Grants and Funding
External funding provides an opportunity for organisations to access additional finance to support their programmes and initiatives. The application process is predominantly competitive, requiring applicants to submit a clear, evidenced and well costed bid.
Funding for charities, community organisations and social enterprises - Suffolk County Council.
We are pleased to announce that the application window for the 2027-28 Activities Unlimited Service Investment Grants is now open. These grants are intended to support the delivery of Short Break activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Suffolk.
To ensure all applications are given full and fair consideration, the deadline for submission is midnight on Sunday 25 October 2026. Applications received after this time, or those found to be incomplete or lacking required supporting documentation, will not be considered.
All applications will be assessed by a multidisciplinary panel comprising Suffolk County Council representatives, parents/carers, and other key stakeholders. Funding decisions will be based on a range of criteria, including:
- Historical levels of customer engagement and uptake
- Unit pricing and overall value for money
- Geographical reach and accessibility of provision
- Responsiveness to the identified needs and preferences of children, young people, and their families
- Alignment with the strategic priorities outlined in the Activities Unlimited “I am Strategy” document
We are committed to ensuring equitable access to Short Break provision across the county and will prioritise proposals that demonstrate best value and responsiveness to the diverse needs of our SEND community.
Safeguarding Requirements
Successful applicants will be required to complete a Safeguarding Self-Assessment. This will be issued following the panel’s review. If you have previously completed a safeguarding assessment for another Suffolk County Council department, please share your existing submission with us.
Application Resources
The application form, guidance notes, and the Activities Unlimited service development strategy are available on the Local Offer website. We encourage you to review these documents carefully before submitting your application.
Key Dates for Your Planning:
- Tuesday 15 September 2026 – Application window opens
- Sunday 25 October 2026 (midnight) – Application window closes
- 9 - 10 December 2026 – Grant Panel convenes to review applications
- By Friday 1 January 2027 – all applications notified of panel outcome.
- Friday 29 January 2027 – Deadline for Safeguarding Self-Assessment submission
- January to March 2027 – Finalisation of delivery plans and issuance of formal Grant Agreements
Should you have any questions or require assistance with the application process, please do not hesitate to contact the Activities Unlimited team by emailing auprovision@suffolk.gov.uk
We look forward to receiving your application and to working collaboratively to enhance opportunities for children and young people with SEND in Suffolk.
Useful Documents:
Grant Letter Inviting Applications
Practical Support & Guidance
Community Action Suffolk help Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprises (VCFSE’s) by supporting organisations to work towards building long and viable futures for their services through our training offer. All organisations need to be sustainable.
Financial Sustainability and Funding Development Advice & Support
Sustainability and Funding Advice - Community Action Suffolk
For the most up to date funding available at the current time please search on the Funding4Suffolk portal.
Trainings
Training & Events - Community Action Suffolk
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Diversifying Your Income
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How to approach full cost recovery and sustainability
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Everyday Finance Essentials for Beginners
- Introduction to Writing Funding Applications
Suffolk Community Foundation
Home - Suffolk Community Foundation
Provide grants to help charities and community organisations who are supporting local people facing disadvantage, to improve their lives.
We work with individuals, families, businesses, professional advisors, and charitable trusts, helping them to fund local groups that are tackling the issues they care about most.
New Anglia Growth Hub can help your business access a range of business support services from hundreds of sources. The hub’s service is free and impartial and can help you access grants, finance, international trade support and other specialist advice – all from a single point of contact.
Practical tips and step-by-step guides on how to find the money you need for your community group, organisation or charity.
The Stronger Suffolk VCFSE Support Programme has been developed in direct response to the challenges highlighted in the State of the Sector report. These include financial pressures, rising demand, workforce and volunteer shortages, and the need for stronger leadership, governance, and organisational resilience.
It brings together free coordinated support to strengthen the resilience, leadership, and long-term sustainability of Suffolk’s VCFSE sector.
Co-ordinated by Suffolk Community Foundation and delivered in partnership with the Suffolk Funders Network, Community Action Suffolk (CAS) and Cranfield Trust, the programme provides a pathway of funded support based on organisational need.