Funded partner Spring Community Hub team and guests
We welcome UK Registered Charities or CICs Limited by Guarantee to apply that:
Are Black-led
Do all or most of their work in Lambeth and/or Southwark
Are part of their local community
Have a strong track record - done good work in Lambeth and Southwark over several years
Have leaders and staff with lived experience of the issues they work on
Have strong leadership, a clear vision and good governance
Our vision is for Black-led organisations in Lambeth and Southwark to have power, agency and funding to drive positive change in their communities.
Service users from CEF Lyncx, funded partner
What Grants We Offer
Grants of up to £30,000 a year, for up to 3 years
Grants increase with inflation
You can use the money flexibly for what your organisation needs (unrestricted)
We open new grant rounds every 2-3 years, but continue to fund current partners during that time.
In 2022, 4 to 5 out of 10 eligible applicants got a grant. In 2025, more groups may apply (including CICs for the first time), so fewer may be successful.
Can Your Organisation Apply?
To apply, your organisation must meet all of the following:
Type of Organisation
You must be a UK Registered Charity or CIC Limited by Guarantee (we do not fund CICs Limited by Shares)
You must have sent your annual reports on time for the last 3 years - for charities this is to the Charity Commission and for CICs Limited by Guarantee, this is to Companies House
If you recently changed from a CIC Limited by Guarantee to a Charity, that's okay - as long as the total time is 3 years or more
Income
Each year, for the last 3 years, your income must be more than £25,000 and less than £350,000
(We check income for the current year and the last 2 years)
Black-led Organisation
Most of your Trustees, Directors and Staff identify as:
Black, African, Caribbean, Black British, Any Other Black, African or Caribbean background
(More than half of Trustees or Directors, and more than half of staff)
Work in Lambeth and/or Southwark
At least 75% of your work must be in Lambeth and/or Southwark (this must be true for the current year and the last 2 years)
If your organisation is based in Lambeth or Southwark, you get priority
We also accept applications from organisations based outside these areas if more than 75% of their work is in Lambeth and/or Southwark and they meet our criteria (like income level)
Connected to the Community
You understand the needs of your local community
Your leaders and staff have lived experience of the challenges your community faces
You can explain your work and how you are part of local networks
Strong Leadership and Learning
You have clear goals and strong leadership
You can explain how your work helps your community
You can talk about what you are learning and how you improve your work
You know your strengths and challenges
Good Governance and Finance Systems
You must have:
At least 3 Trustees or Directors who are not related
Regular board meetingsand clear decision-making
Policies including Conflict of Interest, Safeguarding and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Good finance systems including:
Budgets
Regular finance reports (every 4 months or more)
Financial controls
See FAQs for why we fund organisations with good governance and finance systems in place.
We don’t fund
Individuals
Nurseries, schools, colleges, universities or their charities (like PTAs)
