About the grants
The Councillor Community Grant Fund helps county councillors support local groups and community projects.
It funds projects that:
- support our council plan priorities
- bring clear benefits to residents
- meet local needs across Lincolnshire
There are two funding streams, totalling £500,000.
These are:
- divisional grants from £100, with up to £3,000 available per division
- strategic fund from £3,001 to £15,000 for larger projects with wider impact
Who can apply
County councillors can put forward projects from:
- town and parish councils
- residents’ associations
- registered charities
- constituted community and voluntary groups
- community interest companies (CICs) and social enterprises
- faith groups (for non-religious activity)
- schools and academies where there is wider community benefit
- sports clubs and cultural organisations with a community focus
What you can use the grant for
You can use funding for a range of community projects, including:
- community events and activities, including start-up or running costs
- equipment for events, sports clubs and community activities
- improvements, maintenance or repairs to community facilities
- neighbourhood improvements such as benches, planters and noticeboards
- community emergency resilience, including equipment or training
Funding can cover up to 100 per cent of project costs or contribute towards them.
You can find eligibility and organisational requirements online.
Divisional grants
Each division has £3,000 available for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
Councillors decide:
- which projects to support
- how much funding each project receives
Each grant must be at least £100.
Councillors can combine funding with other divisions for larger projects.
Key requirements:
- benefit local residents
- reflect local priorities and needs
- show community demand or involvement
- offer value for money
- be delivered within 12 months
- support wellbeing or reduce inequalities
- align with the council plan
Grants must be awarded by the end of February 2027.
Councillors must declare any conflicts of interest and must not fund projects linked to their financial interests.
Strategic fund
The strategic fund supports larger or cross-division projects.
Funding ranges from £3,001 to £15,000.
Applications must:
- be supported by one or more councillors
- include a delivery timescale
We assess applications throughout the year. We consider:
- scale of community benefit
- impact across divisions or countywide
- partnership working
- long-term benefits
- value for money
- contribution to the council plan
Assessment rounds
| Funding round | Application period | Decision date |
|---|---|---|
| Round one | Apply by 31 July 2026 | Decision by 31 August 2026 |
| Round two | 1 August to 31 August 2026 | Decision by 30 September 2026 |
| Round three | 1 September to 30 September 2026 | Decision by 31 October 2026 |
| Round four | 1 October to 31 October 2026 | Decision by 30 November 2026 |
| Round five | 1 November to 30 November 2026 | Decision by 31 December 2026 |
| Round six | 1 December to 31 December 2026 | Decision by 31 January 2027 |
| Final round | 1 January to 31 January 2027 | Decision by 28 February 2027 |
Grant conditions
All grants must:
- be used for the approved purpose
- provide evidence of spending
- return any unspent or misused funds
We will publish details of all grants awarded on the council’s website.
Successful projects must acknowledge: ‘Councillor Community Grant Funding from Lincolnshire County Council’ in publicity.