Community Funding
Comic Relief Funding Guide 2024
Comprehensive guide to securing Comic Relief funding for your community projects, from local initiatives to international development programs.
>£95M
Biennial Investment
>£1k-£500k
Grant Range
32%
Average Success Rate
14 weeks
Decision Timeline
Main Funding Streams
UK Communities Fund
35% success rate
Funding Range: £1,000 - £100,000
Deadlines: Four rounds yearly
Focus: UK community projects
International Development Fund
28% success rate
Funding Range: £50,000 - £500,000
Deadlines: Two rounds yearly
Focus: Global poverty alleviation
Innovation Fund
32% success rate
Funding Range: £10,000 - £150,000
Deadlines: Annual application
Focus: Innovative solutions
Priority Funding Themes
Mental health and wellbeing
Young people and education
Homelessness and housing
Domestic and sexual violence
Older people and isolation
LGBTQ+ rights and support
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply
- Registered charities
- Community interest companies
- Community and voluntary groups
- Social enterprises
Key Criteria
- Focus on disadvantaged communities
- Evidence-based approach
- Participatory methodology
- Value for money
Application Process & Timeline
1
Pre-Application (4-6 weeks)
Community consultation, needs assessment, partnership development
2
Application Submission (2-3 weeks)
Complete online application with evidence and budget
3
Assessment Period (12-14 weeks)
Expert panel review and due diligence checks
4
Decision & Award (1-2 weeks)
Final decision and grant agreement setup
Success Factors
- Clear evidence of need and impact
- Strong community connections
- Participatory approach to delivery
- Sustainable funding model
- Appropriate scale and ambition
- Robust monitoring and evaluation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak evidence base
- Poor community engagement
- Unrealistic project scope
- Inadequate budget justification
- Weak partnership arrangements
- Poor outcome measurement
Key Application Components
Project Description
- • Clear problem statement and need
- • Target beneficiaries and communities
- • Innovative approach and methodology
- • Expected outcomes and impact
Evidence and Evaluation
- • Community consultation evidence
- • Baseline data and research
- • Monitoring and evaluation plan
- • Learning and sharing strategy
Ready to Apply for Comic Relief Funding?
Get expert help with your Comic Relief application. Our AI-powered platform understands community funding requirements and guides you through every step.