New Grant Programmes Shaped by Local Voices

Today, we’re proud to announced a new range of grant programmes designed to better support the city’s voluntary, community, and cultural sector (VCCS). The changes come directly in response to community feedback gathered through independent research carried out by The Open University in 2023 and a series of workshops in 2024–25.

The research engaged more than 140 local organisations, from small community groups and charities to cultural organisations and social enterprises, to understand the challenges they face and how we could strengthen our support.

Key issues raised by local groups included the need for:

• Simpler applications for smaller grants.
• Faster, more transparent decision-making.
• Multi-year and core funding to give organisations stability.
• Clearer communication about grant options.

In response, we are launching four new programmes:

• Seed Grants – micro grants up to £750 with a simple, rapid process.
• Sapling Grants – grants up to £5,000 with monthly deadlines.
• Oak Grants – larger community grants up to £15,000, available quarterly.
• Strategic Partnership Grants – over £15,000, offering multi-year and core funding, aligned with MK Community Foundation’s strategic goals and Vital Signs report.

Sapling and Oak Grants can also sit within the Cost-of-Living programme, which offers extra flexibility and helps groups respond to emerging needs.

Ian Revell, Chief Executive of MK Community Foundation, said:

“We are proud that these programmes have been shaped by the people they are here to serve. The Open University research gave us a clear picture of the pressures our local voluntary sector is under, from rising demand to the need for sustainable, long-term funding. By listening carefully and responding, we’ve built a grant structure that is timelier, simpler, fairer and more flexible. It means we can back the vital work of our local groups in a way that really fits their needs.” 

The new programmes launch today, alongside an updated application portal that will make the application process easier, quicker, and more transparent.