Funding and Support
Funding
One of the biggest challenges in delivering arts events and activities can be securing the funding to realise your vision, so Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has now launched a new 'Creative Communities Grant' scheme.
Creative Communities Grants
MBC introduced the 'Creative Communities Grants' to support events and activities that encourage arts engagement and community cohesion in Maidstone. They are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Thanks to an additional year of funding, we are now able to offer a further two rounds for 2025/26.
Total fund available: £30,000
Grant range: £500 - £2,000
Who can apply: Individual artists and creatives, community groups and cultural organisations located in the borough of Maidstone.
There are four key priorities for the Creative Communities Grants:
- Increasing pride in our borough and its communities
- Increasing participation/engagement in arts and cultural activities; working with diverse audiences
- Supporting new and existing creative talent in the borough
- Promoting the benefits of arts and culture to our society, economy, health and wellbeing
Criteria: In order to be eligible for funding, there are a number of elements to your proposal we will take into consideration. These include, but are not limited to:
- Location – this funding is to support the recovery of Maidstone town centre so priority will be given to activities and events taking place here, although elements of a project may be delivered elsewhere
- Contribution to community pride/cohesion
- Number of participants/audience
- Diversity of participants/audience
- Health and wellbeing benefits for participants and/or audience
The next round of funding is now open for applications. Apply for a grant
For the 2025/26 financial year, awards will be made as follows:
| Award Date | Applications open | Applications close | Award Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 30th April | 30th June | 14th August |
| December | 1st September | 30th November | 18th December |
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Other sources of funding:
- National Lottery Project Grants - open access programme for arts, museums and libraries projects. Grants range from £1,000 to £100,000. Individuals, organisations, museums and libraries are eligible to apply.
- Capital Investment Programme - open access programme to support cultural organisations to adjust buildings and equipment so that they can operate safely post-pandemic, improve access, seize on technological opportunities, and reduce environmental impact. Grants range from £100,000 (min) to £750,000 (max). Open to not-for-profit organisations including charities, CIC’s, CIO’s and statutory/public bodies.
- Developing Your Creative Practice - supports individuals who are cultural and creative practitioners and want to take time to focus on their creative development. Grants range from £2,000 to £10,000. Individual artists/creative practitioners are eligible to apply.
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NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND
Funding for a broad range of projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK.
Grants are made in different bands:
£3,000 - £10,000
£10,000 - £250,000
£250,000 - £5million
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Part of a UK-wide accredited network of Community Foundations, with responsibility for more than 80 philanthropic funds.
Funds are divided into 5 themes and are open all year. Average grant size up to £4,000.
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Grants are generally awarded in the range of £1,000 - £5,000. Trustees meet quarterly in January, April, July and October to review applications. The considerations which any application has to satisfy are:
* To establish, promote, equip, maintain and support any charitable undertaking or object in or for the benefit of the inhabitants of Maidstone and areas within the county of Kent.
* Maintain support of public parks and open spaces, museums and other buildings, and other amenities for the promotion of mental, moral and physical education and health within the above mentioned area.
Please visit the Trust's website for details of how to apply.
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There are a host of other regional and local organisations that also offer grants and funding.
Kent County Council collate the majority of these opportunities into a regular bulletin, called Inside Track, which includes links to the funders websites for further details. To subscribe to this bulletin, please email kccinsidetrack@kent.gov.uk
You can also search for more community grants and funding opportunities on the KCC website
Funding Support
For community groups needing advice and support with their funding application there are a number of organisations that can help:
Action with Communities in Rural Kent
Business Support
If you're looking for advice and support for your creative practice, our Economic Development team are here to help. Please visit their website for signposting and support with any aspect of your business. You can also arrange to speak with their in-house advisor, Chris Lyle. This is a free service and appointments can be in person or over the phone to suit you.