£260k grants scheme to benefit charities, social enterprises and community groups across West Northants

14 April 2026

Charities, social enterprises and community groups across West Northamptonshire are set to benefit from a £260,000 investment to unlock more funding, grow skills and volunteering, strengthen their voice in local decision making, and reach more residents. 

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is inviting Expressions of Interest from voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to deliver a new Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) grant, providing targeted capacity building and sustainability support - particularly for small and micro organisations, resident led groups, and those working in priority Local Area Partnership (LAP) neighbourhoods.

The LIO will play a central role in supporting WNC’s Prevention Strategy, the development of Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) and the wider ambition to reduce crisis demand, build community resilience, and enhance the impact of local community organisations.

The grant will appoint a single organisation (or consortium) to deliver a programme that:

• Strengthens the VCFSE sector in West Northants, building organisational capacity, governance, safeguarding, finance, risk and HR.
• Grows funding and investment, helping local organisations secure external funds and become bid ready.
• Builds community based early help and prevention, aligned with the Prevention Strategy and Local Area Partnership (LAP) priorities.
• Amplifies a strong, representative VCFSE voice in local system decision making.
• Improves workforce skills, quality and impact, including volunteering pathways and quality assurance.

Delivery will include:

• Tailored support for small charities, CICs, faith and resident led groups in priority LAP areas.
• Workforce development covering safeguarding, trauma informed practice, governance, charity law, fundraising, volunteer management and strategic leadership.
• Training, templates and coaching to develop robust plans, policies and fundable proposals.
• 1 to 1 organisational development for groups under pressure or experiencing growth.
• Brokerage of volunteers and trustees to strengthen capacity.

“This fund invests in the organisations that power local good - helping our charities, social enterprises and community groups to grow skills, secure funding and work together.

“By strengthening the support behind the sector, we can amplify what local groups already do best: supporting residents, unlocking opportunities and strengthening community life in every part of West Northamptonshire.”Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at WNC

Further information and the full criteria are available via the Community Funding Grants Framework on the WNC website. To discuss eligibility or request an Expression of Interest application form, please email [email protected] with your contact telephone number and the Community Funding Grants Team will be happy to arrange a call.

The deadline for submitting applications is 10am on Wednesday 13 May, 2026.