Reading Borough Council opens 2026 Small Grants Fund, offering up to 7,500 to grassroots groups

Council announces streamlined Small Grants Fund to back local projects tackling inequality

Reading Borough Council has opened its 2026 Small Grants Fund, inviting local voluntary and community organisations to apply for grants of up to 7,500. The council has allocated a total of 150,000 to support grassroots activity aimed at reducing inequality, improving financial resilience and widening opportunity for residents across the borough.

Two-tier scheme and clearer eligibility to reach smaller groups

This year’s programme includes two application routes: the main Small Grants Fund, which offers awards of up to 7,500, and a separate Micro Grants strand providing 250 or 500 for very small projects. The council says the split is intended to make funding more accessible for tiny community groups and grassroots initiatives that may lack the capacity to deliver larger projects but are nonetheless important to local residents.

To be eligible applicants must be registered charities or not-for-profit organisations with an annual income below 100,000 and they must have received less than 20,000 in council funding in the previous financial year. Projects must directly benefit residents of Reading and proposals that are simply continuations of previously funded work are not eligible.

Deadlines and practical support for applicants

The council published guidance and application materials on its website and will accept applications through the Small Grants Fund pages. The application window closes on 13 November 2026 and applicants will be notified whether they were successful before Christmas. Reading Borough Council has also signposted support for applicants, including contact details for the council’s funding officer who can advise on eligibility and how to complete the forms.

Why the fund matters now

Local grants of this size play a practical role in sustaining community-led services, particularly those that work with people on low incomes or who face multiple barriers to opportunity. The council says the fund is specifically focused on projects that increase financial resilience, tackle health and opportunity gaps and support the council’s anti-racism commitments. Small one-off grants frequently fund outreach, pilot activities and shorter-term interventions that can reach groups mainstream services do not always engage.

Track record and priorities

Reading has run a Small Grants Fund in previous years. The council points to examples from earlier rounds where awards supported everything from youth archery to arts activity for people with learning disabilities, and projects helping jobseekers into work. In 2024/25 the fund distributed about 125,000 to 30 organisations, demonstrating the council’s ongoing commitment to backing small local providers.

For 2026/27 the council has emphasised three priorities for applicants: tackling inequality, promoting anti-racism in local life, and improving residents’ financial resilience. Applicant guidance sets out the type of evidence and project outcomes the council expects to see in successful bids.

Practical considerations for applicants

Organisations preparing applications should ensure their proposals meet the income and prior-funding eligibility thresholds, and show a clear plan for how the grant would be used to produce measurable benefits for Reading residents. The council has published example bid answers and a scoring matrix to help applicants understand how submissions will be assessed. Separate application forms are provided for micro grants and main grants, and only one bid is permitted per organisation.

Local reaction and next steps

Local voluntary groups and community organisations welcomed the availability of small scale funding. For many community projects the barrier is not only the total amount on offer, but the simplicity and speed of funding. Micro grants in particular are designed to help community leaders access modest sums for one-off activities quickly and with lower application overhead.

The council has committed to notifying award decisions before Christmas and to publishing a list of successful projects. The Small Grants Fund remains a vital, targeted source of support for residents and community organisations operating close to local needs, and this year’s changes aim to broaden access and make the programme more responsive to smaller organisations operating on very limited budgets.

How to apply

Full guidance, eligibility information, example bid answers and application forms are available on the Reading Borough Council website. Applicants with questions can contact the council’s funding officer at the address published on the Small Grants Fund guidance page.