We are working to tackle the impact of the cost of living crisis on communities in Warwick District.

The purpose of the grant fund is to support projects or initiatives that can help households who are struggling to ease cost of living pressures, these could include:

  • Supplying food and other household essentials
  • Assisting with access to services
  • Helping with finances (for example, maximising income and reducing debt)
  • Supporting mental health and wellbeing
  • Tackling social inequalities
  • Improving Community Assets and their sustainability

We are inviting community organisations including small grass-root groups to apply for up to £1,500 in support.

Successful applications should focus on one or more of the following areas:

  • Sponsoring costs associated with community hubs, including activities.
  • Projects that provide essential support to those who are struggling based on community need
  • School holiday activities or for supporting food provision during school holidays, for families, children, and young people
  • Projects that support families with managing their household budget
  • Informative events or activities based on community need

Who can apply?

  • Constituted ‘not-for-profit’ community organisations based within Warwick District
  • Non-constituted or new ‘not-for-profit’ groups working in Warwick District that can be supported by a mainstream service or community group willing to administer the funds through an organisational bank account
  • Schools located in Warwick District if applying as a Parent Teachers Association or ‘Friends of’ group

Who can not apply?

  • Groups or organisations that have failed to meet the conditions of previous award agreements from Warwick District Council
  • Party Political/lobby groups
  • Individuals
  • Organisations based outside Warwick District

What will not be funded?

  • Projects that promote religious or party-political beliefs
  • Projects for personal profit or personal gain
  • Costs relating to items purchased or work already carried out before the grant has been awarded
  • Loans or debt repayments
  • Activities that are part of statutory obligations
  • Activities delivered under the existing contractual arrangements with Warwick District Council

Application process

Applications should be submitted using the online application form.

Apply to the cost of living fund

Please complete the application form carefully, bearing in mind the following:

  • Pay careful attention to the questions that are being asked, and to the scoring criteria. To score highly, your application will need to provide clear evidence that it meets the stated criteria
  • Applicants should submit evidence of cost (e.g., quotes) where appropriate
  • Applicants are free to submit any additional information they wish in support of their application
  • If requested, applicants may be required to submit their governing document as part of their application (electronically if possible, or as hard copy where this cannot be done)

Please note that you cannot save the online form, and you will have to complete it in one go.

We recommend that prepare your answers in advance to copy and paste into the application form. The questions are available as a downloadable document to allow you to prepare - Cost of living fund application questions. You will receive a confirmation email once your online application is submitted.

Applicants are welcome to discuss their project idea with their local Community Development Worker. For help with completing your application form, applicants are encouraged to speak to their local Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action (WCAVA) Funding and Group Development Officers.

To discuss your project idea with us, please contact our community and wellbeing team.

Application deadline

Final date for applications: Monday, 9 December 2024.

Successful applicants will be required to submit a project evaluation form.

Scoring criteria

All applications will be scored out of a total of 8 points against the following criteria, based on the information you provide in your application form. Projects will gain marks by clearly demonstrating they meet the criteria as detailed.

Criteria maximum points:

  1. Project clearly demonstrates how it supports the community with the cost-of living pressures (3 maximum points)
  2. Project clearly identifies how it will improve mental health and wellbeing of Beneficiaries (2 maximum points)
  3. Evidence that the local community has been involved in shaping the project (1 maximum point)
  4. Project can demonstrate it is working effectively with other organisations (1 maximum point)
  5. Evidence that the project will provide a direct and lasting benefit to the local community, what the longer-term impact of the project will be and how this will continue after the Cost of Living Grant has been spent (2 maximum points)

Scoring range

  • The maximum score for applications is 9 points.
  • The benchmark score is 6. Applications scoring 5 or less are unlikely to be awarded.

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