Are you an Islington-based voluntary or community organisation? Could your group or organisation do with some extra funding? Apply for Islington Council’s Community Chest!
What is Islington Council’s Community Chest?
Islington Council’s Community Chest (ICCC) is a small, flexible and relational grants funding programme for Islington’s voluntary and community sector. The funding is provided through a partnership between Islington Council and Cripplegate Foundation which administers the fund.
The fund aligns with the Council’s 2030 Missions through the following priorities:
- Empowering Lives: Residents can access inclusive, affordable support and enriching activities tailored to Islington’s diverse communities.
- Greener, Healthier Islington: Activities promote mental and physical wellbeing, while residents and organisations help bring outdoor spaces to life.
- Community Wealth Building: Residents are more financially resilient, with better access to well-paid jobs and opportunities.
- Child-Friendly Islington: All children, regardless of background or ability, have equal access to opportunities to reach their full potential.
- A Safe Place to Call Home: Residents feel safe and proud of where they live, with support available for those facing homelessness or violence against women and girls.
Eligibility & Information
There are now two ICCC application rounds each year. The next closing date is 12pm midday, Monday 21 September 2026.
Funding of up to £5,000 a year is available for voluntary organisations that work with Islington residents who are experiencing poverty and/or isolation.
To apply your organisation must have a turnover of less than £100,000. Priority is given to organisations with a turnover of less than £50,000. Organisations may only apply once a year whether a previous application was successful or not.
Applications for Islington Council’s Community Chest are considered by a Panel made up of Islington Councillors, Cripplegate Foundation Governors, members of Islington’s voluntary and community sector and local residents.
ICCC Funding Success Rate
In 2024/25, we received 79 applications and 59% were successful – only slightly lower than the 61% success rate in 2023/24, despite fewer application rounds and a reduced grants budget.
CICs
If you are a Community Interest Company (CIC) that is thinking of applying for funding please read Islington Giving’s guidance for CIC’s.
Guidance
There are comprehensive guidelines for applicants and a budget form you will need to complete.
Apply now
We accept applications twice a year. The next deadline is 12pm midday, Monday 21 September 2026 (with panel decisions in 10 November 2026). Please note: applications will only be assessed after the deadline to apply, and the Panel will meet to decide funding at least eight weeks later. Keep this timescale in mind when planning your project and deciding when to apply. You can return to any saved (but not yet submitted) application using the link below.
Deadlines & Timeline
ICCC is a rolling programme so you can apply anytime. However, you will need to apply on or before the deadlines below if you wish your application to be considered at the April or November Panel meetings when decisions are made.
The next closing date for 2026:
- 12pm midday, Monday 21 September 2026 (with panel decisions in 10 November 2026)
Funding decisions will be confirmed within a week of the panel. Our team will contact you with the Terms and Conditions, and once these are signed, you can expect to receive the funding within a month, depending on our payment schedule.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or need support with your application, we can help. Contact our Programme Manager, Patrick Jones on patrick.jones@cripplegate.org.uk or call 020 7288 6948. You can also get help and support with your application from Voluntary Action Islington.
Funded Organisations
Islington Council’s Community Chest funds over 60 organisations each year, across three funding rounds. You can read more about our former and present grantees and more in our latest ICCC Annual Report.
You can also freely download and view our data on awarded grants via the 360 Giving standard. If you have any questions or feedback about this, please do get in touch.
Stories and Impact
We share how ICCC funding is making a real difference, spotlighting the projects, people and communities driving positive change in Islington.
Other requirements
Our Programmes team will be in touch to share and answer any questions you have on reporting and branding requirements. Meanwhile, you can view some helpful links below.
Grant Reporting: Our Grant Information sheet and Monitoring Information provides an overview of key information, monitoring and finances, and publicity.
Branding: Our Google Drive folder contains key logos (in various formats), logo guidelines and branding guidelines. As a grantee, we’d also love your help spreading the word about ICCC by letting your local councillors and supporters know that ICCC is funding your work, as well as adding the ICCC logo to your online and offline materials. We are happy to work with you on this.