News article

The Leeds Fund is now open for applications!

The Leeds Fund grants are aimed at smaller and emerging Leeds-based community organisations or groups who may not be able to access larger grants programmes. They can be used to part-fund or fully-fund a variety of activities that will enable organisations to support their communities. Both Small and Microgrants are available.

Small Grants

Key information

• We actively welcome more applications from and/or benefitting people under-represented in our grant making: LGBTQIA+, racially minoritised, d/Deaf or disabled people. We plan to award at least 20% of the available funds to applications that support these communities.
• Organisations must have an income over £75,000 and under £150,000 in the most recent financial year to be eligible for this fund. Smaller organisations should apply for The Leeds Fund Microgrants.
• Activity must be based in Leeds, and applicants must be based in, or have a demonstrable connection to, Leeds communities.
• Only one application per organisation/group can be considered per round.

Examples of activity that can be funded

• Organisational development aimed at increasing your organisation’s capacity and/or developing strategies
• One-off projects or expanding existing activity
• Activity that will make your group or organisation stronger, such as training for staff and volunteers, time for policy or process development, employability programmes, consultations on areas like marketing, and testing new activity.
• Work on issues that are important to your community, such as: developing health and wellbeing; providing new experiences; creating safe and friendly communities; learning new skills.

These are just examples however. You will know best what is needed for you to support and empower your communities, and we welcome applications for a wide range of activities. Priority will be given to applications that will develop organisational resilience.

Grant size: Up to £5,000

Location: Leeds

Duration: up to 1 year

Deadline: 20/10/2026 at 12 noon

Decisions: February 2027

Read more and apply here

Microgrants

Key information

• We actively welcome more applications from and/or benefitting people under-represented in our grant making: LGBTQIA+, racially minoritised, d/Deaf or disabled people. We plan to award at least 20% of the available funds to applications that support these communities.
• Grants of up to £500 are available for informal, unconstituted groups.
• Grants of up to £2,500 are available for formally constituted organisations.
• Organisations must have an income under £75,000 in the most recent financial year to be eligible.
• Activity must be based in Leeds, and applicants must be based in, or have a demonstrable connection to, Leeds communities.
• Only one application per organisation/group can be considered per round.
• Priority for funding will be given to organisations established in the last 5 years.

Examples of activity that can be funded

• Organisational development aimed at increasing your organisation’s capacity and/or developing strategies
• One-off projects or expanding existing activity
• Activity that will make your group or organisation stronger, such as training for staff and volunteers, time for policy or process development, employability programmes, consultations on areas like marketing, and testing new activity.
• Work on issues that are important to your community, such as: developing heath and wellbeing; providing new experiences; creating safe and friendly communities; learning new skills.

These are just examples however. You will know best what is needed for you to support and empower your communities, and we welcome applications for a wide range of activities. Priority will be given to applications that will develop organisational resilience.

Grant size: Up to £2,500 | Up to £500 for unconstituted groups

Location: Leeds

Duration: up to 1 year

Deadline: 20/10/2026 at 12 noon

Decisions: February 2027

Read more and apply here