Overview
Introduction
The Community Support Grant is designed to assist local community and voluntary sector organisations with a primary focus on community development. We understand that smaller groups are engaging people and connecting them to others; that larger groups are providing support services and creating active citizens and that all groups are adding value through volunteering fundraising and building networks across the council area. In doing so they are contributing to the delivery of the wider strategic (population) outcomes of our Community Plan.
The programme will be opened for application on Monday 16 November 2026, and close on Monday 14 December 2026 at 12 noon. Late applications will not be accepted.
Programme Objectives
This grant scheme aims to assist local community and voluntary sector organisations to:
- Strengthen the ability of community and voluntary sector organisations to operate effectively, by supporting initiatives that enhance governance, leadership, financial management, and sustainability.
- Provide opportunities for staff, volunteers, and community members to gain new skills and knowledge that improve service delivery and community engagement.
- Enable local organisations to design and deliver projects that respond to identified community needs, promote inclusion, and contribute to the overall well-being and resilience of local communities.
Who is eligible?
The Community Support Grant is open to community/voluntary organisations based in and or delivering their services the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area that meet the following criteria:
- An open and accountable governing document (Constitution or Articles and Memorandum of Association, or applicable governing document) that has been properly adopted;
- Has Community Development as the primary focus of the organisation, as outlined in the governing document;
- A bank account in the name of the organisation, which requires at least two (unrelated) signatories;
- An annual set of independently examined financial accounts, endorsed at an Annual General Meeting;
- A Management Committee or Governing Board, elected by its membership at an Annual General Meeting, and elected office bearers;
- Hold appropriate levels of Public Liability Insurance to cover risks associated with the organisation’s activities (minimum £5 million);
- Demonstrate that the organisation has been operational for a minimum period of 12 months.
Ineligible organisations
The Community Support Grant will not be eligible for organisations that:
- Operate for private or commercial gain or propose activity that could reasonably be delivered on a commercial basis.
- Distribute profits, dividends or other financial benefits to members, shareholders or directors. Any surplus generated through the funded activity should be reinvested in the organisation or used to further its stated aims and objectives.
- Do not meet the organisational eligibility requirements.
- Cannot demonstrate that they have been established and operational for a minimum of 12 months.
- Cannot demonstrate that the proposed project will provide a clear benefit to the community or contribute to the aims and objectives of the Community Support Grant.
- Operate on a not-for-profit basis (taken from the governing document). The Council will not fund projects that are primarily commercial or could reasonably be delivered on a commercial basis. Where an applicant is considered, in the Council’s reasonable opinion, to be a de facto commercial organisation, the Council may refuse funding. The Council’s decision is final.
- Are not prepared to share project learning and outcomes with the Council and relevant stakeholders.
- Are classified as Local Authorities and Public Sector organisations.
- Are in poor financial health or cannot show robust financial control.
- Do not demonstrate clear potential to deliver benefit to the public, either in the short or long term.
- Applications that promote religion or political parties