Backing Greenstead Fund launches on Tuesday 20th October

Our launch event

📅 Tuesday 20th October 2026
🕓 4pm – 6pm
📍 Greenstead Community Centre

Drop in at any time to find out how the fund works, get help with your application, or ask about becoming a Community Backer. You don’t need to book, and you don’t need a fully formed idea.

What is the Backing Greenstead Fund?

The Backing Greenstead Fund is a community investment programme, as part of Pride in Place Greenstead. It puts real money and real decisions into the hands of people who live and work here.

This isn’t a traditional grants scheme run from behind a desk. Greenstead residents choose which projects get funded.

The fund has three aims:

• Back local ideas: support practical, community-led projects that start in Greenstead.

• Share local decisions: give residents a genuine say in where the money goes.

• Build something lasting: set up a way of working that keeps backing local priorities for years to come.

How much is available?

The first round has £20,000 to give out, with awards of around £1,500 per project.

Who can apply?

• Individuals, informal community groups, and organisations of any size based in or serving Greenstead.

• You don’t need to be a registered charity.

• If you don’t have a group bank account, we can help match you with a local “host organisation” to look after the money for you.

• Each application needs one named person responsible for the project.

What can be funded?

Practical, community-led projects that take place in Greenstead or clearly benefit it. The money can cover running costs, such as venue hire, materials, training or sessional staff, and equipment.

Your idea doesn’t have to fit a set theme. If it’s good for Greenstead, we want to hear about it.

The fund can’t pay for party political or religious activity, for services the council or NHS should already provide, or for costs you’ve already spent.

Help with your application

We want applying to be simple and welcoming, especially for people who have never applied for funding before. The launch event on Tuesday 20th October (4pm – 6pm, Greenstead Community Centre) is our Idea to Application drop-in. Come along for one-to-one help turning your idea into an application, online or on paper.

Become a Community Backer

Community Backers are the heart of the fund. They are Greenstead residents who volunteer a little of their time to read applications and decide, together, which projects get backed.

You don’t need any experience of grants, finance or committees. Just care about Greenstead. We’ll give you training, plain-English information and support throughout.

To make sure the panel reflects the whole community, Backers are chosen through a fair, jury-style selection, not first come, first served. We especially want to hear from people who don’t usually get a say in decisions like this.

We’ll do everything we can to remove barriers to taking part:

• sessions at different times, during the day, in the evening, online and in person

• travel expenses paid

• childcare or caring costs covered on request

• support for language, mobility, sensory or learning needs

Interested? Get in touch. Fill in the contact form on this website, email samgood@community360.org.uk, or come and chat to us at the launch on 20th October.

What happens next?

• 20th October: the fund opens, with a launch event and application help

• 18th November: Application close

• 18th November - 2nd December: Community Backers shortlist projects and decide awards

• w/c 7th December : successful projects announced

We can’t fund every good idea through this fund alone. That’s why we’re working with other funding partners to support as many applications as possible. If your application isn’t successful this time, these partners may be able to help, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Have an idea for Greenstead? This is your chance to make it happen. We hope to see you on 20th October.

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