Find out everything you need to know about applying for Lewisham Main Grants.
I'm interested in making an application for Lewisham Main Grants 2026-29 - What do I need to know?
Deadline for applications: Monday 6 October - 5pm
Before beginning your application
Please read the application guidance provided. This is a fully comprehensive guide to making your application to the Main Grants fund. Understanding and using the guidance will improve your chances of submitting a strong application.
The overview of what you will expect to see in the guidance is below.
Help and support for applicants
The Community Development team is here to support you throughout the application period.
We strongly encourage you to attend our workshops and 1-2-1 sessions—online or in person—to gain valuable insights into the grant priorities, the application process, and to get your questions answered.
These sessions will boost your chances of submitting a strong application and offer a great opportunity to connect with other local organisations.
We have also provided access to a number of data websites and useful documents that can help you gather information and supporting data when completing your application form. To access these links and documents visit our Grant Support Hub
How to make an application to Main Grants 2026-29
Making your application
When you start your application there are important things to understand before you begin to complete your form, such as:
- The Theory of Change - intended outputs, outcomes and impact
- Definitions - what we mean by Infrastructure and capacity building
- Application Guidance - which includes guidance notes for every question in the application form
- Deadline and timeline
- What are our Main Grants Neighbourhood Areas - these areas are specific to the Main Grants Programme
Overview
The Main Grants Programme will provide three years of funding from April 2026 to March 2029. The funding comes directly from Lewisham Council’s budget as part of its long-standing support for the borough’s voluntary and community sector (VCS), with a contribution from the Better Care Fund. For the 2026–2029 cycle, the total programme value is £2,112,308, made up of approx. £1.6m from Council funds and £0.5m from the Better Care Fund.
What's new for 2026-2029 Main Grants
The 2026–2029 Main Grants Programme introduces several important changes aimed at strengthening the voluntary and community sector (VCS) while adapting to reduced funding levels. The changes have been agreed following consultation with the VCS and the wider public and reflect the majority view on how Main Grants should adapt to the changing funding landscape.
Who can apply?
Am I Eligible to apply?
Any voluntary or community organisation that provides services in the London Borough of Lewisham can apply for Main Grants—provided they meet the programme’s eligibility and funding criteria.
Fund Criteria
Applying for Neighbourhood Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grants
In each of the four neighbourhoods, we seek to fund one organisation or a formal partnership with one lead applicant, delivering on a package of Neighbourhood-focused services
Find out more about Neighbourhood Grants Criteria
What are our neighbourhoods - these areas are specific to main grants
Applying for Borough-Wide Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grants
We are seeking applications under a number of priority areas for organisations to deliver infrastructure, capacity building, and voice and representation projects borough-wide.
Find out more about Borough-Wide Main Grants Criteria
Applying for Transition Grants - Open to organisations currently funded by Main Grants
We understand that shifting from funding frontline service delivery to supporting Neighbourhood and Borough-wide infrastructure is a significant change. This transition may place added pressure on long-standing frontline organisations.
To support this shift, we’ve set aside approximately 10–15% of our Main Grants Funding (excluding the Advice Service allocation) for Transition Grants. These grants are designed to help existing frontline services adapt and build resilience, while laying strong foundations for future infrastructure.
What we cannot fund with Lewisham Main Grants
- Lobbying, political activity or the promotion of private interests
- Projects with significant ongoing financial/revenue implications for the council which are not covered by the bid
- Religious activity (although we can fund religious organisations if their project benefits the wider community and doesn’t include religious content)
How much can I apply for?
For the 2026–2029 cycle, the total programme value is £2,112,308. From this total, £600,000 has been set aside for the commissioning of advice services, leaving £1,512,308 for the remainder of the programme.
Neighbourhood infrastructure and capacity building grants:
A total of £900,000 per annum is available across four neighbourhoods. However, we expect that some neighbourhoods will have greater needs in some areas and some may be awarded higher levels of funding than others.
Borough-wide infrastructure and capacity building grants:
For any of the priority areas, you may apply for up to £50,000 per annum.
Arts and culture grants
Arts infrastructure and capacity building grant (there is only one): For this priority you may apply for up to £80,000. For grants to support Lewisham’s Cultural Strategy you may apply for up to £30,000.
Transition grants
Applicants must be currently funded by Main Grants and can bid for funding up to the value of their existing grants.
What are the Main Grants Neighbourhood Areas
We have four neighbourhood areas - it is important to understand what wards are in each neighbourhood if you are planning to apply for a neighbourhood grant.
Glossary
Find definition of terms in our glossary
Contact us about Lewisham Main Grants 2026-2029
We have created a dedicated phone line and email address for your questions. Alternatively you can contact a community development officer for more information.