Community Pride grants

Community Pride Fund 2025

Making an application

Please read the application guidelines below before you apply.

Please ensure you complete all parts of the application form. The application form has to be completed and submitted in one go. However, you have the option to "save my response to edit" on the thank you page once you have submitted it and you will be able to edit your response until the closing date.

The closing date for Community Pride fund applications is Tuesday 11 November at 23.59pm.

For more information please contact: [email protected]

Application guidelines

Background

This year our Community Pride funding pot is worth £30,000. The fund is for local groups in Cheltenham to be more influential in supporting their communities and improving their neighbourhoods.

We are now inviting applications for Community Pride grants to match-fund community-led projects, up to the value of £2,000 which will help build community pride and deliver lasting impact across one or more of the following themes:

Connecting people - fostering new relationships and celebrating our culture and diverse communities
Enhancing biodiversity - improving green spaces and the natural environment
Supporting children and young people - helping them thrive and reach their potential
Developing neighbourhood hubs - creating spaces that engage and support young people
Promoting wellbeing - encouraging physical and mental well-being across our communities

Projects need to be accessible at no-cost to the general public and need to create a lasting legacy for the local community. We will only fund time-limited projects up to a maximum of 12 months from the project start date.

Applications must be accompanied by evidence that the applicant will secure the necessary permissions to enable the work to proceed.

Who can apply?

Any constituted voluntary sector, community or neighbourhood-based organisation or school can apply.

Parish councils are eligible to apply but the level of other funding that the parish has access to for neighbourhood improvements (for example Community Infrastructure Levy funding) will be considered.

The awarding criteria will seek to distribute this funding evenly across Cheltenham.

How much can be applied for?

Any group may apply for a single award up to a maximum of £2,000.

Please be aware that as the fund is limited, and is always oversubscribed, the council will look to fund only those projects that offer the best value for money.

Funding will be allocated on a 50 per cent match-funding basis. This means the council will fund 50 per cent of the agreed costs of the project, with the other 50 per cent of costs being met by the organisation through either match-funding or contributions in-kind. In-kind contributions are defined as non-cash contributions to a project, typically donated goods and services or staff and volunteer time, which are necessary for the project and would otherwise have to be purchased for the project to go ahead. We will only pay the grant once you can demonstrate that the other funding is in place.

Funding criteria

The Community Pride Fund panel, which includes the Leader of the Council, the relevant cabinet member and a representative of the VCS will assess all submitted applications in November 2025. They will consider the information supplied on the proposals form to assess the following:

Screening questions

Is the organisation eligible to apply – Y/N
Does the project deliver against one or more of the community pride themes – Y/N
Is the organisation able to contribute at least 50% match funding – Y/N
Is the project based in Cheltenham – Y/N

Criteria that will be scored:

How well does the project represent value for money in terms of its community benefits compared with the amount of grant requested?
How well has the applicant set out that the project will meet an identifiable need in the community or build on an opportunity?
The scale of what the project will achieve in terms of a publicly accessible project that creates a long-term legacy for the community?
How many people will benefit from the activity?
The degree to which the project can realistically be delivered within the proposed timescales?

We are also looking for assurances that the project deliverer will put in place a robust system for collecting, monitoring and assessing the impacts of the project and for reporting and sharing this information.

Where projects involve working with children and young people, we will also ask you about what measures you have in place to safeguard their wellbeing.

Groups will also need to have current and relevant liability insurance in place before any agreement can be signed.

If the project is to take place on council-owned land, applicants must get prior permission from the relevant department - either the green spaces team or the property team. The award of a grant does not confer formal permission from the Council for the project to go ahead; applicatjts will still need to seek the landlord's permission, planning permission or licensing consents as appropriate.

The Council will not be held liable for any damage caused to public property and the council will not accept any liability for claims for damage, loss or injury resulting from the project.

What we won't fund

Any events or activities of a political nature
Ongoing revenue commitments
Projects being delivered outside the boundaries of Cheltenham borough
Projects that cannot demonstrate that the necessary permissions will be achieved within the appropriate timescales

Agreements

Before the project can start, the council will enter into a project agreement with the provider which will set out various obligations on the two parties.

Grant payments

For successful applicants, payments will generally be made in arrears on receipt of a completed performance management report and claim form. However, we can arrange advance payments to help with cash-flow but this will be subject to checks and you will be liable to repay this if your project does not make satisfactory progress.

Other considerations

Please be aware that as this is public money, the funding will be subject to inspection and audit. Any fraudulent activity will be quickly identified and reported to the police.

Grants allocated

Community Pride grants allocated 2024

Kings ABC: Boxing for life - £1,900
Lives of Colour: Culture Fest - £3,000
Cheltenham Paint Festival 2024: £1,500
Fresh Hope, School House Cafe: Community lunch development - £1,500
Bangladeshi Community Association: Eid Ananda - £2,000
Gas Green Youth and Community Centre: Gas Green weekly community drop in - £1,900
West Cheltenham Partnership: Springbank Music Project - £1,200
10th Cheltenham Scout Group: Community Hub in Pittville Park - £1,250
Monkscroft Community Action Group: Monkscroft Community Garden Project - £1,250
Pride in Gloucestershire: Pride in Cheltenham 2025 - £1,500
Cheltenham Festivals: My Voice, My Cheltenham at Cheltenham Literature Festival - £2,000
Gloucestershire Puja And Cultural Association: Celebration of Hindu festival of Durga Puja (Durga Ashtami) 2024 - £1,250
Friends of Elmfield: Community Rest Garden Paths and Shelter - £2,000
GARAS on behalf of newly formed Resettled Families Peer Group Homeward Horizon: Homeward Horizon - £2,000
InterClimate Network: ACT Acting together on climate change - £2,000
The Music Works in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Homes: St Marks Youth Music Connect - £2,250
The Wilson: The Kids Arts Club - £1,500

Community Pride grants allocated 2023

In 2023, the community pride funding was distributed through the Coronation Community Fund.

Community Pride grants allocated 2022

In 2022, the community pride funding was used to support celebratory events and projects for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Community Pride Grants allocated 2020 and 2021

Community Pride Grants were paused for 2020 and 2021 and the pot encompassed into the Community Resilience Grant fund to support the Covid-19 response.

Community Pride Grants allocated 2019-20

Building Circles: Reducing social isolation in adults with learning disabilities through allotments and cookery - £1,800.
Men In Sheds: Work Away Tool Set for use when away from the base - £890.
Cheltenham West End Partnership: Lower High Street Area Fun Day, celebrating Cheltenham's diversity - £1,500.
Indian Association Cheltenham: The Hindu Community Centre Kitchen Refurbishment project - £2,500.
Pride in Gloucestershire: Pride in Gloucestershire Cheltenham Picnic in the Park 2020 - £1,000
Cheltenham Trust (Wilson Arts Collective): Alternative Art and Performance for Young People aged 13-19 years - £3,000.
Prestbury Parish Council: New Prestbury Community Open Space - community seating and tree protectors - £1,000.
SPACE (St Pauls Activities, Community & Events): Summer Activities - for children in the summer holidays - £1,400.
University of Gloucestershire: Discover Cheltenham’s Wildlife - £940
Cheltenham Neighbourhood Watch Association: New CNHWA website, improvement in availability and content - £1,500.
Friends of Hatherley Park: Pitch Perfect - a boules pitch with notice board and benches - £2,500.
Goals Beyond Grass: Goals Beyond Grass Outreach Program - Cheltenham, taking power chair football to care homes, adult opportunity centres and SEN schools - £2,400.
Holst Birthplace Trust: Holst on the move - creation of 2 loans boxes for outreach sessions - £2,000.
Midsummer Fiesta: Midsummer Fiesta 2020 - £2,000.
G Café: development of arden and Green Gym - £3,000.
St Pauls Residents Association: St Paul’s Parties and Parades - a street party, and Advent Lantern Parade and craft workshops - £1,725.
Hesters Way Partnership: Creative West - Easter and Summer holiday scheme for 2010 for 5 - 16 year olds to learn practical skills and produce creative work across a range of venues - £3,100.

Total grants allocated in 2019-20 - £32,255.

Community Pride Grants allocated 2018-19

The Rock: Children's Cooking Club - £2,500.
Boccia Busters CIC: Boccia Busters -Let's Roll Cheltenham - £2,000.
Cheltenham Connect: Bath Road Utility Boxes Enhancements - £2,193.
Cheltenham Whaddon Bowls Club: Installation of disabled toilet facilities - £2,500.
Cheltenham West End Partnership: Lower High Street Festival - £2,250
Midsummer Fiesta: Midsummer Fiesta 2019 - £2,500.
Benhall Residents Association: Community Pride Planters and Seating - £600.
Cheltenham Christian Arts: Encounter, Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival 2019 - £1,050.
Gloucestershire Credit Union: Developing Gloucestershire Credit Union in Cheltenham - £3,392.
The Holst Birthplace Trust: Twinkle Twinkle - Early Years in St Pauls - £1,695.
St Pauls Residents Association: Artisans of St Pauls - Creative Christmas and Box Fresh - £1,805.
Up Hatherley Parish Council: Village Hall Refurbishment - £2,589.
Cheltenham Paint Festival: Cheltenham Paint Festival 2019 - £3,000.
Cheltenham Open Studios: Cheltenham Open Studio Website Update - £2,000.

Total grants allocated in 2018-19 - £30,074.

Community Pride Grants allocated 2017-18

St Paul’s Road Area Residents’ Association (SPRA): St Pauls lantern parade and Street watch project - £600.
Cheltenham Festivals: Community developed opera to share local stories - £4,200.
Cheltenham Christian Arts: Festival of stars - £600.
Charlton Kings Parish Council: Creating a community hub - phase 1 - £775.
Cheltenham West End Partnership: Cheltenham Together World Fun Day - £1,850.
Cheltenham Midsummer Fiesta: Midsummer Fiesta Event - £2,000.
Friends of Pittville (FOP): Learning in Pittville Park - £1,000.
Hesters Way Partnership: KGV public art planting scheme - £2,844.
Holst Birthplace Museum: Bake back in time: St Pauls - £2,225.
Oakley Community Association: Oakley scooter skate park - £5,000.
Paragon Parade Conservation Group (PPCG): Paragon Parade, sustainable planting and railing plinths project (Bath Road) - £3,100.
Friends of Sandford: Preparation of bed and planting of shrubs next to petanque courts in Sandford Park - £550.
Fiery Angel Community Benefit Society: Re-opening of The Fiery Angel pub as a community space - £3,500.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust: Hedgehog Way - £397.
Prestbury Parish Council: Prestbury Village Fair 2018 - £550.
Up Hatherley Parish Council: Mini Park – corner of Wards Road and Hatherley Road - £3,170.
Naunton Area Residents Association (NARA): Adoption and renovation of The Triangle green space - £2,118.

Total grants allocated in 2017-18 - £34,479.

Community Pride Grants allocated 2016-17

Up Hatherley Parish Council: Lighting on non-Highway Footpath - Up Hatherley - £2,000.
Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Branch, Royal National Lifeboat Institution: Commemoration of the launch of the Cheltenham Lifeboat at Pittville Upper Lake, October 1866 - £875.
Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation: Judaism: Educational Resources - £1,110.
Cheltenham West End Partnership: Cheltenham Together Annual Culture Share event - £1,500.
Holst Birthplace Museum: Events Programme with Pop Up Victorian Cafe - £3,000.
The Rock: St Peter’s and the Moors Community Café - £1,000.
Fairview Community Association (FCA): Fairview Community Fireworks Party - £1,500.
Cheltenham Open Studios (COS): COS17 - £2,000.
The Friends of Hatherley Park: Plant up that space - £611.
SPRA: 1) St Paul’s Local History day, 2) Front garden award, 3) New community noticeboard, 4) Additional litter bins - £695.
Prestbury Parish Council: Provision of security gates to the Blacksmith’s Lane Allotment Garden - £1,500.
African Community Foundation: Black History Month Cheltenham - £2,000.
Cheltenham Midsummer Fiesta: Midsummer Fiesta - £2,500.
Cheltenham Christian Arts: Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival 2017 - £2,500.
Cheltenham Minster Bell Appeal: Cheltenham Minster Bell Appeal - £1,000.
Charlton Kings Youth and Community Centre: Charlton Kings Youth and Community Centre – Kitchenette for All Users - £1,500.

Total grants allocated 2016-17 - £25,291.

Community Pride Grants allocated 2015-16

Up Hatherley Parish Council: Benches in Chargrove and Redthorne Way Open Spaces - £651.
Holst Birthplace Trust: Holst in your Neighbourhood - £3,000.
Cheltenham Business Partnership: Christmas Festival of Fun - £3,000.
Cheltenham Business Partnership: Christmas Festival of Fun funding to pay for Frozen characters - £600.
Cheltenham Festivals: A Way with Words - £2,500.
Cheltenham Poetry Festival: Cheltenham Poetry Festival Outreach - £2,000.
African Community Foundation: Black History Month - £3,000.
Cheltenham West End Partnership on behalf of Cheltenham Together: Cheltenham Together - £1,700.
Vision 21: Umbrella incorporating 'Shedlike' and 3Rs (Recycling Racegoers Refuse) - £1,366.
Midsummer Fiesta in Montpellier: Midsummer Fiesta in Montpellier - £2,000.
Cheltenham in Bloom: Enhancing a Gateway of The Town – Part Two - £1,250.
SPRA: SPRA community projects (several components) - £1,621.
The Montpellier Association: Montpellier Street Roundabout / Planter and Winter Lights for trees in Montpellier Walk - £3,400.
Suffolk Traders: Suffolks’ Street Art: A scheme designed to display and celebrate artistic talent that reflects the history, community and creative diversity of the Suffolks area - £5,000.
Benhall Residents Association: Benhall Park underpass / bridge wall art phase 2 - £750.
The Rock: St Peter’s and the Moors Community Cafe - £1,645.
Fairview Community Association (FCA): Fairview Stakeholders’ Marketplace - £1,120.
Clifton Catholic Diocesan Trust: Charlton Kings Film Society - £2,000.
Friends of Hatherley Park: Take Notice! - £640.
County Community Projects (CCP): Involve Gloucestershire (Cheltenham) - £3,200.
Saint Stephen’s Parish Church: Saint Stephen’s Roof Appeal - £3,500.
Cheltenham Saracens: Football Academy for young players - £300.
Cheltenham Christian Arts: Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival 2016 - £2,025.
The Cheltenham Trust: Rugby World Cup 2015 celebrations - £1,500.

Total grants allocated 2015-16 - £47,768.