Aims/priorities: There are two prize categories in 2025:
- William Sutton Prize for Sustainability with the theme of 'Regenerative Places - enriching nature, homes and communities' seeks to support projects that contribute to the restoration and preservation of the natural world.
- William Sutton Prize for Connected Communities seeks to support impact-led ideas that enhance social housing residents’ physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
Who can apply? To be eligible, organisations must be registered to operate in England and must clearly demonstrate how their idea can benefit both current and future residents and communities. Successful projects will be required to take place in England.
Applications are accepted from both not-for-profit and commercial organisations, including (but not limited to):
- Registered charities
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Social enterprises
- Community groups
- Other registered companies
There is interest in applications from:
- Service and tech entrepreneurs
- Social enterprises and CICs
- Charitable organisations
- Community groups
- Academics and architects
- Designers and planners
- Any group that has a compelling concept with potential for real world impact.
Previous experience in the social housing sector is not essential as the Prize encourages new perspectives.
Grant amount: The 2025 prize categories:
- Regenerative Places – total funding pot is £75,000 with grants of between £5,000 and £50,000. Up to five projects will be supported.
- Connected Communities – total funding pot is £50,000 with grants of between £5,000 and £25,000. Up to five projects will be supported.
Application process: Groups can sign up for the following webinars via the William Sutton Prize web page. Both webinars will be held on 19 February 2025:
- Connected Communities category from 12 :00 to 13:00.
- Regenerative Places category from 14:00 to 15:00.
Full guidelines, FAQs and the application portal can be found on the Clarion Housing Group website.
There are separate guidance notes for Regenerative Places and Connected Communities.
Applications must be made on Clarion Housing's Flexi-grant portal.
The deadline for all funding applications is 8 April 2025 (12 noon).
Finalists will be invited to a Judges’ Panel Day in London to pitch their idea to the panel and answer questions.
Full details will be sent directly to shortlisted applicants with the relevant requirements before the panel day.
Deadline: Tuesday 8 April 2025, (12 noon).
Contact information: Email: williamsuttonprize@clarionhg.com