Two new community grant schemes launch thanks to funding

Two grant schemes to support the great work of community groups across the district launched on September 9 thanks to a significant financial boost from the East Lindsey Investment Fund (ELIF).

The £2million investment will make way for two schemes – the East Lindsey Community Legacy Scheme and the East Lindsey Pride in Place Larger Grant Scheme.

Building on the success of the GRASSroots Scheme, which supported more than 120 projects across the District, the new East Lindsey Community Legacy grants scheme offers grants up to £35,000 which aim to support individual community facilities, parish councils, village halls, community projects and grassroots sports clubs.

Lincolnshire Community Foundation has been granted £1.5million from the second ELIF – a major investment of £20million of the authority’s own funds into the local growth and future of the district – to manage the scheme on behalf of the Council.

Funding from this scheme will be awarded in 2026 and 2027, for projects that will deliver by February 2028.

A further £500,000 has been made available for the continuation of the ELIF Pride in Place Larger Grant Scheme which offers grants of over £35,000 for larger, strategic community projects that benefit a large proportion of the district's residents or that make a strong contribution to local growth and pride in place.

This scheme builds on a £1million investment made through the 2025-6 East Lindsey Pride in Place Fund, also funded by ELIF, with the transformation of the Skegness Foreshore, shopfront and signage improvement project in Woodhall Spa and additional investment at Bolingbroke Castle being just a few examples of the projects that were funded by the scheme.

Funding for this scheme will be awarded in late 2026, for projects that will deliver by February 2028.

Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: “Investing in our places – from our villages to our market towns, from the coast to the Wolds – remains at the heart of East Lindsey District Council’s vision for the future.

“We want to accelerate economic growth through investing in communities and place across the district, ensuring that our residents benefit from major improvements to where they live, work and visit.

“This is why we are renewing our large grant scheme along with giving Lincolnshire Community Foundation the funding needed to manage a new grant scheme on behalf of the Council, offering smaller grants.

“Both schemes share the same goal of raising living standards and building greater pride in place, which is a major priority for East Lindsey District Council.”

Sue Fortune, CEO at Lincolnshire Community Foundation said: “Local organisations know their communities, and this funding will help turn good ideas into projects that create lasting benefits. We’re looking forward to bringing our local knowledge and grant making experience to the scheme and continuing to help and support organisations across East Lindsey to make the most of this opportunity.”

For more information on how to apply and application forms, visit www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/LGFD