Community Funding

What’s available, and how to apply.

Please note: this web page was updated in December 2025, including all forms and guidance documents. If you’ve already started work on an application for the March 2026 deadline using the old form, this will be accepted by the Community Funding Committee. From May 2026 onwards, applicants are advised to use the guidance and forms on this page.

Please read all attached documents before starting to fill in your application form.

Hebden Royd Town Council (HRTC) serves Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale and is the tier of local government closest to the people. Councillors therefore have close ties to their local community. The council’s income comes principally from a precept paid by local residents as part of their council tax. A large proportion of this income is then used to give grants to support local organisations and projects that will enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of people who live and work in the Hebden Royd area.

GRANTS AVAILABLE

The size of the HRTC community funding budget varies from year to year. The total amount available in any given year is determined by the Full Council as part of the annual budget setting process.

Grant awards range from £500 to £5000. In exceptional circumstances awards may exceed this figure, however, applicants would need to clearly demonstrate the extreme nature of the request.

Grants may be given to new or on-going projects and may be for either capital or revenue funding.

Projects are expected to be completed within 12 months or less.

COMMUNITY FUNDING PRIORITIES

HRTC seeks to support projects that benefit the Hebden Royd Community, (which incorporates Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, and Mytholmroyd), including by improving resident’s quality of life, increasing community cohesion, and addressing needs like food insecurity. In particular, HRTC is keen to support projects that benefit young people, older people or those who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage. We are open to hearing about the groups you would like to support.

Priority will be given to projects that also meet one or both of the following priorities;

1. Protect our environment and reduce our carbon footprint

Having declared a Climate Emergency in March 2019, HRTC recognises the need to initiate and support projects which help to reduce carbon emissions and support nature recovery.

We would encourage all applicants to consider how their projects might make a positive impact on this agenda. For example, this could be the inclusion of a climate or nature theme within an arts project. 

All projects should seek to minimise their impact on our environment. For example, applicants should think about how they will keep energy usage to a minimum; encourage use of public transport, walking, cycling or carpooling to events; reduce or eliminate use of brochures, single use plastic and other throwaway items; and minimise food waste. We encourage applicants to source materials for their projects locally where possible.

2          Increase financial resilience

HRTC is keen to support groups that benefit the Hebden Royd community to establish themselves and become financially resilient in the long-term, whether that be by increasing their reach, boosting their profile, improving infrastructure, or leveraging it to attract larger amounts of match funding from elsewhere.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please read the below documents in full before completing your Application Form – in particular, the Application Guidance, which sets out the priorities of the Funding, as well as any projects or groups we cannot fund.

Send us your completed Application Form and supporting documents – bearing in mind the application deadlines.

Applications must be received by the Application deadline date (1^st of the month prior to the Committee meeting).

2025/26 Application Deadlines

2026/27 Application Deadlines

If you have any queries about completing your application form, contact the Communications & Engagement Coordinator, Bryony Moore  on bryony.moore@hebdenroydtowncouncil.gov.uk or 01422 842181.

If all the requested information has been provided, your grant application will be considered at the next Community Funding Committee meeting for their consideration. Please note that grant applicants are required to attend this meeting, and give a five-minute presentation on their proposed project.

These meetings are capped to a maximum of six applicants. Applicants that demonstrate an impending need and/or importance will be prioritised.

You will hear a decision on your application approximately three weeks after the deadline for that particular round.

FUNDING AGREEMENT

Each organisation awarded a grant will be required to enter into a funding agreement with Hebden Royd Town Council.

All successful applicants will be required to:

• Acknowledge receipt of any award by return
• Credit the council as a supporter of the organisation in any promotional material including use of the council’s logo
• Report to the council on how the project is progressing at appropriate intervals.
• The Council, when considering the application, may choose to allocate a member of the Community Funding Committee to support the applicant whereby invitation to the applicants management meetings would be expected.
• The council reserves the right to request an interim report and for the applicant to give a final report to council reporting on outcomes of the funding.
• Ensure that equipment bought with the grant remains the property of the organisation to which the grant was given. Should the group cease to exist contact should be made with the Town Council to discuss disposal of assets.

Failure to comply with the terms of the agreement may result in a requirement to refund all, or part of, the award made by the Council as outlined in the Funding Agreement.

Previous awards do not imply continued funding in subsequent years awards are made on a ‘one off’ basis and do not carry any commitment to future funding.

Make sure you keep a copy of your application as you may need to refer to it again if we award you a grant.