Local Trust

Could Local Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £500 – £20,000
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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localtrust.org.uk

About Local Trust

Local Trust is a UK-registered charity that runs the Big Local programme, a long-term place-based initiative supporting pre-selected deprived areas across England. Established to empower residents, the Trust's mission is to help communities identify local needs and take action in response to those needs, building skills and confidence so that communities can continue to respond in the future. The Trust values resident-led decision-making and provides unconditional funding, trusting communities to prioritise what matters most to them. Its funding character is rooted in partnership, learning, and asset-based development, fostering resilient neighbourhoods through flexible support.

What Local Trust funds

Local Trust funds a wide range of activities within designated Big Local neighbourhoods, including health, youth services, environment, and community cohesion projects. The Trust supports work that helps communities make a difference to the needs they prioritise and ensures people feel their area is an even better place to live. Funding is unconditional and resident-led, meaning local partnerships decide how to invest in their area. The programme covers 150 pre-selected Big Local areas across England, focusing on place-based change that responds to local priorities rather than prescribed themes.

Who can apply

Local Trust funds community groups working within designated Big Local neighbourhoods. Eligible organisations include registered charities, community groups, community interest companies, and social enterprises. The Trust prioritises grassroots organisations rooted in or serving these local areas, with no strict income thresholds. Applicants must align with the local priorities set by each area's resident-led partnership. The Trust does not restrict applications based on religious context, and funding is available to groups that reflect the community's own ambitions.

What Local Trust doesn't fund

Local Trust does not fund activities that replace statutory funding meeting a statutory obligation. The Big Local programme cannot be used to substitute for government or local authority responsibilities. Additionally, the Trust does not support individuals, businesses, or national programmes, and activities must take place within designated Big Local zones.

How they like to fund

Local Trust provides long-term, multi-year funding through the Big Local programme, with grants that are unconditional and resident-led. The Trust supports both project costs and core costs, and funding is flexible to allow communities to respond to local needs. Unsolicited applications are accepted, but organisations apply directly via their local Big Local partnership's bespoke processes. The Trust's approach is partnership-based, emphasising capacity building and collaborative governance support.

How much does Local Trust give?

Local Trust runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 12 sourced facts

Big Local programmeCurrently closed

Typically £1,000

By invitation only
Multi-year funding

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Local Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

["communities being better able to identify local needs and take action in response to these needs","people having increased skills and confidence so that they can continue to identify and respond to local needs in the future","the community making a difference to the needs it prioritises","people feeling that their area is an even better place to live"]

The full exclusions list (1)

Big Local funding cannot replace statutory funding that meets a statutory obligation.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

CommunityChildren & youthHealthEnvironment

How to apply to Local Trust

Local Trust takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: by invitation only.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Local Trust's application asks

We hold the question from Local Trust's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“We are particularly interested in applications which encourage more activities and get more going on in the area; develop community spirit; encourage creativity; could lead to enterprise or bigger things.”

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Local Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Local Trust provide?

Local Trust runs one grant programme — Big Local programme: Typically £1,000.

Where does Local Trust fund charities?

Local Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Local Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Local Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Local Trust not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Big Local funding cannot replace statutory funding that meets a statutory obligation.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Local Trust?

Local Trust takes applications via online form. Published programme route: by invitation only.