Thriving communities fund

We’re committed to improving the wellbeing of our customers and supporting communities to thrive.  Our Thriving Communities Fund offers funding that empowers local not-for-profit groups and organisations to create sustainable, inclusive communities people are proud to live in.

The fund is now open for applications and offering grants between £1000 and £5000. 

We’ll prioritise projects that directly benefit SNG customers. We’re especially interested in organisations that show a strong understanding of existing local issues, and those that deliver services which compliment current services, address unmet needs, and collaborate with others to create lasting impact. Projects supporting diverse, unrepresented or vulnerable groups are particularly encouraged, as well as projects focusing on youth and ageing well.

In 2026/27, we will be focusing our funding on the following priorities:

Health, wellbeing and social inclusion

• Creating healthier, more inclusive communities
• Supporting intergenerational connections
• Encouraging young people to achieve their goals and plan for the future
• Promoting mental and emotional wellbeing (including creative and holistic approaches)
• Encouraging healthy lifestyles through sport and physical exercise

Community safety

• Innovative approaches to tackling anti-social behaviour
• Crime reduction
• Safer neighbourhoods

To be eligible, groups must deliver services within an SNG community and clearly show how their project will benefit and engage SNG customers or the wider community.

How long do I have to apply?

The fund will be split into two rounds. The first round will be open from 13 July 2026, and close on 18 September 2026. Applications received during this time will be considered at our October panel.

The second round will be open from 9 November 2026 and close on 24 December 2026. Applications received during this time will be considered at our January panel. 

You will be unable to apply outside of the open rounds.

What size grants are available?

Grants of between £1000 and £5,000 are available.

What is the value of the overall funding pot?

£100,000 is available for the Thriving Communities fund, which will be split across the two rounds of funding.

How many grants will be awarded?

We anticipate awarding 20-22 grants in this funding round.

You can only receive one Thriving Communities grant per financial year. If you apply in our first round and are unsuccessful, you may re-apply when we re-open for the second round in November 2026, but we recommend that you ask for some feedback from our Grants team before re-applying so we can support with your application.

Who can apply?

We are funding community groups that are actively engaged with SNG Communities.

Groups will be eligible to receive one Thriving Communities grant per financial year. 

All groups will be checked against the eligibility criteria below.

1. Eligible groups include:
   • Not-for-profit organisations
   • Registered charities
   • Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs)
   • Community interest companies (CICs) limited by guarantee
   • Community and voluntary groups
   • Community benefit societies
   • Social enterprises (not-for-profit)
2. Groups must have a written constitution or governing document that includes the group’s aims/purpose, objectives, and a dissolution clause or asset lock (setting out what would happen to any remaining funds if the group closes).
3. Groups must be governed by a voluntary trustee or management committee with a minimum of three members, at least two of whom are unrelated.
4. Groups must have a bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two unrelated signatories.

We would particularly like to see applications from organisations and projects that have not previously received any SNG funding, however we also welcome applications from organisations who have previously received funding or are existing partners.

You can only receive one Thriving Communities grant per financial year. If you apply in our first round and are unsuccessful, you may re-apply when we re-open for the second round in November 2026, but we recommend that you ask for some feedback from our Grants team before re-applying so we can support with your application. 

Is my project in an SNG Community?

To apply your project must be delivered within in our following locations -  

• BCP – Bournemouth (Boscombe, Kinson, West Howe), Christchurch (Burton and Grange, Christchurch town, Commons), Poole (Canford Heath, Creekmore, Poole Town)
• Bristol - Fishponds, Barton Hill
• Devon - Exeter and Plymouth
• Dorset - North Dorset (Blandford, Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury)
• Gloucestershire - Stroud
• Hertfordshire - Hertford ( Kingsmead and Sele Farm) and Ware (Trinity, Christchurch, Priory)
• Isle of Wight - Ryde, Newport and East Cowes
• London - Brent (Harlesden , Church end, Stonebridge, Kilburn, Wembley) Westminster (Harrow road, Queens Park, Westbourne), Ealing (Rectory Park) and Lambeth (Stockwell Park)
• North Hampshire - Basingstoke
• Oxfordshire - Vale of White Horse (Abingdon, Wantage, Didcot)
• Southampton (Millbrook, Redbridge, Coxford) 
• South Gloucestershire - Charlton Hayes, Stoke Gifford, Lyde Green
• West Berkshire –Newbury and Thatcham
• Wiltshire - Swindon

Your project must be delivered in a community where we have homes, directly benefit SNG customers and you must be able to demonstrate how you will engage with and benefit SNG customers.

An interactive MAP  is available to help you demonstrate this detail in your application i.e. what areas your participants come from and how these fall with SNG Communities. The search function on the right hand side can be used to enter the postcode of your project. 

Before you apply

We will undertake core due diligence checks.

We will ask you to provide:

Your governing document (one of the following):

• A constitution (for unincorporated associations or charities)
• Articles of association (for CICs or companies limited by guarantee)
• A trust deed (for charitable trusts)

Your most recent accounts

For more information about our due diligence process, see What we will ask for & Why .

How do I apply?

To apply, you will need to set up an account and create a project page via our partners at ActionFunder . ActionFunder is a digital community engagement platform that connects funding bodies with non-profits with the goal of supporting thriving local communities.

Visit our Thriving Communities Fund page on Action Funder where you can apply for this fund

Once your project is set up you will see funds available to you and be matched to suitable opportunities. However this fund is an ACTIVE APPLY FUND – which means you must select the fund on ActionFunder and APPLY as your projects will not automatically match.

Organisations must be able to evidence how funding will benefit and engage SNG customers/the wider community working within the defined SNG communities listed above. You should show how you will actively engage local residents and create positive impact at a neighbourhood/hyper local level.

There is helpful guidance in the ActionFunder Help Centre .

The following articles will help guide you through the process:

1. Creating a project
2. Working Offline on Your Project Application

An offline version of the application form can be obtained by emailing: grants@sng.org.uk

Budget - what can be funded and what detail should I include?

We encourage applications for projects that can demonstrate that they are being delivered within the SNG locations listed above, are directly engaging with SNG customers and communities and are focussed on the fund themes. 

We’re especially interested in initiatives that show a strong understanding of existing local services, complement current services, address unmet needs, and collaborate with others to create lasting impact. Projects supporting diverse, marginalised, unrepresented or vulnerable groups are particularly encouraged, as well as projects focusing on youth and ageing well.

Please note we are able to fund:

• Staffing/volunteer costs 
• Transport 
• Venue hire 
• Refreshments and health food provision 
• Other direct project costs 
• Core costs/overheads (up to a maximum 10%) of your total project cost 
• Capital/equipment items associated with your project (up to a total of 25% of your total project cost) 

Please include as much detail as possible in your budget.

Making a grant decision

This is an open application programme. This fund is an ACTIVE APPLY FUND – which means you must select the fund on ActionFunder and APPLY as your projects will not automatically match.

The fund will be split into two rounds. The first round will be open from 13 July 2026, and close on 18 September 2026. Applications received during this time will be considered at our October panel.

The second round will be open from 9 November 2026 and close on 24 December 2026. Applications received during this time will be considered at our January panel. 

You will be unable to apply outside of the open rounds. 

If you are offered funding, it takes an average of two weeks to complete due diligence and transfer funds. Please monitor your emails (including your junk folder) for updates from ActionFunder. The sooner you accept the offer and provide the requested information; the sooner funding can be released.

You can only receive one Thriving Communities grant per financial year. If you apply in our first round and are unsuccessful, you may re-apply when we re-open for the second round in November 2026, but we recommend that you ask for some feedback from our Grants team before re-applying so we can support with your application. 

Reporting requirements

If your application is successful and you receive funding, you will be required to meet our reporting requirements. You will be asked to complete an end-of-project report proportionate to the grant size. 

You will be notified of reporting requirements through the ActionFunder platform when funding is awarded.

We would also welcome updates throughout the project via ActionFunder, including what has gone well and any challenges. You will be able to post comments, videos and photos to keep us updated.