Grants in Kent: what is open now
As of 29 October 2026, GrantMatch lists 10 live grants for organisations in Kent. 4 close in the next 30 days, the first on 30 October 2026, 6 are open all year and 0 were added this week.
Last checked 28 October 2026.
Every grant on this page is limited to Kent or to a town, district or council area within it, as named by the funder. Funders with open grants here include Kent Community Foundation, Cory Group and Folkestone and Hythe District Council. Because each one is local, far fewer organisations can apply than for a national fund. Grants open across all of South East England are on our South East England page.
Find the grants your organisation can win in Kent
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Create free accountClosing in the next 30 days (4)
Dartford Borough Council Community Infrastructure Fund
Kent Community Foundation (Dartford Borough Council)
This fund is delivered in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and Kent Community Foundation. It offers grants of up to £20,000 to voluntary and community organisations working in the unparished areas of Dartford. The fund pays for projects that benefit local communities. These include community facilities and public spaces, play spaces, arts and cultural activities, environmental improvements, healthy community activities and community learning. You can ask for revenue costs, capital costs or both. That means it can help with running a project as well as with buying or building something. The deadline is 6 November 2026. You apply using Kent Community Foundation's General application form. When the form asks, choose 'Yes' and type the fund name: Dartford Borough Council Community Infrastructure Fund. If you apply through the Foundation's Annual or General route, your application will be considered for this fund automatically. This is an ad-hoc fund. The Foundation says you can apply to it in addition to any other application you make. One practical point to bear in mind: the fund only covers work in the unparished areas of Dartford. If your project serves somewhere else, it will not fit this fund. The Foundation does say it matches each application to the most suitable funds available, so your project may still be considered for others. If you need help completing your application, you can get in touch with the Foundation's Grants team. Official source: https://kentcf.org.uk/eligibility-success. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Ramsgate Pride in Place Community Action Grant
Ramsgate Town Council (for the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board)
Ramsgate Town Council is running the first Community Action Grant round of the Ramsgate Pride in Place Programme, on behalf of the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board. It funds locally led projects that bring visible, practical benefits to Ramsgate residents. Your project must support at least one of the town's five priorities: Open It Up (town centre, jobs and local enterprise), Clean It Up (cleaner, greener, more accessible streets), Light It Up (safer, brighter public spaces), Raise It Up (young people, skills and aspiration) and Join It Up (health, wellbeing and community support). Every application must also show how it helps move Ramsgate towards a year-round economy. Projects can be new, can grow existing work, or can keep an effective activity going if you explain the added value of the grant. There are two streams: grants up to £10,000, and grants from £10,000 to £15,000. There is no minimum request. The round has £150,000 in total. The fund suits charities, community groups, social enterprises, small businesses, sole traders and freelancers, especially those based in Ramsgate. Groups based outside the town can apply if they have a proven local track record and mainly benefit Ramsgate residents, but local presence and experience carry extra weight in scoring. The deadline is 11:59pm on Sunday 15 November 2026. The panel meets on 10 December 2026, conditional decisions follow on 11 December 2026, and projects must finish by 31 March 2028. One thing to plan for: you must have a bank account in your legal name and pass due diligence checks for handling public funds. Payments are only made after these checks and a signed agreement. Official source: https://www.ramsgatetown.org/our-community/ramsgate-pride-in-place. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Cory Community Fund 2026
Cory Group
The Cory Community Fund 2026 offers grants to local groups and projects that help make their communities stronger. It is run by Cory Group, which says caring for the environment and for the people in the areas where it works is core to its values. The fund has a particular focus on activities that support three of Cory's wider goals. These are enhancing the local environment, preventing waste and growing the reuse economy, and developing skills. The skills strand covers science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), sustainability, recycling, reuse and waste management, as well as skills on the River Thames. This fund suits community groups that want to run practical, local projects linked to these themes. You can apply for up to £7,500. This is the maximum each recipient can receive. Applications for 2026 are open now. All submissions must be received by Friday 20 November 2026, so give yourself time to finish your application before then. The most important thing to check first is location. Your group must be based in one of the areas where Cory operates: Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, City of London, Gravesham, Greenwich, Hammersmith and Fulham, Havering, Hertfordshire, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Newham, Redbridge, Thurrock, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth or Westminster. Grants are only available to groups based in these areas. To apply, use the Apply now button on Cory's Community Fund page. Official source: https://www.corygroup.co.uk/community/fund-application/. Official source: https://www.corygroup.co.uk/community/fund-application/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Hendy Foundation Grants (October 2026 round)
Hendy Foundation
The Hendy Foundation funds local charities across the south of England where Hendy Group dealerships operate, from Devon to Kent. Your organisation needs an income under £1 million and must serve people in Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey or Kent. The funder does not publish a grant size. This round closes at 5:30pm on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://www.hendyfoundation.org/grant-request/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Funders with open grants in Kent
- Kent Community Foundation (2 open)
- Cory Group (1 open)
- Folkestone and Hythe District Council (1 open)
- Hendy Foundation (1 open)
- Kent Community Foundation (Dartford Borough Council) (1 open)
- Kent Community Foundation (SWEF) (1 open)
- Kent County Council (1 open)
- Medway Council (1 open)
By grant size
| Largest award | Open grants |
|---|---|
| Up to £10,000 | 5 |
| £10,001 to £100,000 | 3 |
| Over £100,000 | 0 |
| Amount varies or not stated | 2 |
All open grants in Kent (10)
No deadline listed
Check the funder's current application window before you apply.
Kent County Council Combined Members Grant 2026/27
Kent County Council
The Combined Members Grant is Kent County Council's fund for local community projects across Kent. The money is shared equally across Kent's 12 districts, and each county councillor can award £3,600 in grants in total. Your local councillor works with the Member Hub Service team to decide whether to back your project. The grant can pay for a wide range of things. These include local events and activities, buying or repairing equipment and furniture, promotional materials, marketing and training costs, and creating or redesigning a website. It can also fund small pilot projects, community safety schemes, sports projects and mentoring to help local groups become more sustainable. Your application should support the aims of the council's policy document, Reforming Kent. It suits properly constituted community groups and organisations with a current bank account whose projects benefit local people. Schools, academies and religious groups can also apply if the project brings wider community benefit. There is no fixed closing date. Grants are awarded on an ongoing basis throughout the financial year until the money is spent, so funds can run out. You must speak to your local county councillor before you apply. After that, you ask the Member Hub Service for an application form. Once a cabinet member approves your application, you will get an offer letter or email. The council aims to pay within 28 days of receiving your acceptance form. Keep in mind that this is a one-off grant with no money for future costs. You also cannot use it to replace funding you get now, or have had in the past, from Kent County Council. Official source: https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-grants-and-funding/our-current-funding-opportunities/combined-members-grant. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Social Lending Programme
Kent Community Foundation
Kent Community Foundation offers a Social Lending Programme with unsecured loans of £10,000 to £100,000. Up to 30% of the amount can be given as a grant. The foundation describes the programme as ideal for organisations looking to grow, innovate or sustain their impact. It is one of several ways the foundation supports charities and community groups across Kent and Medway. The foundation's wider funding focuses on five priority areas: mental health and wellbeing; children, young people and families; crisis and basic needs; connected communities; and the environment. Its vision is a Kent and Medway where every community has the opportunity to thrive. One thing to keep in mind is that this is mainly a loan, not a grant. At least 70% of the amount would be a loan, so it is worth thinking about how your organisation would manage repayments before you go further. If you want to talk it through, the foundation's friendly Grants Team can guide you. You can email hello@kentcf.org.uk or call 01303 814 500. There is also a quick eligibility checker on the funding page, which can help you see whether your organisation qualifies for funding. The programme also has its own "Find out more" page. Official source: https://kentcf.org.uk/funding/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Funding for Organisations – Charities and Community Groups
Kent Community Foundation
Kent Community Foundation gives grants to support local people, charities and community groups in Kent and Medway. This listing covers its funding for organisations, which is aimed at charities and community groups. The Foundation funds work under five priority areas: mental health and wellbeing; children, young people and families; crisis and basic needs; connected communities; and the environment. Through these areas it funds hundreds of charities and community groups across the county. Its vision is a Kent and Medway where every community has the opportunity to thrive. Help is on hand if you are new to applying. The Foundation says hundreds of small charities and community groups secure funding with its support every year. You can read its application guidance, browse the FAQs and use a short eligibility checker to see whether your organisation qualifies. The Grants Team can guide you through the process by email at hello@kentcf.org.uk or by phone on 01303 814 500. The Foundation also has other routes. Professionals working with people in financial hardship can nominate individuals and families for a grant. There is also a social lending programme, with unsecured loans of £10,000 to £100,000 and up to 30% as a grant. These are separate from funding for organisations. One practical point: this page works as a starting point rather than a full set of guidelines. Use the eligibility checker and the guidance before you begin, so you can be sure your work fits one of the priority areas and your organisation qualifies. Official source: https://kentcf.org.uk/funding/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
SWEF Business Grants for Young Entrepreneurs (Kent and Medway)
Kent Community Foundation (SWEF)
Kent Community Foundation, working with SWEF, offers small grants to help young people in Kent and Medway start or grow a business. If you are aged 18-30 and own most of your business, you can apply for help with essential costs. These include equipment, materials and stock, prototypes and product development, and website or booking system builds. Second-hand items are particularly welcome, and goods and services from within the UK are preferred. There are two grants. The start-up grant offers up to £500 for businesses that are pre-revenue, earn under £500 a month, or have traded for less than two years. The business grant offers up to £2,000 for businesses trading for less than two and a half years with monthly revenues over £500. Award sizes reflect your monthly profit and the business opportunity. A grant can go towards an item costing more than the award, as long as the item costs no more than £10,000. The scheme is open for applications now, with no fixed closing date. You must show financial need. This means you cannot get a bank loan or help from friends or family. You also need a business bank account and a reference from someone who knows you professionally. Ideas alone will not be considered; you need evidence of real steps taken to get your business going. One important point: you must spend the grant within one month of receiving it. The grant will not cover salaries, rent, utilities, debt, software or app development, new computers, phones or tablets, or ongoing subscriptions. Successful applicants join the SWEF community, attend at least one meetup and share feedback after 12 months. Official source: https://kentcf.org.uk/funding/swef-business-grants/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Folkestone and Hythe Member Ward Budget Scheme 2026/27
Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Folkestone and Hythe District Council's ward budget scheme helps pay for community projects across the district. Each of the council's 30 councillors has a ward budget of up to £5,000 to support local projects. You can ask up to six councillors for support in a single application, which can help if your project reaches more than one ward. The scheme suits organisations and community groups based in Folkestone and Hythe district, or with a clear connection to the area. Town and parish councils, community interest companies, charitable incorporated organisations, registered charities, schools, and community and voluntary groups with a governing document can all apply. Other organisations working for the benefit of the local community are welcome too. The page gives no closing date for 2026/27 applications. You apply online and the councillors you choose decide whether to approve or refuse your request. You will hear the outcome, and the amount awarded, by email. The main thing to get right is your evidence. You need independent proof of every cost, such as supplier quotes or prices for the items you want the grant to buy. This evidence must add up to at least the amount you ask for. Spreadsheets or budgets you have prepared yourself do not count, and applications without proper evidence may not be considered. The money must go into a bank account in your group's name. If you do not have one, contact the Committee Services Team, as exceptions may be made in some cases. Once your project is complete, or at least every six months, you must fill in a Project Update Form. Official source: https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/community/ward-budget. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Medway Lottery Community Fund
Medway Council
The Medway Lottery Community Fund is a Medway Council scheme that gives small grants to charities and good causes working in Medway. You can apply for up to £500 to support services or activities that directly benefit people living in Medway. The fund is linked to the Medway Lottery. Money from lottery ticket sales tops up the pot on a rolling basis. This link is also a firm rule: your organisation must already be signed up to the Medway Lottery platform and actively selling tickets before you can apply. This is a discretionary scheme. The council's Chief Operating Officer and the Deputy Leader of Medway Council review every application. You will need to explain what your charitable or good cause is, why you need the grant and how much you are asking for. Your proposal must be lawful expenditure. The money cannot be used to promote religious or political ideologies. The scheme suits charities and community groups that already raise money through the Medway Lottery and want a modest boost for a local service or activity. There is one practical limit to plan around. Only one grant will be paid to your organisation each year, so think carefully about which need matters most before you apply. The council aims to review applications within 14 days. It may take longer if it needs to contact you because your application did not include enough information. Once your application is processed, the council will tell you the outcome. If you are successful, it will talk to you about next steps. Official source: https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200138/your_council/1793/apply_to_the_medway_lottery_community_fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
More grants
Questions
What grants are open in Kent right now?
Today GrantMatch lists 10 live grants limited to Kent or places within it. 4 close in the next 30 days and 6 have no fixed deadline.
Who funds grants in Kent?
Today the funders with the most open grants here are Kent Community Foundation, Cory Group and Folkestone and Hythe District Council. Each grant page links to the funder's own guidance.
Are UK-wide grants included?
No. This page only lists grants that name Kent or a place inside it, so it is not padded with national funds. Organisations here can also apply for grants open across South East England and the whole UK, which are on our South East England and UK-wide pages.
How do you check these grants?
We collect grants from official funder pages, GOV.UK, councils and community foundations, and remove them when they close. Each grant page links to its source and shows when we last checked it. Always confirm the details with the funder before you apply.