Aims/priorities:
This year, four community projects in the UK and Ireland will receive funding of up to £10,000 to host fun, summer activities in the local community for people aged between 21 – 65 years old. This can include transforming an outdoor space or community garden, running a summer art festival or purchasing sports, arts, theatre or music equipment.
What can you apply for:
- Initiatives that focus on improving or creating spaces for outdoor activities
- Initiatives that improve the lives of local people
- Projects must be targeted towards adult activities
- Project beneficiaries must be between 21-65 years old
Types of activities could include:
- Arts and crafts
- Dance
- Music
- Gardening
- Sports and fitness
Who can apply:
- Rowntree’s Free the Fund Community Grant Programme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK and Ireland.
Who can't apply:
- Individuals
- Community Interest Companies with shares (CIC’s)
- Community Interest Companies with guarantee that are less than two years old
- Profit-making organisations
- Un-constituted organisations
- Local Authorities
- Parish or Town Councils
- Schools, Academies, Nurseries and Preschools
- Parent Teacher Associations or Friends of Parent Teacher Associations
Amount: Grants of up to £10,000 are available. (The programme panel hold the decision to award you a different amount to what you apply for, which could be a higher or lower amount).
Applications are open from Monday 2 March and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 31 March 2026
Projects must be delivered by the end of September 2026
How to apply:
To apply for this fund please click here, where you will also find the guidance notes.