Jimbo’s Fund

Key information

• We actively welcome more applications from, or benefitting, people under-represented in our grant making. These are: LGBTQIA+, racially minoritised, d/Deaf or disabled people
• The applicant needs to evidence their track record in Leeds and must have been operating for at least 2 years
• Funds will support people overcoming adversity and applications need to outline how they are addressing the need(s) of people they support
• Projects supporting people in LS8, LS9, LS14 and LS15 will be prioritised
• Organisations applying need to demonstrate a good track record and/or connection with the communities in the city
• The amount requested should be at least 50% of the total cost of the activity
• Only one application per organisation can be considered

Examples of activity that can be funded

• Activities that local people/participants have been consulted on, and the proposal responds to their needs
• We appreciate that many community organisations may wish to seek support towards keeping their community spaces open, alongside more targeted support for people experiencing food and fuel poverty, and other adverse effects of the rise in living costs
• Past funded activity include: supporting asylum seekers with food and clothing; helping families access baby essentials, such as cots and bedding; street-level youth work for young people disengaged from mainstream services

Grant holders who received a 3 year grant in 2025 will not be eligible for this round 

What can’t be funded?

• Activity and costs that have already taken place
• Activity which might be regarded as discriminatory and/or excludes some people without good justification
• Activity that promotes a particular political or religious point of view
• Activity primarily for the benefit of animals
• Capital appeals for building projects
• Grant-making to other organisations and/or individuals, or applications from individuals
• Statutory organisations or activity
• Overseas organisations, expeditions or overseas travel

Who can apply?

Grants of £5,000 or less

• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations (e.g. CIO, CIC limited by guarantee, charitable companies) registered with the Charity Commission, Companies House or FCA Mutuals Public Register.
• Registered charities that aren’t an incorporated structure. These cannot use grants for PAYE staff, only self-employed workers.
• Small unincorporated and unregistered organisations – if annual income is less than £10,000 and the grant wouldn’t push income above £10,000 in the current financial year.

Grants over £5,000

• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations (e.g. CIO, CIC limited by guarantee, charitable companies) registered with the Charity Commission, Companies House or FCA Mutuals Public Register.
• Registered charities that aren’t an incorporated structure. These cannot use grants for PAYE staff, only self-employed workers.

Not eligible for grants: 

For-profit, overseas and statutory (e.g. schools and hospitals) organisations or activities.

All organisations, regardless of size and structure, must have:

• A minimum of three unrelated trustees/committee members/directors, with none registered as Persons with Significant Control.
• A governing document showing how your group is managed (e.g. constitution, memorandum and articles of association) with a dissolution clause/asset lock that ensures the organisation is fully constituted as not-for-profit.
• A bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two unrelated signatories, and at least two signatories required to authorise all transactions.
• Financial accounts that clearly show the organisation’s gross income. Or, if you’re a new organisation, an income and expenditure report. This should include details of any assets and reserves, as well as policies relating to them. We don’t accept draft accounts.
• Relevant safeguarding policies if working with children or vulnerable adults.

You should consider

• Full Cost Recovery, including a relevant portion of management costs and overheads
• Paying at least the real Living Wage for any staff
• How your costs may increase during the timeframe of the grant, for example making sure you budget for pay increases each year
• How to ensure the activity is fully inclusive and accessible for your communities, particularly with a rise of living costs (for example providing transport, food, childcare)
• Any relevant insurance (for example for public events), health and safety, food handling and preparation, and other local and national statutory regulations for your activity

Please note we have limited funding available and we’re not able to fund every application we receive. We expect to be able to fund around 25 applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The decision made by the grants panel is final.

Before you start your application, please read our full grant-making process and our guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in applications and reporting.

To start your application, click on the Application Form button at the top of this page.

If you have any questions, we’re happy to help on 0113 242 2426 or grants@leedscf.org.uk.