Community grants is back

For the fifteenth year in a row, we are encouraging local groups to apply for their share of £25,000 as part of our annual community grants project.  

Since launching back in 2012, the project has supported more than 100 groups, and in total more than £175,000 has been donated. 

Whether it’s a sports club, resident association, health and wellbeing initiative or another community focused group, as long as they meet the criteria, they’re welcome to apply. 

This year, Hales and Coultas, along with Ashbridge Roofing, have each contributed £10,000 to the fund, TVES have donated £1,000 and an additional £2,000 has each been donated from our internal boiler fund and Communities budget.

Applications will be open from 2 February until 27 February 2026 and groups can apply for up to £2,000. 

Entries must be made by submitting a short video to explain what the money would be spent on, and how it would support our tenants and the wider community.  

To apply, groups must be: 

• Based in areas where we have tenants
• A not for profit group 
• Constituted with a bank account  

Kerry Copson, our Community Development Manager, said: “We’re so excited to be able to bring back our community grants again for 2026.

“Each year we seem to get even more amazing applications, which is just fantastic. We’re delighted knowing that the extra bit of funding will make a huge difference to the lives of local people, young and old.” 

The Beat Goes On, Oikos Brigg, Iron Foundation, Men in Sheds – Barton, Scunthorpe Pride, Waste not want not, TWAALK Wellbeing & Coaching, Your Wellbeing, Friends of Althorpe & Keadby School, Crosby Community Association, YMCA Humber, Gainsborough Men’s Shed, North Lincs Parent Carer Forum, Central Community Centre, Active Communities, Warley Road Community Group, Lost Legion War Games Club, Iron Masters Co, Anything Goes, South Killingholme New Projects Committee, Scunthorpe Steelers Wheelers, Barton Carnival, Gooch Judo Kwai, Twin Tigers, Moonlight Warriors Martial Arts and Friends of Jubilee Park all benefitted from last years grants.

Peter Kipling from Barton Men in Sheds said, “The trustees, members of Barton Men in Sheds, and the staff at the Barton Out of School Club are absolutely delighted to have been awarded an Ongo Community Grant.  

“The grant was used to purchase a modern building which will provide valuable, additional storage for both groups.  Everyone will have easier and safer access to equipment.  The two groups will share the joint facility, and this will be another example of how the two groups have worked successfully together on the shared site.”

Jo Schofield from the Iron Foundation said, “Iron Foundation is thrilled to receive a grant from the Ongo Community Fund. The grant will be used across our provision, such as our free football sessions in the community; ensuring that money isn’t a barrier for young people to access physical activity. We also want to develop our offer to our older aged community.

“We will continue to work with Ongo Communities to identify potential partnership working.”

There will be a judging panel to decide which groups receive funding, made up colleagues from around the business. Successful groups will be announced by the end of April. 

For more information or how to apply, visit www.ongo.co.uk/communitygrants/