Occasional Grants

Felixstowe Town Council is committed to supporting and strengthening the many networks and community groups that help to make a positive difference to Felixstowe as a place to live, work and visit, for everyone.  We know that the Council can make a difference through our grants process, but it is also important that we seek a relationship with many of these groups to explore other ways in which they can develop and grow as they need to.

For the year 2025/26 a total of £35,000 has been made available to support community organisations which are able demonstrate a clear need for financial support and which contribute towards the vision and aims for Felixstowe.  Projects and activities must have a specific benefit to residents of Felixstowe.  We are particularly keen to hear about any Environmental projects that you are planning and require funds towards. 

The deadline to apply for our Occasional Grants are 31st May, 30th September and 31st January.  To download an application form please click here.

Any properly constituted group, club or organisation based in Felixstowe and/or operating for the benefit of its residents can apply.

Please read Council’s Occasional Grants Policy 2025-26 here for guidance on how to complete and what to include in your application.  If you need help with the application process or to submit your completed application form please contact Debbie Frost debbie.frost@felixstowe.gov.uk or 01394 288192.

Previous grant awards given:

For the first round of awards 2025-26, the Civic & Community Committee considered the applications at a grant consultation meeting on 11 June.    For the second round of awards 2025-26, the Civic & Community Committee agreed to award the following  grants towards community projects at its meeting of 22 October 2025.  Details of the meetings can be found here.

Grants were approved as follows, for further details and to see reports on how the money was spent go to the Annual Town Meeting page here

Round 1 – 2025/26

Organisation Project/Purpose Grant amount
6th Old Felixstowe Scout Group New Cooking Equipment £500
356 (Felixstowe) Squadron Air Cadets Archery Equipment £1,000 (Ringfenced)
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (Suffolk) Suffolk Seal Rescue new unit £2,000
Citizens Advice East Suffolk Conference centre facility in Felixstowe £2,000
Felixstowe BID FElixstowe Loves Weekends 15-17 August and 5-7 September £3,500
Landguard Fort Trust Landguard Fort History and Timeline room £1,000
Music in Felixstowe Free Music for All 2025 £2,000
Suffolk Mind Greencare Felixstowe, allotment-based project £300
Suffolk Mobility Events Felixstowe Disability Pride event  £862
TOTAL   £13,162

Round 2 – 2025/2026

Art on the Prom £3,000 
Felixstowe Book Festival £2,000 
Citizen’s Advice Bureau £3,000 
FACTS £2,500

Fairtrade Forum £42
Felixstowe Carnival £5,000 
Felixstowe Council for Sport and Recreation £300 
Felixstowe/Harwich Ferry £1,000
Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service £2,000 
Landguard Fort £1,000 
Royal British Region £250
Salzwedel Twinning Association £200
Wesel Twinning Association £200 

WAMFest £2,500
Level Two Youth Project £10,000 

Other Funding

CIL Funding

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge, introduced by the Planning Act 2008, as a tool for local authorities in England and Wales to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of their area.  These funds can be applied for at both District and local level.  For further information on the application process at East Suffolk Council, please go to their website here.  The application date is currently between 1 April and 31 May.  For further information email CIL@eastsuffolk.gov.uk .  Expressions of interest for Felixstowe Town Council CIL funding can be made at any time.  Applications should be based on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure; or anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area.  For further information email debbie.frost@felixstowe.gov.uk 

Felixstowe Relief Charity

Felixstowe Relief Charity has a small fund available to provide relief to beneficiaries who are in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial or other disadvantage or to aid education.  Please read their Grants policy  here, a simple guide to cost of living grants can be found here, and an application form can be found here.  Please contact trustees Darren Aitchison for further information, telephone 07838 215964, Email trustees.frc@gmail.com

Please click on the following links for information on the funding opportunities available from other grant making organisations:

Other grant awarding bodies

 East Suffolk Council

The Enabling Community Budgets (ECBs) are intended to support activities delivered by community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations. A total of £412,500 has been allocated from New Homes Bonus (funding generated through new houses built in the district) for 2024/2025. For further information contact your local East Suffolk Councillor or go to http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/community/community-grants-and-funding/ for further information on this and other East Suffolk grant schemes.

Suffolk County Council

In 2024/2025, Suffolk’s County Councillors have been given a locality budget of £450,000, divided between them; each councillor has £6,000 to spend.

Councillors are able to make recommendations about funding from this budget for local projects in their division, which should benefit the community.

Last year groups and projects that benefitted included:

  • village halls
  • sports and social clubs
  • toddler groups

For further information contact your local Suffolk County Councillor or go to https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-elected-representatives/councillors-locality-budget

Does not provide grants directly but see their role as helping people apply for external grants. More information can be found here:

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/community-and-safety/community-volunteering-and-funding/funding-and-grants/   

Suffolk Community Foundation

Many of Suffolk’s small community grants are administered through the Suffolk Community Foundation. For up to date information and a list of funds visit: https://www.suffolkcf.org.uk/