THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District

THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District provides a sustainable source of funding for charitable and community organisations. So local groups can apply for funding for activities and services that support people, keeping them connected to their community and with each other. Projects should also provide long term benefit to local people and the communities they live in.

In April 2023 local government boundaries changed in North Yorkshire. However, the area of benefit for THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate district remains the area that was formerly Harrogate District (see map below). This geographical area reflects who made donations into the fund, and the places and communities they wanted to benefit.

Issues

THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District addresses needs of local people in the area around issues like:

inequality and hidden poverty
loneliness and social isolation
health and wellbeing
Support and wellbeing activity for children and young people

Where the funding comes from

The fund was kick-started thanks to the generous support of the former Harrogate Borough Council. It has also been funded by the Harry Bolland Trust Fund, with proceeds from THE LOCAL LOTTO and other local donors, which enables grants to be awarded each year.

What area does THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District cover?

The LOCAL FUND covers the whole of the former Harrogate District. This includes the towns of Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Masham, Pateley Bridge and the rural areas in between. On the map below, the shaded area shows the coverage of the Harrogate District.

Size of grants

You can apply for a grant of between £200 and £3,000.

Who can apply?

Before applying, please read our How to Apply page for information on general eligibility.

The fund aims to grow local giving and provide a sustainable source of funding. So we target grants at small organisations with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference. Your organisation must also be based in and/or working in the area served by the former Harrogate Borough Council.

Please read the LOCAL FUND Guidance Notes 2025 carefully for eligibility for this round.

What sort of groups can apply?

small voluntary and community groups
small charities
other types of not-for-profit organisations ( provided that they can clearly demonstrate that the purpose of the organisation is wholly charitable).

How to apply?

Before applying, please read the Guidance Notes 2025 for this grant scheme carefully. We have updated them in early 2025. So you may need to read them again even if you have applied previously.

Then click on the button below to start your application.

Next, at the end of the application form we ask you to accept the terms and conditions of holding a grant. This is so that if you are successful, we can make payment more quickly.

Lastly, your application is only complete when we have received all your supporting documents. You can attach your documents to the online application, or email to [email protected]

Please note: If you are sending your supporting documents in the post, please can we ask that they are NOT stapled. Thank you so much!