Salford Community & Voluntary Services

Salford Community & Voluntary Services (Salford CVS), established in 1919 as part of post-WWI social service efforts and independent since 1973, serves as Salford's principal infrastructure body for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. Based in Eccles with a city-wide remit, it strengthens local social action, community well-being, and voluntary participation through values of inclusivity, collaboration, empowerment, and local leadership. As a membership organisation governed by a local Board of Trustees, it supports over 850 VCSE groups via capacity-building, nationally accredited volunteering brokerage, governance training, and partnerships with bodies like NAVCA, NCVO, and GMCVO.

Salford CVS funds broad, generalist priorities including health, mental wellbeing, social care, youth work, poverty alleviation, employment, education, environment, arts, heritage, housing, inclusion, advocacy, and community safety—targeting all ages and vulnerable Salford residents through projects like mental health recovery, homelessness support, LGBTQ+ initiatives, family aid, and community gardening. Key programmes include the Health and Wellbeing Fund, Women and Girls’ Empowerment Fund, and Early Years Investment Fund, offering project, revenue, small capital, and capacity grants for innovative, user-led, collaborative efforts delivering sustainable local impact.

Eligible applicants are full Salford CVS members: UK-registered charities, CICs, community groups, or social enterprises based in Salford (or with strong delivery track record there), with annual income up to £300,000. Grants range from £250–£10,000 (typically £1,000–£5,000), excluding core costs, food, or statutory services unless justified. Unsolicited applications use downloadable Word forms emailed to grants@salfordcvs.co.uk in rounds—next deadline 30 June 2025 for Health and Wellbeing Round 1—with decisions in 6 weeks; one per organisation yearly. Distinctively, its hyper-local focus, sector leadership, and accessible empowerment set it apart as Salford's pivotal VCSE enabler.