Community Start Up & Support Fund

Have an idea that could bring people together, support your community or create new local activities?

The Community Start Up & Support Fund provides small grants to support community-led projects and activities that make a positive difference to local residents. The programme is designed to help individuals, community groups and organisations develop new activities, respond to local needs, bring people together and strengthen community connections.

The programme is targeted at projects benefiting residents living in:

📍 Kingshurst
📍 Fordbridge
📍 Smith's Wood
📍 Chelmsley Wood West
📍 Solihull Lodge

Funding can be used to support a wide range of projects, including community events, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing activities, creative projects, skills development and other initiatives that benefit local people.

We particularly welcome projects that:

Respond to an identified local need.
Increase opportunities for community participation and volunteering.
Bring people together and reduce social isolation.
Support people of different ages and backgrounds.
Create new community activities and opportunities.
Address gaps in existing provision and strengthen community connections.

If you have an idea that could benefit your community, we encourage you to get in touch with the Community Development Team to discuss your proposal: Email: cdt@solihull.gov.uk

Small grants - Big community impact

Funding available

Grants up to £750
Applications considered on a rolling basis
Monthly assessment panels
First come, first served basis

Who Can Apply?

Community groups
Resident groups
Charities and voluntary organisations
Not-for-profit organisations
Informal groups and individuals working with and supported by the Community Development Team

Individuals and informal groups may be eligible for support where they are working with the Community Development Team to develop a community project. In some circumstances, funding may be administered through an appropriate partner organisation acting on behalf of the applicant.

How to Apply

1️⃣ Submit an Expression of Interest via email to: cdt@solihull.gov.uk
2️⃣ Discuss your idea with the Community Development Team
3️⃣ Complete a short application form
4️⃣ Applications reviewed monthly

Important Information

Successful applicants may be asked to provide evidence of appropriate insurance, safeguarding and other compliance arrangements where relevant to their project. Successful applicants will also be asked to provide a short update on their project and, where possible, photographs showing how the funding has been used.

Apply

Before applying, please read the fund guidance and eligibility criteria in the FAQs on this page, or download the document.

Submit an online application by clicking 'Complete form' at the bottom of this page.

For further information, please contact: cdt@solihull.gov.uk