Community Fund

Round 6 of the Community Fund is currently open for application.

The fund is generated from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy which is charged on new developments in the borough. Community and voluntary sector groups can apply for funding towards projects which are infrastructure based and aimed at relieving the demands placed on a local area by new development within Richmond.

Application stages and key dates

 There are two stages.

Stage 1 - Expression of interest

• Closing date: 5pm on Tuesday 6 May 2025
• Outcome: Expression of interests will be evaluated against the eligibility criteria, and we aim to inform applicants if they are being invited to submit a stage 2 application within 3 weeks of submission.

Stage 2 - Main application - by invitation only

• Closing date: 5pm on Tuesday 1 July 2025
• Outcome: Early December 2025

Meet the funders events

We will be holding online events for groups to find out more about the Community Fund and the support available. The sessions will last approximately 45 minutes.

Event dates:

• Tuesday 18 March at 4pm
• Wednesday 26 March at 6pm
• Wednesday 2 April at 10.30am

To sign up to attend one of the events, email voluntarysector@richmond.gov.uk with your preferred date and time, your name and organisation and we will be in touch with a Microsoft Teams meeting link shortly before the event. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, your organisation must:

• Provide services or activities benefiting the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and its residents
• Be not for profit and constituted
• Be financially solvent
• Have at least three unrelated, non-cohabiting board members or trustees
• Have been in operation for at least two years.

Refer to the Community Fund round 6 general guidance notes for details on eligibility and who can and cannot apply.

Fund priority and objectives 

The Community Fund must be used to fund the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure, or anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area.

Examples of demands that development may place on an area include:

• The need to counter the loss of biodiversity and other negative effects on the environment caused by development, including pollution
• Issues related to high population density such as heightened crime, including antisocial behaviour and littering, and pressure on waste management and food production systems
• The need for community cohesion to support different communities to share spaces and resources
• The need for community venues for events, activities and other opportunities
• The need for activities that support education, culture, and physical and mental wellbeing in the area
• The need for high-quality outdoor space, especially where outdoor space is being lost during development
• The need to facilitate safe and easy movement through the area, such as good walking routes, cycle paths and community bus services • An increased cost of living and impact on community assets

Please refer to the Community Fund round 6 general guidance notes for examples of physical and social infrastructure and what we do and do not fund.

How much you can apply for

To provide a substantial funding stream for all areas, the borough has been divided into three cluster areas: East, West and Ham and Petersham.

Ham and Petersham have a ratified Neighbourhood Plan which sets out a vision and objectives to help shape the future of the area. Refer to the plan for the boundary of the Neighbourhood Plan area.

Cluster area	Wards	Amount available
East of the borough	North Richmond, South Richmond, East Sheen, Mortlake & Barnes Common, Barnes, Kew, Richmond Riverside	£413,000
West of the borough	Hampton North, Hampton, Fulwell & Hampton Hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick & South Teddington, South Twickenham, West Twickenham, Heathfield, Whitton, St Margarets & North Twickenham, Twickenham Riverside	£482,000
Ham and Petersham Neighbourhood Plan Area	Refer to the plan for the boundary of the Neighbourhood Plan area	£110,000

Applicants can apply for a minimum of £20,000 and the request must not exceed the total amount available for your cluster area. We anticipate that demand will exceed the funding available.

How to apply

The application is in two stages. Read the Community Fund round 6 general guidance notes carefully and check that your project is eligible and permissions are in place before applying.

Stage 1 - Expression of interest

Complete the Community Fund Round 6 Expression of Interest form along with required supporting documentation to be submitted by email. 

Submit the form via email by 5pm on 6 May 2025.

Expression of interests will be evaluated against the eligibility criteria and we aim to inform applicants if they are being invited to submit a stage 2 application within 3 weeks of submission. 

The purpose of this stage is to check the eligibility and feasibility of the proposed project. Applicants will only be invited to submit a Stage 2 application if the following criteria are met in the expression of interest stage:

• The applicant is eligible for funding in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out above for the fund 
• The applicant is financially solvent and holds a level of reserves which is within its reserves policy or have a valid reason otherwise 
• Evidence that full permissions to carry out the proposed works have been obtained or are expected imminently 
• The proposed project meets regulations for the ‘Neighbourhood’ element of CIL 
• The project can feasibly start within a reasonable timeframe 

Once submitted, your expression of interest will be shared with local ward councillors. Although securing ward councillor endorsement ahead of submitting an application is not a requirement as per previous rounds, applicants are encouraged to discuss the proposed project with their ward councillors.

If your application is successful at the expression of interest stage, you will be invited to submit a Stage 2 application.

An invitation to submit a Stage 2 application is not a guarantee of funding.

Stage 2 - Main application – by invitation only 

Complete the Community Fund Stage 2 Application form and submit it along with required supporting documentation to be submitted by email. You should read the Guide to completing the Community Fund Stage 2 Application.

Submit the form via email by 5pm on 1 July 2025.

Stage 2 applications will be evaluated against the grant fund priorities and criteria and funding decisions will be made by our Finance, Policy and Resources Committee. We aim to notify applicants of the outcome in early December 2025.

A more detailed application will be required at Stage 2 to include:

• Full details of the use of the facility and how the local community will benefit from it 
• Demonstration of the need and proof of support from the community for your project 
• A full and complete breakdown of all costs including quotations for the work 
• A project plan / milestones

Contact details 

Voluntary Sector Team: voluntarysector@richmond.gov.uk

Additional support for your application

Richmond CVS is the local voluntary sector umbrella body which provides support, advice and training in all aspects of charity, community and voluntary activity in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. They can provide specific support to help you develop and plan your project, as well as provide feedback on funding applications. For more information, email action@richmondcvs.org.uk.

Habitats and Heritage is a local charity that assists people and organisations who protect and enhance the environment. They help environmental groups to start, operate, find volunteers, raise funds, get insured, share good practices and collaborate. For more information, visit the Habitats and Heritage website.

Previous rounds

Read about the community projects previously supported by the Community Fund:

• Round one
• Round two
• Round three
• Round four
• Round five