Voluntary Sector Support Fund 2027-2030

Please note: The window to express an interest in applying for an Infrastructure or Open Grant is now closed. 

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the Voluntary Sector Support Fund (VSSF) grants programme for 2027 to 2030.

The VSSF provides core funding to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations that support residents in Kensington and Chelsea.

In December 2023, the Council awarded VSSF funding to 20 organisations from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027. 9 smaller organisations also received grants through the Small Grants Fund run by the K+C Foundation for the same period.

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

Core aims of the VSSF 2027–30 programme

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 borough 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)

Eligibility Criteria

Organisations delivering on their own or as part of a consortium, must meet some essential criteria:

• all delivery partners 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

Important dates

The window to express an interest in applying for an Infrastructure or Open Grant under the VSSF 2027-30 is now closed. Applications for the Small Grants Fund will open in September 2026.

Final decisions about all the grants awarded under the programme will be published in October, for the Infrastructure and Open grants, and in November for the Small Grants Fund.