Reading Borough Council has allocated £150k for small grants to the voluntary and community sector for the year 2025/2026.
The council is inviting applications for funding to support the residents to become more self-sufficient, built on a bedrock of valued educational attainment, strong skills and practical knowledge that enables them to realise their potential through accessing suitable employment opportunities. We aim to deliver this through an innovative and targeted place-based approach to addressing the underlying determinants of deprivation within the borough that adversely affect education, skills, and training.
Purpose of the funding
The intention is to encourage small local VCS organisation and innovative community action, and the criteria is non-prescriptive to enable communities to apply for funding to support activities that are right for their community, but applications should demonstrate how they support some, or all of the following key elements of Tackling Inequality Strategy:
- Sharing Reading’s success
Prioritise support in communities that need it most, so we can achieve our collective ambitions and ensure all residents can benefit from Reading’s success. - Driving sills and employment
Improve access to skills, education and training, quality employment and volunteering opportunities in areas with the highest levels of need. - Supporting people with greatest needs
Ensure all communities can access growth and achievement opportunities . - Supporting residents experiencing disadvantage
Closing the gap between the life experiences of our residents. - Making Reading a more equal place to live
Ensure all communities can access growth and achievement opportunities.
What can you apply for?
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for smaller local VCS organisations who are not already financially supported by the council or who have received less than £20,000 in support during 2024/25.
A proportion of the Small Grants Funding will be used to support bids under £2,500. This is to provide direct support to smaller scale local activities within our communities. Bidders should provide evidence on how activities are not already provided within local area.
Grants will be awarded for purposes such as:
- Local ‘one off’ and small projects
- Running events
- Minor start-up costs (for example, to get a new idea/project ‘off the ground’)
- Purchasing equipment
- Sessional costs
Who can apply?
The grant is available to smaller local VCS organisations :
- With expected income threshold below £100k.
- Who are not already financially supported by the council or supported below a specified level (£20,000).
The grants programme is aimed at voluntary and community groups and schools based in Reading borough:
- Charitable organisations
- Voluntary organisations
- Community groups
- Faith groups
- Sports groups
- Arts groups
- Cultural organisations
- Uniformed groups (scouts, guides etc.)
- Schools
- Not-for-profit social enterprises
Application form
Find out more and apply online here
Scoring matrix
RBC have shared their scoring matrix that the panel will use to assess the applications. You can download it here.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is 31 October 2025. They aim to notify outcome of the application by week beginning 15 December 2025.
Further support
- If you have any queries please contact Bikal Shrestha, Funding Officer – Community and Government Programmes by email: bikal.shrestha@reading.gov.uk or phone 0118 937 3324.
- Paper versions of the application form are available if you are not able to apply online. Please contact the above individual.
- If you would like support with your application or any related governance, please contact Herjeet Vass at Reading Voluntary Action on advice@rva.org.uk.