Community Plus Fund

We'd love to hear about your idea. Community Plus can help you develop your project, connect you with local organisations, resources and signpost you to additional funding or specialist advice. We also encourage you to speak with your ward councillors and TSL , who may be able to offer further support.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate community need, build on local strengths and assets, involve local people in shaping the project, and show how the project will make a lasting difference.

To ensure funding has the greatest impact, we will not normally fund:

• Activities or projects already funded by Kirklees Council where this would duplicate funding.
• Repeat funding for the same Community Plus Fund project.
• Projects that duplicate existing provision in the same area without demonstrating additional need or added value.
• Core running costs beyond the permitted contribution (up to 20% of the total grant).
• Contingency funding or requests for additional funding once a grant has been awarded.
• Repayment of loans, interest payments, debt, deficits or gambling-related activities.
• Food, toiletries or other goods for free distribution to the public (unless specifically agreed as an essential part of project delivery). Community Plus is intended to build community capacity rather than provide emergency aid.
• Major capital works, building refurbishment, ongoing maintenance or large equipment purchases.
• Religious worship, political activities or party-political campaigning (although faith organisations are welcome to apply for projects that benefit the wider community).
• Projects that have already taken place or costs incurred before the grant is awarded.

If you are unsure whether your project or proposed costs are eligible, please contact the Community Plus team before submitting your application. We are happy to discuss your ideas and help you determine whether the Fund is the right fit.

Registering with Kirklees Council's Grants Access Point (GAP) helps us ensure organisations have appropriate governance arrangements in place. Registration can take several weeks, so we recommend completing this as early as possible. Bids under £1,000 do not need GAP registration.

We fund projects lasting up to 24 months.

If your project involves working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, you'll need appropriate safeguarding arrangements, including Enhanced DBS checks where required. We make ask to see copies of your DBS documentation.

You can include funding for a salary as part of a project.

Yes you can include volunteer expenses. You must include a breakdown in your bid and if funded, produce receipts where possible. Mileage should not exceed the current Kirklees Council mileage rate.

Local councillors will be made aware of your funding application.

Eligible applications are considered by a Panel of Kirklees Council managers, VCS representatives and other partners. The Panel is chaired by a Community Plus Service Manager. The Panel considers how well each application meets the Community Plus Fund criteria, the difference it will make locally and whether it offers good value for money.

After Panel, we contact you, usually within 1-2 weeks to let you know the outcome.

Grants under £5,000 are paid in full into your bank account approximately 10 working days after we receive your signed Grant Agreement.

Any underspend must be returned to the council. By exception, we may consider an underspend being used for other purposes depending on purpose and amount.

You cannot re-apply for another Community Plus Fund grant within 12 months of the end date of your funded project.

You can appeal against the Panel decision, however, appeals can only be made where you believe there has been a significant error in the application process. They cannot be used to submit new evidence or request the Panel to reconsider its judgement.

People in Kirklees are as well as possible for as long as possible.

What we are aiming to achieve

• People have access to opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing.
• Support help and advice for people in the communities where they live.
• Protection of the public's health through education, support and inclusive interventions.

For example:

• Bringing people together around shared interests that improve wellbeing and reduce isolation.
• Supporting local people to lead community activities that encourage healthier lifestyles.
• Developing peer-led wellbeing, walking, gardening, arts or physical activity groups.
• Helping communities make better use of local spaces, green spaces and community assets to improve wellbeing.
• Building stronger neighbourhood connections that increase belonging, inclusion and pride in place.
• Encouraging people with lived experience to shape activities that improve health and wellbeing for others.

People in Kirklees live independently and have control over their lives.

What we are aiming to achieve

• Joined up and personalised support which enables independence, draws on support from their communities and prevents or delays inappropriate admission to hospital or long-term care.
• People can successfully manage the changes in their lives. People live within a supportive community.

For example:

• Helping people identify and build on their own strengths, skills, interests and existing support networks.
• Connecting people with community groups, neighbours and local organisations that increase independence.
• Strengthening informal community support so people rely more on local relationships and less on formal services where appropriate.
• Encouraging people to contribute to their community by sharing their own knowledge, skills and experience.
• Supporting communities to create practical solutions that enable people to remain independent for longer.
• Helping people develop confidence to make informed decisions and solve problems using their own strengths and community resources.

People have aspiration to achieve ambitions through education, training, employment & learning.

What we're aiming to achieve

• Confident individuals who are able to improve their lives through training and employment.
• A highly skilled population able to secure good jobs now and in the future. Resilient individuals who are able to deal with complex life situations and maintain stability and effective relationships.

For example:

• Enabling people to discover and use their talents, skills and lived experience to benefit themselves and others.
• Creating opportunities for people to gain confidence through volunteering, peer support and community leadership.
• Helping people develop skills through community participation that can lead to education, training or employment.
• Supporting residents to design and lead projects that address local challenges and create new opportunities.
• Developing local community capacity by supporting new volunteers, community champions and emerging leaders.
• Encouraging people of all ages to recognise their potential and contribute positively to their community.