Black History Month

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Photo of images of women with Kensington and Chelsea Black History month logo in the bottom left

What is Black History Month?

October is Black History Month, the annual celebration of the history, achievements and contributions of black British, African and Caribbean people in the UK.

Through a range of exciting and inspiring creative events and activities, each year we shine a light on their contributions to our history and culture that are often not widely known. We celebrate the contribution of black Britons to our vibrant and diverse society; contributions of those who travelled here to build new lives in the UK, and their descendants.

Black History Month Grant Scheme

The grant scheme is open for 2025 applications. Once you have read the following guidance notes and qualify to apply, contact [email protected] to take forward your application. The deadline for applications is 9am on Friday 22 August 2025.

Application Guidance Notes

Read this information carefully and in full before completing an application form to the Black History Month Grants scheme. These notes also provide details on how applications will be assessed and the processing of successful grants.

Sections

  1. Introduction to the Black History Month Grants Scheme
  2. Eligibility
  3. Completing the application form
  4. Application process

Introduction to the Black History Month Grant Scheme

Championing the culture and achievements of black British, African and Caribbean people, Black History Month celebrates these contributions through a range of exciting and inspiring creative events and activities taking place from 1 to 31 October each year.

Kensington and Chelsea Council is offering small grants of up to £1,000 to support community contributions to this year’s Black History Month.

These grants can be used for engaging and inspiring creative activities already planned, or to fund a new activity, but all events or activities must be open and welcoming to all members of the local community, who might want to attend.

Eligibility

Who can apply

We welcome applications from local organisations, or individuals over 21 years old who are partnered with local organisations, based in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The organisations must be constituted, limited, a registered charity or under any other legal structure for an organisation, for example, family centres, tenant and resident associations (TRAs), community interest companies (CIC). You will need to provide the registration number for the organisation if your application is successful.

Applicants with demonstrable event management experience are particularly welcome.

Who cannot apply

We welcome applications from any of the following as partners of projects, but not as a lead applicant:

  • schools or educational establishments
  • any local authority-maintained organisation or departments within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea local authority
  • commercial companies or profit-making organisations with projects for the purpose of making a profit.

Eligible for funding

All activities and events must take place within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and be of demonstrable benefit to residents.

We welcome projects where the activities reflect a wide range of creative and cultural artforms within in the borough from creative participatory projects, tours, artist-based talks, theatre, dance, literature etc.

In-person events and activities must take place in accessible venues and demonstrate that they are compliant with the Equality Act 2010 and not discriminate on grounds of:

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race
  • religion or belief (or lack of belief)
  • sex
  • sexual orientation
  • marriage and civil partnership

Not eligible for funding

We will not fund:

  • projects that are for private gain, or result in a profit
  • projects that have no public benefit for residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
  • existing website maintenance
  • promotional material, videos and online marketing for the applicant in general, rather than the specific activity in the application
  • study or training fees
  • activities that promote a particular political or religious view
  • framing or exhibition mounting costs
  • refreshments or meals
  • capital costs
  • core running costs or overheads, for example utilities, stationery or rent, although up to 10% of your budget can include costs for overheads specific to your application
  • budget deficits and loan repayments
  • VAT
  • endowments
  • activities that have already taken place
  • activities placed in a formal education setting as part of the core curriculum

Award amount

Organisations can apply for a grant up to a maximum of £1,000.

Completing the application form

About your organisation

  • Basic information about your registered organisation or partner organisation type
  • More information on the nature of the organisation’s work, and any recent professional experience that demonstrates the ability to deliver your project.

Your project

Include details of:

  • what you are proposing, what you hope to achieve, how it relates to Black History Month and any other local organisations you have approached or identified as project partner(s)
  • how you intend to promote the project
  • how you intend to monitor and evaluate the success of the project, such as audience feedback, participant surveys, case studies etc.
  • your intended audience or participants, and if your project is targeted at any specific community, age or gender group
  • full venue or location address of your project
  • clear dated timeline for your project

Budget

Your budget needs to be separated into two sections: income and expenditure, and both must balance, so your income matches your expenditure.

You must show how you have arrived at your figures, for example the number of days you will be employing an artist; or the number of tickets you expect to sell and at what price.

Include the value of any in-kind support, showing this in both the income and expenditure columns to ensure that your budget balances.

Income from other sources can take the form of:

  • a grant from another public funding body
  • a grant from a trust or foundation
  • sponsorship or donations from a business
  • your own or another private individual’s contributions
  • earned income, for instance sales of tickets, merchandise, refreshments or advertising
  • in-kind support such as materials, equipment, work or rehearsal space, transport and professional time given free to the project, both artistic and administrative

Declaration - supporting Information

If you feel that your application will benefit from supporting information, such as visuals of your work that cannot be accessed on a website, you can provide this as a PDF, the equivalent of two sides of A4.

Application process

Applications will be assessed against the following five criteria:

  • relevant link to Black History Month
  • clear benefits to the residents of Kensington and Chelsea
  • strong, clear and relevant arts or creative element
  • demonstrating assurances in planning and organisation
  • a viable budget, offering value for money

If your application is successful

The Culture Service advises successful applicants by email, comprising:

  • an offer letter confirming the level of funding awarded
  • whether there are conditions on this allocation
  • the grant scheme terms and conditions
  • marketing guidelines

Once we receive a signed copy of the offer letter confirming agreement to the award and the scheme terms and conditions, along with a copy of all requested financial and organisational documentation, we will arrange a BACS payment of the award.

The grant is paid in full in advance, but we require a completed project evaluation form, including final itemised list of spending along with a copy of any receipts or invoices to evidence spend, at the completion of the project or within six weeks of completion.

The grant is paid in full in advance, but we require a completed project evaluation form, including final accounts, at the completion of the project or within six weeks of completion.

Failure to return the evaluation form within six weeks of the project completion date may result in ineligibility for future funding through the scheme.

Projects must be completed within the month of October as part of the current year’s Black History Month.

It is a condition of funding that successful applicants comply with any statutory requirements relating to working with children and vulnerable adults, including valid DBS licenses.

Acknowledging the grant

Successful applicants are required to acknowledge the Black History Month grant by:

  • using the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea logo on all project publicity materials, including printed and online media
  • using the phrase 'Supported by Kensington and Chelsea Council’s Black History Month Grant Scheme' within any written information about your project, including press articles and event programmes

A copy of the logo and guidance on its use are forwarded as part of the confirmation of funding.

Repayment of a grant

Under certain circumstances, we may ask for a grant to be repaid, either whole or in part. These circumstances will vary but may include the following:

  • the applicant ceases to operate, is declared bankrupt, or placed into liquidation or receivership
  • the applicant fails to use the grant for the purpose for which it was obtained or fails to complete the project in the timeframe agreed
  • the applicant fails to comply with the conditions of the grant
  • the application form was completed fraudulently, incorrectly or misleadingly
  • the applicant acts in a manner that is fraudulent or negligent at any time during the period of the grant
Black History Month Grant Scheme terms and conditions

Overall

The grant must be used for the purpose it is awarded, as described in the offer letter.

Keep the Culture Service up to date with information about the progress of your project, including, marketing, publicity and the start and completion dates, or if the proposed outcome of the project is likely to change in any way.

If the grant is used to purchase equipment, you are required to produce a copy of an invoice or receipt at the completion of the project.

The grant will be paid in full upon receipt of your signed letter of acceptance to the terms and conditions, and the following documentation: if you are applying as:

  • a representative of an organisation: provide a copy of a recent, redacted bank statement. The bank statement must clearly display the name, address, sort code and account number of the organisation. You will also need to provide your company registration number
  • an individual who is supported by an organisation: provide a confirmation letter or email from your chosen borough-based partner organisation that can receive the grant award. We cannot pay grants into a personal bank account. Your chosen partner organisation will also need to provide the information listed above
  • an organisation: provide a copy of your constitution or memorandum and articles of association.
  • as an individual: provide a confirmation letter with bank details from an organisation that can receive the grant award on your behalf, as we cannot pay a grant into a personal bank account.

You need to also provide completed marketing information document.

You are required to complete an evaluation of the project within six weeks of the project completion date. Failure to do so may mean that you are ineligible for future funding from the Culture Service.

All projects must be completed within the month of October as part of the current year's Black History Month.

It is a condition of this grant that you comply with any statutory requirements relating to working with children and vulnerable adults. Carry out the necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before appointing staff to work with children under the age of 18 years and vulnerable adults.

The Culture Service recommends that any volunteers involved in your project are recruited and managed in accordance with guidance from the Kensington and Chelsea Volunteer Centre.

Outdoor activity

You are required to liaise with the Events Team, email [email protected] in advance of holding any activity in an outdoor public space, and to contact the Film Office at [email protected], if you are filming in any public space with a crew of five or more.

Grant repayment

The Council reserves the right to require that the grant is repaid, in part or in full, where you:

  • cease to operate, are declared bankrupt, or are placed into liquidation or receivership
  • fail to use the grant for the purpose for which it was obtained or fail to complete the project within the month of October
  • fail to use the grant for the purpose for which it was obtained or fail to complete the project within the month of October
  • fail to comply with the conditions of the grant
  • completed the application form fraudulently or negligently

Promotion of your project and the Black History Month Grant Scheme

The Culture Service requires between three and five high quality images of your project, along with the following confirmations:

  • photographer credit
  • confirmation of consent and permission of people featured in the images (see GDPR statement)
  • permission to allow the Council to make use of your project details for internal and external promotion (see GDPR statement)

GDPR statement

To comply with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s commitments under the GDPR and UK Data Protection Act 2018, we require you to ensure the following in relation to any data captured as part of your project:

  • processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner.
  • collected for a specific and legitimate purpose. It will not be used for anything other than this stated purpose.
  • relevant and limited to whatever the requirements are for which they are processed.
  • accurate, and where necessary, kept up to date. Any identified inaccuracies will be amended or removed without undue delay.
  • stored for as long as required, as specified on our records retention policy.
  • secured with appropriate solutions, which protect the data against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage.

For more information you can read the Council's fair processing notice.

Project evaluation

Once you have completed your project, complete the Evaluation Form, and return to the Culture Service within six weeks of its completion.

We particularly ask that you demonstrate the numbers of Kensington and Chelsea residents as audience of or participants in your project. This can most simply be done through the capture of postcodes.

How to apply

Once you have read the following guidance notes and qualify to apply, contact [email protected] to take forward your application. The deadline for applications is 9am on Friday 22 August 2025.


Contact us

If you have any questions about Black History Month small grants scheme, contact the Culture Service:

Last updated: 25 July 2025