Prosper Wakefield District Opens 2025 Small Grants Round!

This initiative is designed to empower local organisations to continue their impactful work within the community, whether that means supporting core costs, launching new projects, or sustaining existing ones.

Key Dates

• Applications Open: 11th June 2025
• Deadline for Submissions: 6th August 2025
• Online Q&A session: Tuesday 24th June 2025. (The link will be available on our social media platforms and by request.)

Who Can Apply?

The Small Grants Round is open to organisations that meet the following criteria:

• Be a VCSE organisation (charity, CIC, constituted community group, sports club, etc.)
• Be based in or delivering work within the Wakefield district
• Have a bank account in your organisation’s name
• Be working in a way that promotes connectivity (see more info. below)
• Have an income of less than £250,000 per year with 6 months or less unrestricted reserves

What Can the Grant Be Used For?

Grants of up to £5,000 are available. Because these are unrestricted grants, funding can support a wide range of needs, including:

• Core costs (rent, bills, staffing)
• Project or service delivery
• Equipment or resources
• Capacity building and training
• Volunteer expenses
• Anything else that supports your mission and community

Focus on Connectivity

This year, applicants are particularly encouraged to demonstrate how their work fosters connectivity within the Wakefield District. This could include:

• Social and emotional connection: Creating opportunities for people to come together, reduce isolation, and build relationships.
• Tackling social exclusion: Improving access to services or reaching those on the edge.
• Opportunities: Connecting people with new opportunities, and or/developing skills and confidence.
• Transport connectivity: Helping people get where they need to go.
• Digital inclusion: Tackling barriers to access, tech use, or digital literacy.
• Collaborative working: Working in partnership with other VCSEs to build stronger networks and shared solutions.

You don’t need to tick every box, but we want to see how your work helps people feel more connected.

How to Apply

1. Check that you are eligible on our Apply for Funding page
2. Complete the short application form which is available on our Apply for Funding page or by sending a request to info@prosperwakefielddistrict.org
3. Closing date for grant applications is Wednesday 6th August 2025

Support with your application

We know that small organisations are often overstretched.

If you need help filling in the form or want to talk through your idea, we’re here for you, just contact us.

Success Stories: Impact from Previous Beneficiaries

Making friends, boosting confidence and learning English 

A personal note from an attendee at Wakefield City of Sanctuary:

“My name is Mahmood. I would like to covey my experience in St Michael’s church. I have been here in UK approximately 6 months. I have never spoken English or got any kind of education at all. So, I noticed here is a place for teaching asylum seekers in this church. Actually, it develops my knowledge, skills and speaking. I attend each Tuesday. I start practise and join the sessions. It’s around three hours each session and has given me a great opportunity to practise and increase my vocabulary as well as self-confidence… In each session I learn more than 20 words and all the words stuck in my mind because Duncan makes the session fun and enjoyable.”

Help to cover salary overheads lead to increased achievements

The impact of help to cover salary costs at Sea Glass Collective:

“Since she started, our administrator has streamlined our admin systems. This support has enabled us to increase our achievements throughout the year, where we have completed a large and complex programme of work in Wakefield, which included a month-long exhibition of work created by adopted young people and a group of adoptive parents.  We have also delivered an ambitious project in partnership with the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and Leeds Playhouse.”

Engaging with young people on topics that matter to them

The impact of project work with The Youth Association:

Over the past seven months, 110 young people have participated in 29 sessions. These sessions featured a wide range of engaging workshops designed to address key issues affecting young people’s lives in Wakefield city centre and the surrounding areas.

Workshop Themes have included:

• Mental Health Awareness
• Healthy Relationships
• Body Image
• The Influence of Social Media
• Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Women’s Safety
• War and Self-Esteem (Podcast)
• “Why not Wakefield?”
• The Impact of Anti-Social Behaviour on Our Community

These workshops have provided young people with the tools and knowledge to tackle pressing concerns in their lives and contribute to building a safer and more inclusive environment within the city centre.

Why Apply?

The need for small grants remains high across Wakefield, with previous rounds seeing significant demand and a wide range of impactful projects have supported, as well as covering core costs such as overheads. By applying, your organisation could secure the resources needed to strengthen your work and deepen your impact in the community.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Submit your application between 2nd June and 18th July 2025 for your chance to join a growing network of groups making a real difference locally.