This webpage details the funding opportunities and support available for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations within our district.
Our approach is to support a financially resilient VCFSE sector, which addresses current social challenges - and contributes to the achievement of our priorities. Read The Mid Suffolk Plan
Organisations can submit one application to multiple funds. Within the funding opportunities and support available to VCFSE organisations, a range of terms are used which may not be familiar to all applicants. View a Glossary of Terms for VCFSE Funding.
If you have any queries - or would like to be signposted to funding that's most applicable to your organisation or project - please email BMSDCGrants@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
On this webpage, we have organised the opportunities by whether they offer financial or non-financial support.
Some of the financial support available can be used for sustainability measures - such as improving the energy efficiency of community buildings, enhancing local green spaces, or reducing waste:
| Type of financial support | Can be used for sustainability measures |
|---|---|
| Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) | ✔ |
| Section 106 (S106) | ✔ |
| Community Development Grants | ✔ |
| Mid Suffolk Culture Fund | ✖ |
| Progress Power Community Benefit Fund | ✔ |
| Eye Wind Turbines Section 106 | ✔ |
| Locality Awards | ✔ |
| Sustainable Communities Food Fund | ✔ |
| Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund (POLBEF) | ✔ |
| Pride in Your Place Grants | ✔ |
| Mid Suffolk Sports Infrastructure Fund | ✖ |
You will need to check which measures are relevant to which type of financial support, at the point of application.
CIL is funding, generated by new developments, which local organisations can apply for and use to make capital improvements to community facilities.
Charities and organisations such as village halls, parish councils, sports clubs
Up to £100,000 can be applied for (up to a maximum of 75% of project costs)
Bids can be submitted in May and October each year
S106 is funding, generated by development, which can be applied for and used toward making capital improvements or repairs to community facilities.
Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs
This will depend on the parish where your project is taking place
Open for applications
Community Development Grants are available to organisations seeking support towards revenue, capital or pre-project costs or activities
Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs
Up to £20,000 can be applied for
Open for applications
This funding is for projects that support our Culture, Heritage and Visitor Economy Strategy Action Plan. The Culture Fund will be incorporated into the Community Development Grant - as there is often significant overlap between cultural and community organisations.
Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups
Up to £20,000 can be applied for
Closed for applications. Will reopen in October 2025
This funding is available for capital or revenue projects - to community groups within Eye, Mellis, Thrandeston, Yaxley and Brome & Oakley.
Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs
Up to £10,000
Open for applications
This funding is available to community groups who are located within a 10km radius of the wind turbines at Mid Suffolk Business Park (formerly Eye Airfield). It can be used toward environmental projects - such as improving energy efficiency, and tree planting.
Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs
This will depend on the parish where your project is taking place
Community groups within Mid Suffolk can apply for funding via their District Councillor, for small scale projects or purchases.
Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs
Each District Councillor has a budget of £10,000 per year
Open for applications
The Sustainable Communities Food Fund is funding that small scale food initiatives, such as community pantries, can use for capital and revenue costs such as training for volunteers, and buying equipment, planters or fruit trees.
Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups, parish councils
Between £250 and £5,000
Open for applications
Community groups within Barham, Bramford, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Little Blakenham can apply for POLBEF funding. It can be used toward projects which create spaces for nature and wildlife.
Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups, parish councils
Up to £3,750
Closed for applications. Will reopen in September 2025
These grants are available for capital projects that enable community groups to enhance their local area and environment, explore local identity and heritage, and engage in activities such as community clean ups
Charities and organisations such as parish and town councils, voluntary and community groups
Between £250 and £5,000
Open for applications
Funding towards major infrastructure improvements to indoor and outdoor sports facilities outside of Stowmarket
Charities and organisations such as community groups, parish councils and sports clubs
Between £20,000 and £250,000 towards projects promoting increased uptake in sport and physical activity in the local area
Open for expressions of interest
This Scheme provides support to community groups who own publicly accessible land - and are looking to create spaces within it for wildlife. This might include trees, hedging and seeds for planting.
Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups, parish councils
Free trees, hedgerow plants and wildflower seeds
Open for applications
Find out more about the Trees, Hedgerows and Wildflowers Scheme
Community groups, such as charities and not-for-profit organisations, may be eligible for business rates reliefs.
Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, sports clubs
Discretionary Rate Relief, Retail Relief, Small Business Rate Relief
You can apply all year round
Community groups and parish councils may be eligible for reductions or exemptions via pre-application or heritage advice.
Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils
The support is a reduction or an exemption - it will depend on the proposed scheme.
You can apply all year round