Community events

The council’s 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 Events funding theme will support events that bring communities together and celebrate our diversity, as well as national and regional celebrations.

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

What outcomes do we want to achieve?

The aim of this grant is to provide support to organisations who are arranging events that bring communities together, celebrate our diversity, as well as national and regional celebrations. The desired outcomes of this grant are:

• To bring people together from different backgrounds to spend time with each other and improve community cohesion
• For the community to have the opportunity to celebrate the national and regional events that are important to them
• For more residents to have the opportunity to get involved in community life by planning and leading community events
• To celebrate the diversity of the borough

Eligibility

Funding is available to organisations and groups that can show a clear connection to Tower Hamlets with an income of below £150,000. Applicants will also need to meet at least one of the below 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 (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 Community Events funding theme is £100,000 per year. For this funding theme you can apply for a maximum amount of £2,500.

Your organisation can only receive one grant 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?

Funding can be used for:

• staff wages associated with community events
• event logistics such as venue hire, equipment hire, signage, permits
• event activities, such as performances
• promotion and marketing
• making events accessible and inclusive
• volunteer support
• refreshments
• insurance

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

What can the funding not be used for?

Funding cannot be used for:

• events that do not meet the aims and objectives of Community Events funding theme. Please see “What outcomes do we want to achieve” section above
• general operating costs such as rent, utilities or administrative costs
• long-term projects. These may include
  • events that take place outside of a 12 month period from the day the award notification is received by the organisation
  • outcomes of events that cannot be measured within a 12 month period
  • iutcomes of events which are not immediate
• alcohol
• capital or major building works
• general charitable appeals
• to pay back debt or cover past expenditure.

If you are unsure whether your event would be classed as a long-term project or not, please contact us via email at vcs@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

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.

Organising events in parks and open spaces

Remember to consider any permissions you will need to deliver the event and ensure this is part of your planning process. 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

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, by 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 are the details of your event?
• What impact will the event have on residents?
• How will your event improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the borough?
• Your organisations track record of delivering similar events
• Budget and resources plan

Access the portal

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