Good things happen in Milton Keynes' estates every day.

We want to fund 40 of them.

Applications for this programme have now closed. We are continuing to review applications we have already received and will be in touch with everyone who has applied.

What is this?

We're inviting community groups and small charities to apply for one of 40 grants of £1,000 to do what you do best: turn an estate into a neighbourhood.

0
grants remaining

£1,000
per award

Rolling
until they're gone

Sept
funds distributed

Is this for you?

Do you run a community group or small charity in Milton Keynes?

Will £1,000 help you to bring people together?

Is your annual income under £500,000?

Then we want to hear from you.

Charities, community groups, CICs, and sports clubs can apply. You'll need a constitution, a bank account in your organisation's name, and the names and addresses of three unrelated trustees or committee members.

What could you do with £1,000?

A sewing machine for your upcycling and mending group?

Instruments for your intergenerational music class?

Goal nets for your under-fives football team?

Event space for your interfaith theology group?

Why now?

Milton Keynes was built differently. From the beginning, the people who designed this city believed that community had to be built, just like the bricks and mortar. They employed Community Mobilisers — local people whose only job was to help neighbours find each other and connect.

We don't have that anymore. But there are still so many people keeping this spirit alive.

We're looking for 40 people like this. You might be one of them.

Who we've funded so far

All 40 grants have now been awarded so far. Meet the projects:

Scot Bowls Club, West Bletchley: new bowls, mats and kit for a growing membership

Mindfulness Inspired Art CIC, Broughton: Autumn Light, a community festival of art, food, music and Diwali

Two Mile Ash Community Council, Two Mile Ash: a community Christmas lunch for 60 residents

MGB Community Service, Fishermead: community breakfasts and get-togethers to bring neighbours out of isolation

Men in Sheds MK, Milton Keynes: tools and training to bring unused bikes back to life

Ujhasuma Africa CIC, Milton Keynes: balafons and traditional instruments for African music workshops

South Asian Artists' Community, Milton Keynes: helping local artists show and sell their work, with a festive showcase alongside YMCA MK

Milton Keynes and Broughton Village Hall, Broughton: keeping the Tuesday afternoon tea and warm hub running

Hoda Community Bridge CIC, Milton Keynes: cooking clubs bringing Afghan women and neighbours together

Little Miracles Charity, Milton Keynes: sledging and karting days for children with additional needs and their families

Tread the Boards Theatre Group, Milton Keynes: free panto tickets for families who couldn't otherwise go

Harry's Rainbow, Milton Keynes: bereavement training for community groups supporting children

One Love Luncheon Club, Milton Keynes: hot meals and crafts for elders who'd otherwise eat alone

Ailsa's Aim, Milton Keynes: skincare packs for people going through cancer treatment

Trubys Garden Tea Room, a youth-led magazine written, designed and photographed by local young people

SieveMK Gateway, Central Milton Keynes: a calm sensory space where students with additional needs can relax and reset

DAFS (Drug Alcohol Family Support) MK: one-to-one holistic support to help people find calm, balance and resilience

MK Money Lifeline: portable printers and scanners so advisers can help people complete vital forms where they are

MK Community Choir: a free gospel music workshop, free and open to everyone

The MoneyHeave Community Project: deliver financial wellbeing workshops for at least 40 residents covering budgeting, debt, and saving, partnering with MK Melting Pot and the MK Tanzanian Community

MK Play Association: create and distribute 150 "Craft and Grow Boxes" for children and families, containing recycled craft materials, soil, and seeds to promote creativity and wellbeing

Conniburrow Community Fridge: fund quarterly Sofea food deliveries and annual Food Connect deliveries for the community fridge

Headway Milton Keynes: enhance a new Wellbeing Workshop for people with acquired brain injuries, providing therapeutic, mindfulness, and creative activity resources

Milton Keynes Rowing Club: purchase a branded club gazebo for summer events and regattas to raise their community profile and attract new members

Lionhearts Cruising Club: purchase a branded club gazebo for summer events and regattas to raise their community profile and attract new members

MÓTUS: collaborate with Drum United and Breakdance MK to deliver youth music and dance workshops in Fishermead, culminating in a free public performance at their autumn festival at centre:mk

Olney Men's Shed Community Interest Company: run "Come and Try" taster sessions ahead of their official 2027 opening, covering hall hire and a starter set of hand tools and materials

Jumping Beans: provide a Christmas party and community outing for an under-5s stay-and-play group, and replace worn toys and equipment

All Bradville Residents Association: replace a temporary noticeboard with a permanent weatherproof one, and run a first aid course for 24 residents

Offset Projects: purchase a portable PA system for their new Central MK youth hub, enabling workshops, events, performances, and screenings

Castlethorpe Cricket Club: replace a ten-year-old temporary scoreboard with a new permanent one

Voice of Al-Husain (Zainabiya Islamic Centre): train children to perform interfaith activities promoting community cohesion, covering hall hire, uniforms, and training

Milton Keynes Warriors Cricket Club: purchase cricket equipment for weekly women's and junior sessions, and help subsidise membership/match fees for players who cannot afford them

Newport Pagnell Bowling Club: purchase a glass washer to improve their volunteer-run bar, helping serve members and guests more efficiently at club events

Stantonbury Judo Club: purchase new safety mats for their judo club in Wolverton, which has been operating at the Bath House for over 30 years

MK Hospital Charity: create Comfort Boxes containing practical items, memory-making activities and personal mementos for end-of-life patients and their families, distributed by the hospital's Butterfly Volunteers

Emily's Star: bring in a professional to capture handprints and fingerprints from children and young adults with complex needs, turning them into beautifully glazed keepsakes for families to treasure forever

Ukraine Appeal: produce an original community comedy performance created by Ukrainian volunteers in Milton Keynes, drawing on their real-life volunteering experiences to bring the wider community together through laughter and shared storytelling

MK Park Rangers FC: purchase coaching equipment, training resources and secure storage to support the launch of new Under 7 and Under 8 teams, giving more local children access to inclusive grassroots football

FAQs

Most community groups and small charities in Milton Keynes are eligible. Specifically, we welcome applications from unincorporated associations, registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations, sports clubs, faith groups (where the primary project activity is community-focused and not for the promotion of religion), and Community Interest Companies.

Your annual income must be under £500,000, and you'll need a bank account in your organisation's name, a constitution, and the names and addresses of three unrelated trustees/committee members.

You can apply from 13 July. Applications will be assessed on a week-by-week basis until all 40 grants have been awarded.

  1. Go to our Grants Portal and either log in if you applied for a grant recently or “Register as a New User” to start the application process. (if you need help, please contact our team: applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk or call us on 01908 690276). You will be asked to give yours and your organisation’s details, tell us about your project in a couple of sentences and upload your governance documents.

  2. Record a 90-second video explaining how your project can help people in your community. It doesn’t have to be flashy. Just you and your phone is great!

  3. Tell us how your project helps people in your community. Just you and your phone is all you need, no need to make it fancy. You'll find the WhatsApp number in the portal once you've signed up.

We use the word project a lot. But the project could be you procuring a thing that would help your group: sports equipment, instruments, costumes etc.

Or it could be a project in the traditional sense. Setting up a new support group, hosting an event, or organising a day out.

Our set-up prohibits us from granting money for animal welfare projects, retrospective costs (anything that has already been bought), medical research or treatment, deficit funding or repayment of loans, contingencies and miscellaneous expenses, events or activities where the primary purpose is to fundraise, and political activities.

They're looking for projects with a clear explanation of what you'll do and why your community needs it. They want to understand who will benefit and how. And they'd love to hear the human story behind it. Why does this matter to you and your group?

Applications will be assessed on a rolling weekly basis. Funds will be distributed this September, so we're looking for projects that will take place in autumn. We'll let you know either way.

Ready to apply?

Applications open now, 11 grants remaining.

You'll need a 90-second video and five minutes for the form.

Start your application

We're here to help

Have any questions? Feel free to get in touch with our team.

Get in touch