Wigan Council proudly recognises the vital role that our Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector plays in shaping a stronger, more connected Borough.
The VCFSE sector is the heartbeat of our communities - working closely with residents to provide support, guidance, and activities that are local, inclusive, and accessible.
The sector enables residents in Wigan Borough to live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives.
To enable this essential work to thrive, the Supporting Communities Fund has been created. This fund enables VCFSE organisations to continue making a difference - supporting residents and communities in ways that align with our Progress with Unity missions:
- Mission 1: Create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses - “Together, we will break down the barriers that create financial, health, education and environmental inequalities in our borough”
- Mission 2: Make all our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them - “Together, in genuine partnership with our residents and businesses, who know our community best, we will help each town and neighbourhood in the borough celebrate and maintain their identity whilst understanding and helping to achieve what is needed to thrive.
Read more about our missions - ‘Progress with Unity’
This webpage is your guide to understanding the fund, exploring eligibility, and submitting a strong application. Whether you're a grassroots group or an established organisation, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
The Supporting Communities Fund was launched at the start of 2024 and since then, the response has been incredible.
Over the last three rounds, we’ve proudly supported 189 community-led projects, awarding a total of £193,067.07 in funding. These projects have made a real difference - bringing people together, tackling local challenges, and helping residents live healthier, happier lives.
Wigan Council remains firmly committed to backing the brilliant work of our local community organisations. That’s why we’re excited to announce the reopening of the Supporting Communities Fund. The fund will open on Monday 29th September 2025.
This is your opportunity to access funding that supports our mission and strengthens our borough.
Criteria and approach
The fund aims to improve community wellbeing by reducing loneliness, developing and promoting community cohesion, building on community spirit and bringing communities together.
This will be done by offering up to £1000 of funding to grass roots organisations who are working in our neighbourhoods (within Wigan Borough).
What is it?
The fund will accept applications from voluntary and community organisations in Wigan Borough around the following themes:
- Projects which support the Progress with Unity missions
- Opportunities to bring people together and reduce loneliness
- Collaboration with other organisations. Joint applications will be scored highly
- Projects that strengthen relationships
- Ideas that have a wide reach, that are engaging and involve people that are not already engaged. We want everyone to be involved
- Ideas that will develop something new in the community
- Supporting people in the community to develop new skills and provide volunteering opportunities
- Opportunities and ideas to address inequalities and promote inclusion will be scored highly
- Applications with match funding will be scored highly.
All bids will be evaluated on an individual basis but there are some circumstances and items which we won’t fund:
- Continuous funding
- Trips and excursions outside of Wigan Borough
- Uniforms/sports kits
- Gifts and prizes
- Long term contracts
- Expenses
- Applications where planning permission is required
- Improvements to buildings and capital costs
- Projects that have already been funded or already been delivered
- Project planning and consultant fees
- Running costs including utility bills.
Who can apply?
- Community organisations based in Wigan Borough, particularly small community based local groups that encourage community spirit, engage volunteers and who need some financial support
- Joint applications from 2 or more groups coming together will be scored highly
- Organisations who have a community bank account with 2 signatories (not at the same address). The account must be in the name of the community group
- Organisations with a constitution
- Organisations that are not for profit. (All income is used to achieve the organisation’s charitable aims and cannot be paid out to members, shareholders or owners. Relation to a CIC – a CIC limited by shares is still not eligible as it has shareholders who can draw dividends).
How much can I apply for?
You can apply for funds up to £1000 (of which we will fund up to £250 towards volunteer recruitment).
Need help?
Prior to completing an application form please contact the Communities Team online to discuss your idea and for further advice or support.
How to apply
Applications are little different than they used to be and will be open on a continuous basis. You can apply using the online application on this page. We strongly suggest discussing your ideas with your Community Officer before submitting an application. If you’re not sure who your community officer is please email [email protected]
We will accept 2 applications from an organisation over a 12 month period but no less than 6 months apart.
How will a decision be made?
An officer will contact you about your application which will be initially reviewed to make sure it meets the criteria.
If it meets the criteria, it will then be passed to a decision panel who will make a final decision.
The panel will decide whether the application will be fully funded, partially funded, or declined.
You will be notified of the decision by email and, if successful, be given further instructions.
If you are unsuccessful, your Community Officer will be happy to support you further.
We will require receipts or evidence of payment of any grant you receive. We will request evaluation and feedback 6 months after you receive your grant. If we do not receive this, you will not be accepted for further applications.
Funding Friday drop-in sessions
Funding Fridays sessions are held every other Friday. They are available for groups to call in and speak to us about funding options from the Community Recovery Fund, Community Safety Funds, Crowdfunding, and external funding such as Big Lottery, Children in Need etc.
Celebrating success
This new fund is an evolution of the Community Recovery Fund, which the first six phases of supported our communities following the pandemic. Many of our VCSE organisations were instrumental in delivering the crisis response to our vulnerable residents and we are pleased to announce that we have supported 380 projects totalling a funding amount of £308,892.012.