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 our Plan for Babergh

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

Financial support

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

CIL is funding, generated by new developments, which local organisations can apply for and use to make capital improvements to community facilities.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as village halls, parish councils, sports clubs

What's available

Up to £100,000 can be applied for (up to a maximum of 75% of project costs)

When to apply

Bids can be submitted in May and October each year

Find out more about CIL

Section 106 (S106)

S106 is funding, generated by development, which can be applied for and used toward making capital improvements or repairs to community facilities.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs

What's available

This will depend on the parish where your project is taking place

When to apply

Open for applications

Find out more

Capital Grants

Capital Grants are available to community groups who are looking to make improvements or repairs to community facilities.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs

What's available

Up to £10,000 can be applied for

When to apply

Open for applications until 12 January 2025

Find out more

Rural Communities Fund

The Rural Communities Fund, which is part of the Rural England Prosperity Fund, is capital funding that's available for the creation of spaces for community and business use; net zero infrastructure within communities; supporting rural tourism activity.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups

What's available

Between £5,000 and £10,000

When to apply

Open for applications

Find out more about the Rural England Prosperity Fund

Rural Culture & Creativity Fund

The Rural Culture & Creativity Fund, which is part of the Rural England Prosperity Fund, is capital funding that's available for arts, culture and heritage providers with projects which would help to enrich our town centres, attract new audiences, and increase footfall.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups

What's available

Between £5,000 and £10,000

When to apply

Open for applications

Find out more about the Rural England Prosperity Fund

Locality Awards

Community groups within Babergh can apply for funding via their District Councillor, for small scale projects or purchases.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, sports clubs

What's available

Each District Councillor has a budget of £2,000 per year

When to apply

Open for applications

Find out more about the Locality Awards

Social Enterprise Support Fund

This funding is available to support the development of social enterprises within the districts of Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups, sports clubs

What's available

Between £1,000 and £5,000

When to apply

Open for applications

Find out more about the Social Enterprise Support Fund

Sustainable Communities Food Fund

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.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups, parish councils

What's available

Between £250 and £5,000

When to apply

Open for applications

Find out more

Non-financial support

Trees, Hedgerows and Wildflowers Scheme

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.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as voluntary and community groups, parish councils

What's available

Free trees, hedgerow plants and wildflower seeds

When to apply

Open for applications

Find out more about the Trees, Hedgerows and Wildflowers Scheme

Business Rates Reliefs and Reductions

Community groups, such as charities and not-for-profit organisations, may be eligible for business rates reliefs.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, sports clubs

What's available

Discretionary Rate Relief, Retail Relief, Small Business Rate Relief

When to apply

You can apply all year round

Find out more about Business Rates Reliefs and Reductions

Planning

Community groups and parish councils may be eligible for reductions or exemptions via pre-application or heritage advice.

Suitable for

Charities and organisations such as village halls, voluntary and community groups, parish councils

What's available

The support is a reduction or an exemption - it will depend on the proposed scheme.

When to apply

You can apply all year round

Find out more about pre-application advice