This fund is currently open.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

As part of a wider community foundation initiative to improve and streamline our systems, BLCF is currently in the process of implementing a new CRM system. This update will see a change in how people apply for grants, with applicants needing to register to a new grantseeker portal. The portal will have huge benefits as applicants will be able to see their applications’ status update in real time and reduce some of the existing duplication experienced too.

We are working towards the new system being active around mid to late October this year and the BLCF team will be hosting taster sessions in the near future for groups to understand what the new system looks like and how to use it.

Dates for the taster sessions will be confirmed via email in the near future.

Please be aware that we will stop accepting applications for the Near Neighbours Fund after the 29th September deadline.

Please be assured that this fund WILL re-open for applications as soon as the transition to the new system has been completed. We will ensure to update our website and social media with all relevant information regarding the opening and closing of these funds.

Thank you so much for your patience.

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BLCF GRANTS

Near Neighbours

PLEASE NOTE, we reserve the right to close applications early should the fund be heavily subscribed. Please submit your application as soon as you can.

Please read the criteria document here before applying.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available and will only be considered for charitable organisations delivering work in the following areas:

  • Central Bedfordshire
  • Dacorum
  • Eastern parts of Aylesbury District (Great Brickhill, Wing, Wingrave, Cheddington, Edlesborough and Pitstone).
  • North Herts District
  • St. Albans District
  • Stevenage

For more information, please read the criteria document here.

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Fund Priorities

Please read the criteria document carefully before submitting your Expression of Interest.

The main objectives (summarised) for this fund are:

  • Securing a strong economic recovery
  • Protecting the most disadvantaged
  • Making a child-friendly town or village
  • Becoming greener and more sustainable
  • A strong and empowered community

Applicants will need to demonstrate that their project meets one of the fund priorities outlined above.  For more detailed information about these objectives, please read the criteria document.

 

Meet the Funder

Please join us for our next online Meet the Funder on Tuesday 16th September at 1:30pm – book in here.

 

Expressions of Interest

If you are interested in applying to this fund, please complete our short Expression of Interest form HERE.

PLEASE NOTE, we reserve the right to close applications early should the fund be heavily subscribed. Please submit your application as soon as you can.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is Monday 29th September 2025 (decision-making panel meets late December 2025).

Next Steps

Following the Expression of Interest deadline, and if it is deemed appropriate, a member of the Grants Team may contact applicants to discuss a possible application.

Organisations with prospective applications which closely align with the fund priorities will be invited to make a full application for funding (subject to available funds).

The outcome of these full applications will be decided by a community panel of local residents who meet regularly and best understand the change needed in their local area.

Although the number of applications and success rate always varies, in the last round, 17% of the organisations who submitted Expressions of Interest for our ‘general panel’ funds were invited to make a full application. Of these full applications, 80% were successful in being granted funding.

 

2025 Deadlines

Our Expression of Interest deadlines for 2025 are as follows:

  • 17/01/2025 (decision-making panel meets late March 2025).
  • 14/04/2025 (decision-making panel meets late June 2025).
  • 14/07/2025 (decision-making panel meets late September 2025).
  • 29/09/2025 (decision-making panel meets late December 2025).
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