Community Capacity Grant Application

Community Capacity Grants

The Community Capacity Grant funding application is now open 

Do you have an idea or vision for a new group, club or activity that helps to support families, and do you need financial support to begin?

The Early Help Community Capacity Grant aims to support local families by working with the community to help develop and promote community resources, spaces, and activities. The intention of the funding is to build community capacity to promote positive outcomes for Babies, Children, Young People, Families, Parents, and/or Carers on the Isle of Wight.

This Grant round seeks to address the following key priorities. You must be able to evidence all four of the criteria below:

  1. Promoting emotional resilience/ mental health and wellbeing
  2. Creating and developing sustainable group, club or activity
  3. Meeting an evidenced community need (taking a community led approach to group, club or activity)
  4. Value for money

Grants of up to £5,000 are available. The grants are for providers who want to organise a group, club or activity for families, parents, carers or young people up to the age of 19 (up to 25 with special education needs and disabilities).

Our main focusses are groups, clubs and activities:

  • For children aged 5 years and above
    A regular positive group, club or activity for children and young people.
  • In the school holidays for children transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7
    1:1 or group, club or activity to support children who maybe struggling with change.
  • Focusing on youth outreach
    A regular positive group, club or activity for young people within the community. 
  • Focusing on family wellbeing sessions for all ages
    A regular positive group, club or activity for the whole family.
  • Focusing on supporting Young Carers
    positive group, club or activity to support children who are Young Carers caring at home for a family member.
  • Focusing on Perinatal Mental Health for 0 to 2 years and their families
    A regular positive group, club or activity for parents/carers pre-birth and post birth.

Applications close at 12noon on 21 November 2025.

If you would like more information or help with your application join a support session.

In person at County Hall, Newport, PO30 1UD

  • Saturday 8 November 2025 from 13:00pm to 15:00pm

  • Wednesday 12 November 2025 from 5.00pm to 7:00pm

 Email earlyhelpgrant@iow.gov.uk  or call 01983 823169 to book.

Who can apply?

  • Voluntary, community and third sector organisations
  • New organisations 
  • School provision but only if the provision is:
    • inclusive and open to all children/young people on the Island 
    • out of school hours 
    • allows other children travel time to attend
    • It will not be considered if the provision is only for children/young people that attend the school.

Important

Funding can only be given to new Early Help group, club or activity on the Isle of Wight that have not yet started.

Helpful information for completing your application

You will need to have the correct insurances, policies and DBS requirements, prior to receiving funds.

When completing your application open and use the guidance at the same time. The guidance provide tips and useful information to help you complete your application in details. 

The guidance has been designed to help you to get a high score. The higher your score the better chance you have of being awarded a grant. All scorings take place at panel.

Application process

Complete and submit your application before the closure date

If you need any information about your current application please email earlyhelpgrant@iow.gov.uk

Closing date: 12noon on 21 November 2025.

What happens next

  1. Panel Date: Panel assess your application. Panel will take place on the week beginning 01 December 2025.
  2. Decision Date: You will be informed of the financial decisions. Final decisions should be made by the 19 December 2025.  You will have until close of business on 09 January 2026 to accept/decline your offer and supply any additional information required (as outlined within the decision letter). 
  3. Contracts: You will then receive your grant agreement which will need to be signed and sent back by midday on the 27 February 2026. Your grant agreement will outline what steps you need to take to receive your upfront payment if requested.
    Any new providers, or those who have previously been successful who choose to sign face to face, must attend an appointment scheduled in County Hall.
    The appointments will take place on either of the three dates: 11 February 2026,16 February 2026 or 18 February 2026
    A representative will discuss your contract with you, answer any questions you may have and issue a copy for signature
  4. A completed copy will be sent back to you electronically for your records
  5. Advertise your project and list on the IW Family Information Hub | Providers website
  6. Start your project between 01 April 2026 and 30 April 2026. Failure to do so may result in reduced payments 
  7. Attend Early Help Community forum, quarterly as part of your signed agreement
  8. Continue to fulfil the requirements of the funding as outlined within your grant agreement

What is expected from you

If you are successful and awarded a grant. You will need to provide monitoring information. This is to meet the Early Help grant agreement terms. Monitoring arrangements Include:

  • spend data
  • progress reports required quarterly

Important Information: We understand that new provision will not have these policies in place at point of application. It is mandatory that they are in place prior to provision starting. Policies needed:

  • Safeguarding policy - The provider lead is expected to have level 3 safeguarding training. Links to all training are provided if the application is successful 
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - This should be a Clear Enhanced DBS for all staff and volunteers
  • Public Liability Insurance - Which Currently stands at 10 Million Pounds
  • Employers Liability Insurance- Which is Currently 5 Million Pounds

You will also need to attend the Early Help Community forum quarterly. Learn more about the Early Help Community forum.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about community capacity grant funding

Looking for answers? 

For quick guidance on the most common questions we receive visit our Early Help Community Capacity Grant FAQ webpage (Link to be added)

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