Microgrants Fund

We know that community groups of every size are carrying out amazing work across Norfolk. Our Microgrants offer provides funding and support to the grassroots community groups who are essential in addressing local need.

We understand that small emerging community groups might not have the structures and policies in place that are usually required to be eligible for grant funding.

In this round of Microgrants funding, we will be working closely alongside our friends at Community Action Norfolk to support community groups that are working towards organising themselves with the appropriate policies, governance, training and safeguards in order to run their community activity safely, and be eligible for funding opportunities with NCF and other funders.

CAN provide practical support to Norfolk VCSE groups in the form of access to training, advice, strategic planning, governance assistance and much more.

To be eligible for this Fund, the minimum requirement is that your group consists of at least 3 unconnected people with a shared community vision.

To apply for this Fund, you won’t need to have a constitution, community bank account, Safeguarding policy or Equal Opportunities policy. It may be that your group does not fit our usual eligibility criteria. However, this fund will support you in moving toward this.

Grants of up to £500 are available from a £20,000 pot.

Examples of funded activity may include:

Governance support from a trusted organisation such as Community Action Norfolk.
Training (e.g. safeguarding, first aid, food hygiene and safety)
Insurance (public liability, trustee indemnity)

This list is not exhaustive, each proposal will be considered on a case by case basis.

Please note that you should be able to spend this funding within 12 months of receipt.

Please note that this Fund cannot support the following:

This Fund cannot support staff costs within your organisation relating to governance development (putting together policies, carrying out training etc.)
Typically, the Fund can’t consider applications from groups who are already established with an annual income exceeding £25,000, as it’s primary aim is to support grassroots and emerging community groups.
This Fund can no longer support your organisation to pilot an activity.

Please take a look at our online guidance to see what other types of work we cannot support.

When to apply

The Fund is now open and will be accepting proposals until Friday 14th November.

Over the course of a year, we aim to open the Microgrants Fund a total of 3 times. Please sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know when this grant programme is open.

Funding process

If you are interested in this funding opportunity, please fill in the brief form attached at the bottom of this page and send this to grants@norfolkfoundation.com.

A member of the Programmes Team will be in touch within 2 weeks of receiving your proposal to arrange a meeting with your group. This meeting will either be with a member of the Programmes Team at NCF, or an adviser from Community Action Norfolk, depending on the nature of your request. Funding will then be released to support the needs identified in this conversation if they are considered a good fit for the fund.

If you have any questions about completing the form or more generally about the Fund, please talk to Lizzi Barker at Norfolk Community Foundation.

Call for Applications

Open

Maximum Grant

£500

Deadline

14 November 2025 – 12:00pm

Who can apply?

Unconstituted or small VCSE groups

Eligible Area

Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, North Norfolk, Norwich, and South Norfolk

Find Out More & Apply

Click here to access the proposal form