Second year of £1 million Community Grant Fund open for applications

The fund, which was approved by the Cabinet, on 15 July 2024, aims to strengthen working relationships between the council and parishes and towns in the Harborough district and enable delivery of projects and initiatives to benefit communities at a local level.

Parish and town councils have until 26 October 2025 to apply for this first round of funding which will be considered by Cabinet Sub-Committee Grants on 25 November 2025. 

As before, the Community Grant Fund has been split between towns, large villages, medium villages, villages close to urban settlements and smaller villages across the Harborough district, ensuring more communities have access to some funding.

Applications for funding will only be accepted once an organisation has sought the views of one of their ward councillors. Community organisations must first obtain a letter of support from their town or parish council meeting.

For Market Harborough, the ten ward councillors will consider applications and make recommendations via the Market Harborough Special Expenses Advisory Panel before consideration at Cabinet Sub-Committee Grants.

Cat Hartley, Director of Communities and Wellbeing, said: “I am delighted that we are providing this scheme again to support our local communities. Through the £1 million Community Grant Fund we have awarded over £850,000 so far to improve parishes and towns.

“I am pleased that the council has been able to preside over lots of applications for worthwhile projects which will leave a lasting legacy. Hearing how the funding makes a difference to people’s lives is very rewarding.”

For more information about the Community Grant Fund, including the full criteria, visit: www.harborough.gov.uk/communitygrants or email communitygrants@harborough.gov.uk