Grants programme awards more than £80,000 to local projects last year

The Orchard Nursery Project, Sunnyside Rural Trust

Dacorum Borough Council has completed Round 3 (Winter 2025) of its Community Grants programme, awarding over £80,000 to 44 voluntary and community sector organisations for 2025/26. In addition, applicants have secured a further £77,000 in match funding, providing significant additional support for projects that benefit local residents.

A wide range of organisations have received funding this round. Recipients include Dacorum Community Trust, to purchase white goods for clients in crisis; Tring Together, to support the Tring Christmas Festival; Liberty Tea Rooms, to provide digital staff training; Dacorum Sports Network, to carry out a sport/wildlife feasibility study; Dacorum Heritage Trust, to share stories of Dacorum; Electric Umbrella, to purchase digital and musical equipment; and Herts Vision Loss, to purchase specialist vision‑support equipment.

Cllr Adrian England, Portfolio Holder for Place, said: ‘We are proud to support these fantastic projects that bring people together and create opportunities for young people and local communities. The community grant scheme is a great example of how we can make a real difference at a local level.’

How to apply for the next round of grants

Community, voluntary, arts, culture and sports organisations based in the borough can apply for grants of up to £4,000. The next round of Community Grants opens on 1 April 2026 and closes on 31 May 2026, with the grant panel meeting in late June. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early.

The Community Grants programme has supported Dacorum organisations for over a decade and includes two funding streams:

  • Small Grants Fund – awards up to £550
  • Community Grants Fund – awards up to £4,000

Eligible voluntary sector organisations, community groups and sports clubs can apply through the online application portal, with three rounds available each year.

The Council particularly welcomes applications for projects that:

  • are new or innovative
  • benefit the local community
  • demonstrate partnership working with other voluntary organisations
  • have a range of funding sources

Further information, including full criteria and how to apply, is available on the Council’s website: Dacorum Community Grants

Applicants needing additional support can contact Community Action Dacorum, who offer advice and guidance on preparing community grant applications. They can be reached by email at: Loretta@communityactiondacorum.org.uk.