Community groups and voluntary organisations in Chesterfield are being invited to apply for a share of £250,000 in grant funding as applications for the Community Grants Fund Scheme reopen.
Eligible local groups could be awarded funding ranging from £500 to £6,000 – helping them to deliver grassroots projects that will improve life for local people. A portion has also been set aside to help groups deliver larger capital projects of up £50,000.
The Community Grant Fund, delivered by Chesterfield Borough Council, supports local initiatives that strengthen neighbourhoods, promote health and wellbeing, expand volunteering opportunities, and encourage greener choices that help reduce the borough’s environmental impact.
Since the fund launched in 2023, more than £500,000 has been awarded to over 100 groups and is already helping to deliver a wide range of projects across the borough – from establishing foodbanks and creating community hubs, to supporting local events and helping residents develop skills and access employment.
Funding for the Community Grants Fund scheme for 2026 to 2028 is delivered by funds which Chesterfield Borough Council has raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhoods portion, together with funds from Chesterfield Town Board’s Pride in Place programme, which is funded by the UK Government.
Further details on the types of projects that can be funded via the grant scheme and the eligibility criteria can be found at: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/community-grants
Applications are open until Friday 19 June.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “Since the council launched the scheme in 2023, the Community Grants Fund has helped local groups to deliver more than 100 projects that are having a significant impact on our local communities.
“We are pleased that through funding raised through the CIL Neighbourhoods portion, together with funding from the Pride in Place programme, we are able to continue to deliver this scheme and have a further £250,000 available for eligible groups this year, with more to come next year.
“We really are lucky to have so many community groups and voluntary organisations here in Chesterfield that work tirelessly to deliver projects and initiatives and make a real difference to the lives of local people and we’re really proud that we’re able to continue to support them through this scheme.”
Dominic Staniforth, local business leader and Chair of Chesterfield Town Board, said: “Supporting local people to make a real difference in their communities – delivering the things that are important to them – is a key part of the Pride in Place programme, so we’re really pleased to be able to use some of this funding to support local voluntary and community organisations to do just that.
“The Community Grants Fund scheme that Chesterfield Borough Council has successfully delivered for the past three years aligns with these values, and that is why the Chesterfield Town Board took the decision to invest Pride in Place funding into the project – allowing it to support even more fantastic initiatives. We look forward to seeing these grassroot projects come to life.”
The council will continue to provide community development support for group wishing to apply. The team can be contacted at:
Email: communitygrants@chesterfield.gov.uk
Phone: 01246 959657 or 01246 959415
Post: Community Grants Fund
Health and Wellbeing Officer,
Chesterfield Borough Council,
Town Hall,
Chesterfield,
S40 1LP
