Chichester District Council grant programme

What can you apply for?

The council has recently reviewed the grants programme and agreed three new priorities for funding for the financial year 2024/25. We anticipate that there will be a high level of interest in this pot so please be aware that applications must be from organisations delivering projects or services meeting one of these priorities. These are:

Economy - To support viable start-up and existing SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to implement 'growth' projects which require:
relocation and expansion into larger premises within the district or
occupation of long-term vacant commercial premise
Improving places and spaces - Improvements to publicly owned space or built assets that enhance the wellbeing of local residents or the habitats of the district's wildlife
Stronger communities - Funding for established voluntary services delivering projects supporting vulnerable people who have been most impacted by current social and economic pressures. Priority will be given to services that are able to strongly evidence that they are: locally appropriate, they are responding to significant need (particularly where the Council is a referring organisation) and can demonstrate their service's impact.

Your Funding Adviser will be able to talk you through these priorities and we ask anyone interested in the programme to get in touch with us at an early stage.

Programme criteria

Please note that under this programme, grants cannot be sought retrospectively for projects that have already started (or completed). You must wait for written confirmation of the decision on your application and complete the grant offer agreement, before undertaking any associated works.

In addition to the three Priorities for funding, there are seven 'principles' that we look for to help us identify which projects are appropriate for financial support. These funding principles are used in assessing bids and are listed below and are also set out in the Priorities and Principles of Funding document.

All applicants should therefore consider how your project may be addressing the following points:

Will the project increase participation or employment?
Does the project demonstrate working with others?
Does the project have clear objectives and outcomes?
Does the project demonstrate Value for Money?
Is there evidence that the project is needed or addresses a recognised gap in provision?
How have you designed the project to minimise its climate impact?
Is the project ready for implementation?

If you are interested in applying to this scheme, please contact a Funding Adviser who will be able to talk to you about the new programme. Please check the priorities and eligibility guidance as projects which might have been funded under the previous programme may no longer eligible.

Your Funding Adviser will be able to talk you through the 'principles'. We ask every applicant to explain how your project has been designed to minimise its climate impact. The Climate Change Guidance document has been provided to help you think about how to respond to this.

We expect that strong grant applications will demonstrate that the project proposals are based on sound research and have clear evidence to show why they are needed. The guidance document Evidencing Need includes links to helpful resources when you are researching.

Eligibility Guidance Notes (Word doc, 53 KB)

Priorities and principles guidance notes (Word doc, 58 KB)

Climate Change Guidance (Word doc, 69 KB)

Evidencing need (Word doc, 65 KB)

Fast Track grant applications

You can apply for less than £1000 at any time under the 'Fast Track' small grant process. Please be aware that, as the guidance explains, we cannot fund things that have already happened so although we aim for this process to be as quick as possible, applicants are advised to apply at least six weeks before your target timescale.

Up to £1000 guidance 2024 (Word doc, 75 KB)

Up to £1000 application form 2024 (Word doc, 128 KB)

Over £1000 grants

For grants requesting more than £1000, the panel will consider applications on a quarterly basis. The closing dates for bids and the panel when they will be considered are:

Closing date for applications by 5pm	Panel meeting date
Friday 17 May 2024	Wednesday 26 June 2024
Friday 23 August 2024	Wednesday 9 October 2024
Friday 6 December 2024	Wednesday 29 January 2025
Friday 7 February 2025	Wednesday 19 March 2025

As part of the decision process, recommended decisions of the Panel are available on the Council's website after the meeting. However, as this is not a final decision, there is a further 7 working day Call-in period and all grant offers are also subject to signing an Agreement which explains any conditions, applicants should wait for formal confirmation of the decision and not act on any earlier information. We aim to notify you as soon as possible of the outcome.

Over £1000 application form 2024 (Word doc, 137 KB)

Over £1000 guidance 2024 (Word doc, 140 KB)

How to apply

If you are interested in applying to the programme, you must contact a Funding Adviser. The adviser will talk you through eligibility, completing the form and likely timescales. There are several advisers specialising in supporting different types of project.

Please view the Grants and concessions contact section for the relevant contact details. Please email in the first instance including a brief outline of your project and target timescales.

Please note: this programme is likely to be more competitive than the last scheme and we will not be able to support every good project. The advisers will also try to help you identify other possible sources of funding.

Discretionary rate relief

Discretionary rate relief is available to qualifying organisations to reduce liability for non-domestic rates.

For further details please see our Discounts for business rates page.

Grants and concessions policy and reports

Chichester District Council has a long history of awarding appropriate and timely financial support to local businesses, community groups and voluntary organisations and we want to continue this, despite increasing financial constraints. The Policy sets out why the council provides grants and concessions and our aims and objectives in doing so.

Grants Policy 2024 (Word doc, 102 KB)

Annual report

At the end of each financial year, a full report detailing the grants and concessions awarded by Chichester District Council is compiled.

Annual report of Grants and Concessions 2012-2013 (PDF, 266 KB)

Annual report of Grants and Concessions 2015-2016 (Word doc, 1020 KB)

Annual report of Grants and Concessions 2016-2017 (Word doc, 778 KB)

Annual report of Grants and Concessions 2017-2018 (PDF, 965 KB)

Annual Report of Grants and Concessions 2018-2019 (PDF, 2 MB)

Annual report of Grants and Concessions 2020-2021 (Word doc, 1 MB)

Annual report of Grants and Concessions 2020-2021 - Appendix 5 a-d (Word doc, 401 KB)

Grants and concessions contacts

If your group, organisation or business is interested in applying for support, please contact us.

We can give you personal advice about eligibility, completing the application form and submission dates. There are several advisors specialising in supporting different types of project, their contact details are listed below. Please contact the person whose specialism best fits your organisation and project.

If you are unsure on who to contact please email funding@chichester.gov.uk with a brief introduction to your organisation and project idea, and the most appropriate Funding Adviser will be identified and reply to you. Alternatively, you can call 01243 534864.

Funding advisor - business

Name: Derek Irvine

Email: business.support@chichester.gov.uk

Tel: 01243 534711

Funding advisor - sport, arts, leisure and wellbeing groups

Name: Sam Lee

Telephone: 01243 534798

Email: slee@chichester.gov.uk

Funding advisor - community groups and voluntary organisations

Name: Chlöe Williams

Telephone: 01243 534794

Email: community@chichester.gov.uk

Funding advisor - environment and biodiversity

Name: Tom Day

Telephone: 01243 534854

Email: environmentalstrategy@chichester.gov.uk

Funding advisor - town and parish councils

Name: Emma Bishop

Telephone: 01243 834839

Email: community@chichester.gov.uk

Funding advisor - rate reliefs

Name: Jason Barnes

Telephone: 01243 785166 Ext: 3099

Email: jbarnes@chichester.gov.uk

Funding advisor - concessionary rent of council owned premises

Name: Emily Powell

Telephone: 01243 534541

Email: epowell@chichester.gov.uk