The VSSF provides core funding to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations that support residents in Kensington and Chelsea.
The Council will continue the VSSF programme from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030. This will provide another 3‑year package of core funding, totalling £2.6 million, for the local voluntary sector.
Organisations will be able to apply for one of three strands:
-Infrastructure Grant
-Open Grant
-Small Grants Fund
The Small Grants Fund will be managed on behalf of the Council by the K+C Foundation. For information about the fund, including when applications will open, visit the K+C Foundation website.
These pages contain the full programme guidance for the VSSF 2027 to 2030 grants programme, including the frequently asked questions. Please read this guidance before you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI).
The EOI is the first stage of the application process. Only shortlisted organisations will be invited to submit a full application.
For more information, visit our Voluntary Section Support Fund 2027-2030 Information page.
Through this funding round, the Council aims to support voluntary organisations to:
-help residents earlier so their needs are addressed sooner, reducing the need for Council services
-build a collaborative and resilient voluntary and community sector network in the brough that
works in partnership with the Council to meet residents’ needs
-improve outcomes for residents experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability
-maximise the impact of Council investment by leveraging additional external funding and capacity
This grant application process will consist of two stages:
Stage One: Expression of Interest
Stage Two: Full Application (by invitation only)
Whether you are thinking about applying as a single applicant organisation or as part of a consortium bid, organisations, including all partners, must meet some essential criteria:
-all applicant organisations must be a constituted organisation that is either a registered charity, Community Interest Company or Charitable Incorporated Organisation
-operational income for organisations applying for an Infrastructure Grant or an Open Grant must not exceed £3m in the last reported financial year
-operational income for organisations applying to the Small Grants Fund must not exceed £250,000 in the last reported financial year
-delivery must commence on 1 April 2027 and end 31 March 2030
-you can only apply for core costs
Additionally,
-infrastructure grant applicants must be able to demonstrate a track record of supporting voluntary organisations in Kensington and Chelsea with capacity building advice, fundraising, volunteering, and have an aim of improving the sector’s resilience
Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) is the first stage of the VSSF 2027 to 2030 application process. You can submit an EOI between Monday 16 March and 12pm (noon) on Thursday 30 April.
The EOI will help the Council to:
-confirm your organisation’s eligibility
-understand which grant strand you want to apply for
-assess how well your proposal aligns with the Council’s priorities
-shortlist organisations for the next stage
Online information sessions will run throughout March and April. They will explain the application process, show how to complete the online form, and offer a chance to ask questions. Check the website for dates.