Community Chest

Our vision is to support and invest in a thriving and diverse voluntary and community sector (VCS) to enable it to improve outcomes for Tower Hamlets residents. 

The Community Chest funding offers small grants to support a wide range of activities, projects, events and workshops.

This information explains how to apply for the Community Chest Fund and build a great application.

What outcomes do we want to achieve?

The outcomes we are aiming to achieve are:

• more residents can take part in community activities
• a wide range of activities are available in communities that meet the needs and interests of residents
• more residents are empowered to deliver community activities in their area
• residents from a diverse background come together to celebrate our diversity.

Eligibility

Funding is available to organisations and groups that can show a clear connection to Tower Hamlets and have an income of below £150,000. Applicants will also need to at least meet one of the following structures: 

• an unregistered voluntary and community group with a constitution  
• a Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs)  
• a registered charity, including Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)  
• a registered not-for-profit company (companies limited by guarantee with no share capital)  
• a registered Community Interest Company (CIC)   
• a faith-based groups, where the funding is for inclusive activity that is open to all.

Funding is not available to:

• individuals
• sole traders
• profit making companies
• political organisations 

How much money is available? 

The total budget for the Mayor’s Community Chests Programme is £100,000 per year. You can apply for maximum amount of £500. Your organisation can only receive two grants from this theme per financial year which runs between 1 April to 31 March. If your application is unsuccessful, you can apply again in the same year in the next funding round.

What can the funding be used for?

Community Chest funding can be used to cover:

• room or venue hire
• transport hire
• refreshments
• insurance costs
• marketing 
• equipment
• costs of workshops or facilitators
• local family fun days and small events.

If you have an idea of something you would like us to fund and you are not sure if it meets the criteria, then please contact the team by emailing vcs@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Organising events in parks and open spaces

If your project includes organising an event in an open space, you must get permission from the landowner.

Apply for the use of Tower Hamlets’ parks and open spaces and street parties.

What can funding not be used for?

• Funding cannot be used for general operating costs such as rent, utilities or administrative costs
• Capital works or major building works
• General charitable appeals
• To pay back debt or cover past expenditure.

Timeline

The bidding period for the grants programme will last for six weeks. All applications submitted by 1 June 2025 will be considered for decision in July 2025. 

When making applications please refer to the timeline for the application deadline, award notification period and project delivery dates. Please apply early and give enough time before your proposed project takes place. This way you know the outcome of your application before your event starts.  

Key dates for round 1 of the 2025/26 financial year

*In the review stage

We are currently reviewing the Mayor’s Small Grants Programme and in consultation with voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations, along with other key stakeholders. This review is part of our commitment to making sure the programme continues to meet the needs of small, not-for-profit groups and organisations.  

Following this consultation, we aim to introduce new and improved changes by June 2025. These updates will help ensure our funding remains relevant, accessible and impactful. This will support the vital work of grassroots organisations across our communities.

Bidding process

To apply you need to complete an application form and provide us with information about your organisation and what you want to use the funding for.

All bids must be submitted online through the council’s online portal, Blackbaud Grant Making (BBGM).  We cannot accept submissions by email, post or by hand. 

Applications will be made on one form with two sections. The first section is about your organisation and the second section is about the project you’re bidding for.

Assessment

Organisation assessment

The organisational assessment is to see if your organisation meets the standards the council expects of organisations it supports with public funds. 

You will need to submit the following documents as part of the organisation assessment: 

• a copy of your constitution or other governance document 
• your address, rental agreement or evidence that you have successfully delivered services in Tower Hamlets for at least one year 
• organisation bank account details
• evidence of income of below £150,000 
• Safeguarding policy 
• Equality and Diversity policy 
• Public Liability insurance

The governance, local connection and managing money criteria are mandatory (pass or fail). If your organisation fails on any of these criteria, you will not be eligible for funding. 

If you do not have a Safeguarding policy, Equality and Diversity policy or Public Liability insurance, you will still be eligible for funding (non-mandatory). A pre-award condition will be in place to ensure outstanding documents are provided should the organisation be recommended for funding.

Project assessment

To assess your project, we will use the following criteria:

• what outcomes do you want to achieve?
• what activities will you do to achieve the outcomes?
• track record
• budget and resources plan

Access the portal

If you are having issues using BBGM please contact us at vcs@towerhamlets.org.uk.