VCSE Community and Partnership Grant - Print version

Go back to web version

What is the VCSE Community and Partnership Grant?

Coventry City Council is offering grant funding to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to deliver community-based activity that helps Coventry residents become more financially resilient.

This VCSE Community and Partnership programme is part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) and is designed to support longer-term financial resilience, rather than direct crisis intervention. Coventry City Council is investing in activity that helps residents better manage their finances, withstand financial shocks, improve financial stability and reduce the likelihood of needing crisis support in the future.

What is financial resilience?

Financial resilience refers to the ability of individuals and households to withstand, adapt to, and recover from financial shocks, such as sudden income loss or unexpected expenses. Building financial resilience enables individuals to manage financial pressures more effectively, reduces the likelihood of future crisis, and supports long-term wellbeing.

 What funding is available?

The Fund will offer 3 tiers of grants:

  • Tier 1: up to £1,000
  • Tier 2: £1,001 to £5,000
  • Tier 3: £5,001 to £10,000

Grants must be spent within 12 months of award. Projects must start within three months of receiving funds and retrospective funding is not permitted. The level of funding applied for will determine the level of detail required at application stage and the associated monitoring requirements.

To ensure we can assess applications fairly and provide a balanced allocation of funding, we will operate a series of funding rounds throughout the duration of the fund.

The planned application windows are:

  • Round 1: 1 October 2026 to 30 November 2026
  • Round 2: 1 January 2027 to 28 February 2027

Who can apply for funding?

Funded activity must demonstrate a clear benefit to Coventry residents and should support individuals and communities to take practical steps to improve their financial resilience.

Projects funded through this programme must contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

  • reduced experience of material deprivation
  • reduced reliance on emergency food provision
  • increased access to appropriate and quality advice services
  • increased financial resilience, including improved savings and budgeting capability
  • reduction in household or priority debt
  • maximisation of household income
  • reduced need for crisis or emergency financial support, including crisis payments and housing payments

Eligible organisations must:

  • be a voluntary, community or not-for-profit group based in or delivering services within Coventry
  • have a management committee of at least 3 unrelated people
  • have a signed constitution or governing document
  • hold a bank account requiring 2 signatories and/or dual authorisation

Please see our VCSE Community and Partnership Grant Guide Documents [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/vcse-community-resilience-grant/3] for full information.

#CovConnects

How to apply for funding

How to make an application for funding

Before applying, please read the VCSE Community and Partnership Grant guidance to check that your organisation and proposed project meet the fund requirements.

To apply, email the Community Resilience team at CommunityResilience@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:CommunityResilience@coventry.gov.uk].

You will then receive an acknowledgement email containing a link for you to upload the following documents:

  • a completed application
  • your organisation’s governing document
  • a recent bank statement showing:
    • the organisation’s name, which must match the name on the application
    • the bank name and logo
    • the organisation’s address
    • the account number and sort code

Alternative application route

We want this funding programme to be as accessible as possible. We recognise that different organisations have different resources, skills and ways of working.

You do not need to submit your application using the standard application form if another format works better for your organisation.

We are happy to accept applications in a range of formats, including but not limited:

  • written application (maximum of 6 pages)
  • slideshow application (maximum of 10 slides)
  • audio recordings (maximum of 10 minutes)
  • video recordings (maximum of 10 minutes)

Whichever format you choose, your application must answer all of the questions included in the application form and provide enough information for us to assess your proposal fairly.

Successful applications

Successful applications will clearly demonstrate how their project will help Coventry residents become more financially resilient and reduce the likelihood of future financial hardship.

Projects should be preventative and focus on building the knowledge, skills, confidence, and support networks that enable individuals and communities to better manage financial pressures.

Strong applications will:

  • demonstrate a clear need for the proposed activity within Coventry communities
  • show how the project will support residents to improve their financial resilience and long term financial stability
  • contribute to 1 or more of the fund's intended outcomes
  • deliver measurable benefits for residents and demonstrate how these outcomes will be achieved
  • build on community strengths, partnerships, and local networks to maximise impact
  • demonstrate value for money through a clear, realistic and proportionate budget
  • show how the project will create a lasting impact beyond the funding period through increased skills, confidence, knowledge, community capacity, or improved access to ongoing support

We are particularly interested in supporting projects that reach underserved communities, test innovative approaches, strengthen local support networks, and help residents take practical action to improve their financial wellbeing.

Funding process

To help ensure funding is awarded fairly and supports activities that deliver the greatest benefit to Coventry residents, all applications go through a simple assessment process.

Step 1 - discuss your project idea

Organisations are encouraged to contact the Community Resilience Team before applying. We can discuss your proposal, provide guidance on eligibility, and help ensure your project aligns with the objectives of the Fund.

Step 2 - submit your application

Complete the application and provide all required supporting documentation, including your governing document and a recent bank statement showing your organisation's details. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Step 3 - assessment

Applications will be assessed against the aims of the Fund, including how the proposed activity will improve the financial resilience of Coventry residents, demonstrate local need, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Step 4 - funding decision

Applicants will normally be informed of the outcome within approximately 4 weeks of the funding round closing. Successful organisations will receive a Grant Agreement and information on the next steps required before payment can be made.

Step 5 - grant payment and delivery

Funding is paid in advance of project delivery following approval of the application, completion of due diligence checks, receipt of a signed Grant Agreement, and verification of bank details. Projects must begin within three months of receiving funding and all grant funding must be spent within 12 months of award.

Step 6 - monitoring and evaluation

Successful organisations will be asked to provide proportionate monitoring information to demonstrate the impact of their project and how funding has benefited Coventry residents. Reporting requirements will vary depending on the size of the grant awarded.

Please see our VCSE Community and Partnership Grant Guide Documents [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/vcse-community-resilience-grant/3] for full information.

#CovConnects

Grant documentation

#CovConnects

Go back to web version