Grants to £5,000

Voluntary and community groups can apply for up to £5,000 – this can be for a single activity or split between multiple activities with a combined maximum total of £5,000. Activities must reduce social and/or economic inequality for Cambridge residents with the greatest need. They can be open to anyone living within the city or alternatively be focused on a particular area or community within Cambridge.

Please note that groups that have already applied to the earlier over £5,000 funding round which closed on 18 September are not eligible to apply for a £5,000 and under grant.

How to apply

Groups can choose to apply to either round one or round two but cannot apply to both rounds. Groups should contact us if they were unsuccessful in the first round and would like to apply to the second round.

Round one 

• Is now closed

Round two 

• Launches on 23 April 2025. The deadline to apply is 3 June 2025.
• Funding will be awarded from July 2025 and must be spent by 31 March 2026.

The application process is via an online application form, go to www.cambridge.gov.uk/community-grants-of-5000-and-under to view the guidelines, access the application form.

Help and support

The Grants team and Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service (CCVS):

• have recorded a webinar which is available on demand from Community Grants of £5,000 and under – Cambridge City Council:
• face-to-face appointments on 7 May 2025 at the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services offices in Arbury Court, Cambridge.

We strongly recommend interested groups attend one of the above sessions to ensure they are familiar with all the changes. Groups should email grants@cambridge.gov.uk or phone 01223 457875 to book onto the webinar or make a face to face appointment or to check if their organisation or activity is eligible.

Awards approval process

Once the deadline has passed and the assessment process has been completed, the funding allocations will be discussed with the Executive Councillor and a summary will be sent to ward councillors for information. The final proposals will then be referred to Julie Cornwell, Community Funding and Voluntary Sector Manager for approval under delegated authority.