KINGSTON FIRST TOWN CENTRE COMMUNITY FUND

Applications for the current round of funding are now open. They will close on 31st January 2025. Read on for more information and to apply.

Kingston First, the town centre’s Business Improvement District (BID), recognises the important role local and community organisations play in creating a vibrant town centre.

We established the Kingston First Town Centre Community Fund to encourage and support ideas and projects that have a positive impact on the town centre, support local businesses and promote positive community engagement.

Following a successful pilot last year (find out what we funded last year here ), we are pleased to open a second window of funding which will open for applications on 1st November 2024 and close on 31st January 2025.

We are pleased to extend the funding this year to £30,000. Organisations can bid for any amount up to £15,000, this amount as long as they can also outline how they meet the criteria.

We want to help local and community focused organisations develop and grow with a fund primarily for not for profit, charity or voluntary organisations (however, other types of organisations are welcome to apply, including businesses or individuals, as long as they can demonstrate they meet the criteria) and we will be as flexible as we can be to accommodate different needs.

We will offer successful applicants access to our training and learning opportunities until the end of 2026 and support with promoting and marketing the project.

How to apply

To apply we ask you to complete an application form by 31/01/2025 demonstrating how you meet the criteria. Please also read the application guidelines before applying. Applications will open from 1/11/2024.

In a nutshell we’re open to projects and activities that can be delivered in the town centre by the end of 2026 that fit the criteria.

This could be an event, a trail, artwork, performances, community project, a service or operational support or something else (the only limit is your imagination).

We welcome diverse and creative ideas and are happy to have an informal conversation with you before you apply, just get in touch with us, funding@kingstonfirst.co.uk or 020 8547 1221.

READ THE APPLICATION GUIDELINES

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

“We believe Kingston’s local community plays a pivotal role in creating a vibrant and diverse town centre that residents and visitors want to spend time in. That’s why we have launched the Kingston First Town Centre Community Fund today to support local and community focused causes that bring something positive to Kingston town centre and promotes better partnership working between businesses and the community”

– Shareena Merzi, Director of Communications & Corporate Development, Kingston First

What We’ve Funded So Far…

£2950 to support night-time economy and community safety

The funding will go towards training new Street Pastors and the provision of additional volunteers every Saturday night.

Co-ordinator of the Street Pastors, Charles Bamford, said:

“We are delighted to have been chosen to receive support from the Town Centre Community Fund. Thank you to all at Kingston First and all your members for supporting our work through this grant which will enable us to increase the number of nights that we can deploy volunteers in Kingston’s night time economy to care, listen and help, providing support to all users of the town centre and particularly those who are vulnerable.”

the-seven-saxon-kings-embroidery-project-29-scaled

£2550 funding towards celebrating Kingston’s rich heritage

The Seven Saxon Kings Embroidery Project will feature seven newly commissioned embroidery panels depicting the kings believed to have been crowned in Kingston set to be installed in the historic All Saints Church by Summer 2025, commemorating the 1100th anniversary of King Athelstan’s coronation. The funding will contribute to raising awareness of Kingston’s historical significance helping to position the town as a premier destination for history and heritage.

Kate Shrimpton, Communications Manager at All Saints Church, said,

“We are thrilled to be receiving this grant. It will help us make a promotional video for our prestigious Saxon Kings Embroidery project. We hope this will generate lots of interest and provide yet another reason to visit our amazing town.”

£9500 funding towards activating Kingston Riverside in July

Organised by local arts charity Creative Youth, RIVERFEST, a new festival will transform the riverside with theatre performances, workshops, music, and visual art installations over 10 days.

Dan Cartlidge, Co-Director of Creative Youth, said:

“Creative Youth are excited to begin working on RIVERFEST, having been recipients of the first Kingston First Community Fund. Together with local businesses, creative practitioners and young people, we will enliven Kingston’s riverside this summer, as part of the annual FUSE International festival. RIVERFEST will feature visual art, music, performance and more, offering people a range of free arts activities to get involved with. Situated outside our new multiarts space, FUSEBOX, these activities will engage the local community, whilst simultaneously celebrating the breadth of businesses along Kingston’s riverside. We are delighted to accept Kingston First’s generous support and use this to animate our riverside in a way which benefits the whole community. “

Any questions?

READ THE APPLICATION GUIDELINES

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