Deadline: 01-Nov-2026
The Arm Community Fund provides small grants to non-profit organisations in Cambridgeshire for projects that strengthen communities, support children and families, or help adults facing life crisis.
The fund is designed to support grassroots initiatives that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. It particularly encourages projects that promote community development and engagement, benefit children and families, or provide support to adults experiencing challenging circumstances.
Grants of up to £3,000 per project are available.
About the Arm Community Fund
The Arm Community Fund supports grassroots organisations delivering charitable projects that benefit people across Cambridgeshire.
The programme focuses on initiatives that address local needs and create practical community benefits.
Its main priority areas are:
- Community development and engagement.
- Children, young people, and families.
- Adults facing life crisis.
The fund also places particular emphasis on reaching organisations that have not recently received funding from this source.
Funding Available
Organisations can apply for grants of up to £3,000 per project.
The fund operates across four rounds, with an average of £14,000 awarded per round.
Funding can support a wide variety of charitable projects, including both project delivery costs and certain capital expenditure.
What Can the Funding Support?
The Arm Community Fund provides flexible support for eligible charitable projects.
Examples of costs that can be funded include:
- Project-related salaries.
- Vehicle rental.
- Capital items.
- Other costs associated with eligible charitable projects.
Applicants should demonstrate how the requested funding will directly contribute to the project’s intended community benefits.
Community Development and Engagement
One of the fund’s central priorities is community development and engagement.
Projects can support initiatives that bring people together, strengthen local participation, and help communities become more connected and resilient.
Applicants should explain the local need their project addresses and how the initiative will benefit the wider community.
Children, Young People and Families
The fund supports projects benefiting children, young people, and families.
Initiatives can focus on improving opportunities, support, participation, or wellbeing for these groups.
Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed activities and the needs of the children, young people, or families they intend to support.
Adults Facing Life Crisis
Another priority area is support for adults facing life crisis.
The fund recognises the importance of grassroots initiatives that provide practical support to adults experiencing difficult or challenging circumstances.
Applicants should clearly explain the needs being addressed and how their project will make a tangible difference to beneficiaries.
Supporting Grassroots Organisations
The Arm Community Fund is particularly focused on grassroots initiatives.
Smaller community organisations can use the funding to deliver practical projects that respond directly to local needs in Cambridgeshire.
The fund also places particular emphasis on organisations that have not recently received funding from this source, helping broaden access to its support.
Who Can Apply?
A wide range of non-profit and community-focused organisations can apply.
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered charities.
- Charitable incorporated organisations.
- Religious organisations, where the proposed project is non-religious.
- Parish and town councils.
- Community interest companies.
- Social enterprises.
- Co-operatives.
- Community benefit societies.
- Schools.
- Qualifying sports clubs.
Applicants should ensure that their organisation meets the relevant eligibility requirements before applying.
Religious Organisations
Religious organisations can apply where the proposed project is non-religious.
This means the funding should support an eligible charitable or community activity rather than religious advancement.
Schools and Sports Clubs
Schools and qualifying sports clubs are also among the organisations that may be eligible.
Their proposed projects should demonstrate clear community or charitable benefits and fit within the fund’s priority areas.
Geographic Eligibility
Projects must be delivered within Cambridgeshire.
National organisations may also apply where the funding requested is specifically restricted to activities taking place within Cambridgeshire.
The geographic focus ensures that the fund’s resources directly benefit people and communities in the area.
Funding for National Organisations
A national organisation does not necessarily have to operate exclusively in Cambridgeshire.
However, if it applies, the funding must be restricted to the Cambridgeshire area.
Applicants should clearly identify the local activities and beneficiaries covered by the funding request.
Capital and Project Costs
The fund can support a broad range of charitable project costs, including project-related salaries, vehicle rental, and capital items.
Applicants should explain why each requested cost is necessary for delivering the proposed project and how it contributes to the intended outcomes.
Preparing a Strong Application
A strong application should clearly demonstrate the local need and the practical impact of the proposed project.
Applicants should explain:
- What community issue or need the project will address.
- Who will benefit from the project.
- Which priority area the project supports.
- What activities will be delivered.
- How the activities will create tangible benefits.
- How the grant will be used.
- Why the organisation is well placed to deliver the project.
- How the project will benefit people within Cambridgeshire.
Demonstrating Local Impact
Because the fund focuses on grassroots initiatives, applicants should clearly demonstrate the project’s local relevance.
The proposal should show how funding will make a tangible difference to people in Cambridgeshire and how the project responds to an identified community need.
Reaching Organisations That Have Not Recently Been Funded
The fund places particular emphasis on supporting organisations that have not recently received funding from this source.
Organisations that have not recently benefited from the fund should clearly demonstrate their project need and explain how the funding could help them deliver meaningful local impact.
Key Facts About the Arm Community Fund
- Fund: Arm Community Fund.
- Geographic focus: Cambridgeshire.
- Maximum grant: £3,000 per project.
- Average funding: £14,000 across four rounds.
- Target applicants: Non-profit and eligible community organisations.
- Main priorities: Community development and engagement; children, young people and families; adults facing life crisis.
- Eligible costs: Project-related salaries, vehicle rental, capital items, and other eligible charitable project costs.
- Project location: Cambridgeshire.
- National organisations: Eligible where funding is restricted to Cambridgeshire.
- Religious organisations: Eligible for non-religious projects.
- Priority: Organisations that have not recently received funding from this source.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arm Community Fund
What is the Arm Community Fund?
The Arm Community Fund provides small grants to support grassroots charitable projects that benefit people and communities across Cambridgeshire.
How much funding is available?
Eligible projects can receive up to £3,000.
What are the main priorities of the fund?
The three main priority areas are community development and engagement, children, young people and families, and adults facing life crisis.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, parish and town councils, community interest companies, social enterprises, co-operatives, community benefit societies, schools, qualifying sports clubs, and other listed non-profit organisations.
Can religious organisations apply?
Yes, provided the proposed project is non-religious.
Can schools apply?
Yes. Schools are included among the eligible applicant categories.
Can sports clubs apply?
Qualifying sports clubs can apply for eligible projects.
Where must projects take place?
Projects must be delivered within Cambridgeshire.
Can a national organisation apply?
Yes. A national organisation may apply if the funding is specifically restricted to activities within Cambridgeshire.
What costs can the grant support?
Examples include project-related salaries, vehicle rental, and capital items, along with other eligible charitable project costs.
Does the fund support grassroots initiatives?
Yes. The fund is specifically designed to support grassroots initiatives that make a tangible difference in local communities.
Does the fund prioritise organisations that have not recently received funding?
Yes. Particular emphasis is placed on organisations that have not recently received funding from this source.
How many funding rounds are there?
The fund awards grants across four rounds, with an average of £14,000 awarded per round.
Conclusion
The Arm Community Fund provides small but flexible grants of up to £3,000 for grassroots charitable projects in Cambridgeshire.
By focusing on community development and engagement, children and families, and adults facing life crisis, the programme supports initiatives that respond to local needs and improve people’s lives.
A broad range of organisations can apply, including charities, community organisations, social enterprises, schools, qualifying sports clubs, and parish and town councils. National organisations may also apply where their funding is specifically restricted to Cambridgeshire.
For organisations planning a local project, the fund offers an opportunity to secure financial support for eligible costs such as project-related salaries, vehicle rental, and capital items while delivering tangible benefits to the Cambridgeshire community.
For more information, visit Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.
