Community Event Grants

Community Event Grant Scheme 2026

The Event Grant Scheme will be accepting applications from 5 January 2026 to 31 March 2026

Our funding objectives

To support the delivery of a diverse range of community events and festivals by helping event organisers re-establish and reconnect to their audience, thereby promoting the active participation of residents in community life.

We will fund community events that:

• Are delivered within the borough of Ashford.
• Are open to the whole community.
• Are free to attend or provide some free activity within the overall event.
• Provide opportunities for volunteering and/or community participation.
• Promote environmentally responsible and sustainable behaviour.
• Are delivered in the 2026/27 financial year.  

Funding available – revenue grants up to £2,000 for a small project or up to £5,000 for a large project.

Funding can cover the full cost of your event but we particularly welcome applications where other funding sources will contribute to the full costs.

Applicant Guidance

Eligibility

The council will only fund projects or services where there is a clear financial need due to lack of available funds and will not fund events that have already been delivered.

Organisations applying for funding must fulfil all the criteria below.

• Operate in Ashford borough and serve the borough’s residents
• Are non-political
• Have a bank or building society account in the organisation's name (requiring two unrelated signatories)
• Have relevant insurances in place e.g. public liability insurance, buildings insurance
• Have relevant safeguards and policies in place i.e. risk assessments, health and safety policy, safeguarding policy
• Have effective management/governance arrangements in place
• Promote equalities within their structure and operations
• Have support for their project from an Ashford Borough Council Ward Councillor or the Portfolio Holder
• Are providing a service(s), project(s) or facilities that are open to any resident in the borough (or have a clear, non-financial justification for targeting or prioritising a client group)
• Do not have more than 12 months’ worth of expenditure in unrestricted reserves or savings.
• Have no overdue debts owed to the council. 

How to Apply

Download and complete our Community Event Grant 2026 application form 

Application and assessment process

Applications will be accepted between 5 January 2026 and 31 March 2026. 

Please send your application to grantsandfunding@ashford.gov.uk.

We will give you an in principle funding decision within four weeks of the application deadline (31 March 2026) which must be a fully and properly completed application.

Your event will require review by the council’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG). The Group will review your event to ensure suitable safety requirements are met. Please be aware, the SAG may require you to submit further documentation and will advise you accordingly. On agreement from the SAG, you will receive confirmation of funding. We recommend you submit your application to the SAG at least 6 weeks in advance of your event occurring to ensure they have sufficient time to review your event. 

View further details of the SAG process.

Grant offer

If your application is successful we will send you a grant offer. The grant offer sets out the amount of grant funding approved, purpose of the funding, any additional grant conditions, monitoring and review requirements and the evidence of spend we require.

In signing your grant offer, you accept our Standard Terms and Conditions of Funding and any additional conditions stated in the offer.

You will also be informed of how you can claim your grant. You have 12 months from the date of the grant offer to claim your grant.

You will be asked to provide a short monitoring report once the event has been delivered.

Community Event Grant funding is subject to the council’s budget so we may not be able to fund every eligible application.

The decision of the council is final.

Who to contact for help

Abi Sheppard, Scrutiny and Partnerships Manager

T: 01233 330394

E: grantsandfunding@ashford.gov.uk

Safeguarding 

Ashford Borough Council is required by law to safeguard children and to protect public funds. We may use the information you have provided for the prevention and detection of criminal activity and fraud. We may also share this information with those bodies responsible for auditing or administering funds for these purposes.

Data protection

Any personal data provided in your application will be processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. We will only share personal information with other public sector organisations if it is necessary for the prevention and detection of fraud. Further information relating to your rights under the Data Protection Act can be sent to you on request.