Chichester District Council grant programme

This page will be updated to confirm when the programme is open to receive Fast Track applications. The Panel will meet to consider larger applications four times this year. The first closing date for applications over £1,000 will be Friday 19 May. These applications will be considered in a meeting on Wednesday 28 June. To ensure sufficient preparation time, applicants interested in this deadline can email funding advisers to arrange an appointment for a pre-application discussion.

What can you apply for?

The council has recently reviewed the grants programme and agreed three priorities for funding for the financial year 2023/24. Applications must be from organisations delivering projects or services meeting one of these priorities. These are:

Economy

To support projects that bring forward inward investment

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

Targeted projects

Projects where the primary benefit is to residents in greatest need. Priority would be given to projects that are: locally appropriate, able to evidence need and offer effective solutions

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 their advisor 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.

There is a new principle added for 2022/23, we now ask how your project has been designed to minimise its climate impact. Please refer to the Climate Change Guidance 2022 document to help you think about how to respond to this.

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?

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.

Your Funding Adviser will be able to talk you through these principles. If you are interested in applying to this scheme, please contact a Funding Advisor 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.

Eligibility Guidance Notes (Word doc) [74KB]

Priorities and principles guidance notes (Word doc) [58KB]

Climate Change Guidance 2022 (Word doc) [69KB]

Evidencing need (Word doc) [64KB]

Fast Track grant applications

You can apply for less than £1000 at any time under the 'Fast Track' small grant process.

Up to 1000 guidance 2022 (Word doc) [75KB]

Up to 1000 application form 2022 (Word doc) [127KB]

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 grant applications
Closing date for applications by 5pm	Panel meeting Date
Friday 19 May 2023	Wednesday 28 June 2023
Friday 8 September 2023	Thursday 11 October 2023
Friday 1 December 2023	Wednesday 31 January 2024
Friday 16 February 2024	Wednesday 27 March 2024

We aim to notify you of the outcome of your application within 7 working days of the Panel decision. As part of the Call-In process, decisions of the Panel are available on the Council's website a day after the meeting. However, as this is not a final decision and offers are subject to signing an Agreement which explains any conditions, applicants are strongly discouraged from acting on that information.

Over 1000 application form 2022 (Word doc) [135KB]

Over 1000 guidance 2022 (Word doc) [139KB]

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 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

In March 2016, the Cabinet agreed a new policy concerning the awarding of grants and concessions.

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 2016 (Word doc) [137KB]

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) [266KB]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 contact the appropriate Funding Advisor.