I can think of no better way, effortlessly and with confidence, to support local good causes than through Norfolk Community Foundation.

Paul Morgan,
Philanthropist and Founder Benefactor

Community First: Neighbourhood Matched Fund

£30 Million is now available to fund community projects in some of the most deprived areas of the country. People will be encouraged to give time, expertise and resources towards the projects they identify in their areas. The government will match these pound for pound, helping to stimulate local action towards meeting community needs.

Community First Neighbourhood Matched Fund is an initiative that provides local communities with the means to address their own priorities:

Communities will set up local panels in each eligible ward, and will decide upon projects for funding in their area.
It is a matched fund programme, which means that every £1 provided in funding must be matched by a similar amount of in-kind donations (this means donations of cash, services, free products or volunteer time).

Funding allocation:

Funding has been allocated at ward level across every local authority in England. Eligible wards were selected on the basis of high levels of deprivation and significant increases in benefits claimants. The amount of funding for each area is based on the concentration of these characteristics within a ward.
Because funding is targeted to reach the most deprived areas, only certain electoral wards are eligible in each Local Authority. Use the postcode checker to find out if your area is eligible.

For a full explanation of the selection process, please download the Community First NMF allocation rationale

For a full list of eligible wards and allocations please download the List of eligible Community First areas and allocations.

Norfolk Community Foundation is helping administer the three Norfolk areas of this fund below:

Central and Northgate Community Panel
Cobholm and Southtown Panel
St Margarets with St Nicholas

Groups can apply for £250-£2,500 for one year and may reapply in the following year. When applying for a grant groups need to ensure that their application addresses the key priority areas highlighted by each panel.

To apply print off and complete the Project Proposal Form and send it to Norfolk Community Foundation, St James Mill Whitefriars, Norwich NR3 1SH.

If you have any queries regarding this fund please contact Graham Tuttle, Director on 01603 623958 or
via E-mail.