Elephant & Castle Community Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £75,000
• Success Rate: Approximately 8 grants per round (varies by applications received)
• Decision Time: Information not publicly available
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £12,000 (standard); up to £20,000 (exceptional)
• Geographic Focus: Elephant & Castle Opportunity Area, Southwark, London

Contact Details

Website: https://londoncf.org.uk/grants/elephant-castle-community-fund

Telephone: 020 7582 5117

Email: applications@londoncf.org.uk

Managed by: London Community Foundation

Funded by: Southwark Council, Lendlease, and Get Living

Overview

The Elephant & Castle Community Fund was established in 2012 with a donation from Lendlease to support the local community during the regeneration of the Elephant & Castle area. Since 2012, the Fund has distributed over £300,000 to more than 35 local groups and charities. The fund is now managed by the London Community Foundation and receives ongoing support from Southwark Council, Lendlease, and Get Living. Annual funding has grown from £50,000 to £75,000 per year. The fund aims to build on the strengths of local people, celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the area, and support those most in need during this time of change. Over the past decade, the fund has supported local grassroots organisations through annual funding and capacity building support, helping hundreds of residents access education, skills training, wellbeing services, arts and culture activities, and environmental improvements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: £3,000 - £12,000

• 12-month project duration
• Most grants fall within this range
• Application method: Online via London Community Foundation portal
• Fixed deadline application rounds (typically annual)

Enhanced Grant: Up to £20,000

• 24-month project duration
• Only one grant at this level awarded per round
• Released in two instalments: £10,000 in year 1 and £10,000 in year 2
• Requires demonstration of longer-term impact

Priority Areas

Applications must address at least one of the following five themes:

Further Education and Skills

• Helping residents increase educational attainment
• Skills development and training programs
• Access to employment pathways
• Volunteering and work experience opportunities
• Socially enterprising activities
• Digital training for digitally excluded residents

Young People

• Programs specifically supporting young people in the area
• Youth development and engagement activities

Wellbeing

• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Activities that reduce isolation
• Support for vulnerable groups including refugees and people with dementia

Environment

• Increasing access to green spaces
• Improving the local environment
• Projects where residents are involved in making improvements themselves
• Note: This theme has been underrepresented in previous applications, so the fund is particularly keen to hear from organisations working on environmental issues

Arts and Culture

• Engagement in arts and cultural activities
• Projects that celebrate the area's diversity
• Creative activities that improve the local environment

What They Don't Fund

Organisational Structure Exclusions:

• Companies limited by shares (including CIC limited by shares)
• Statutory organisations such as local authorities
• Organisations without an asset lock or equivalent clause in their governing document

Geographic Exclusions:

• Projects that do not primarily benefit people who live, work, or study in the Elephant & Castle Opportunity Area

Ready to write a winning application for Elephant & Castle Community Fund?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The fund is managed by the London Community Foundation, which operates as the independent administrator. The fund benefits from the partnership of three key funders:

• Southwark Council - Local authority partner
• Lendlease - Original founding donor and continuing supporter (property development company involved in the area's regeneration)
• Get Living - Supporter since 2022 (property management company)

This partnership approach ensures stable funding while maintaining independence in grant-making decisions through the London Community Foundation's governance structures.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application via the London Community Foundation website

Application Resources:

• Programme Guidelines (PDF) available on the website
• Online application guidance (PDF) to help applicants complete the form
• Application support available via phone (020 7582 5117) or email (applications@londoncf.org.uk)

Required Documents:

• Signed governing document with an asset lock (or equivalent clause)
• Annual accounts OR income and expenditure forecast template (if your organisation is less than one year old)
• Safeguarding policy that reflects mandatory requirements outlined in LCF's safeguarding policy checklist

Key Application Requirements:

• Demonstration that the project is wanted and needed by communities who will benefit (through consultation or informal feedback)
• Evidence that the proposed work meets a gap in provision and/or complements existing services
• Commitment to the Southwark Stands Together pledges
• Ability to demonstrate or commit to developing a diversity improvement strategy

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the London Community Foundation directly for information about when decisions will be announced for specific funding rounds.

Success Rates

Recent funding rounds have awarded approximately 8 grants per year from the £75,000 annual allocation. Success rates vary depending on the number and quality of applications received. For context, the London Community Foundation reports that across their various funds, approximately 70% of applications through their portal receive funding, though this varies by fund.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Interested applicants should contact the fund directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Priority Given To

Priority is given to locally based community and resident organisations, even though there is no income threshold for applications. This suggests that grassroots, community-rooted organisations have an advantage.

Successful Project Examples (2024 Funding Round)

Silverfit - Received funding for Nordic Walking sessions in Burgess Park, Yoga at the Elephant and Castle Community and Engagement Hub, with new sessions planned for 2025.

Afghanistan and Central Asian Association - Awarded £9,400 over one year to provide 70 people with English language (ESOL) classes and careers advice for newly arrived refugee women.

Arts 4 Dementia - Funded workshops aimed at those with early-stage dementia and their carers, including activities such as journalling, ceramics, and textiles to reduce isolation.

Climate Ed - Received funding to teach children in Year 5 and 6 about climate change and practical steps to get their voices heard across seven schools in the Elephant & Castle area.

Inspire Walworth - Secured funding towards a part-time youth worker's salary to support 300 young people within the Walworth area.

Key Success Factors

1. Strong community consultation: Demonstrate genuine community need through consultation or informal feedback from beneficiaries

1. Local connection: Being based in the Elephant & Castle area and having strong connections to the local community significantly strengthens applications

1. Addressing gaps: Clearly show how your project fills a gap in provision or complements existing services rather than duplicating them

1. Diversity and inclusion: Commitment to the Southwark Stands Together pledges and diversity improvement strategies is essential

1. Environmental projects particularly welcome: The fund has specifically noted that environmental themes have been underrepresented, indicating a strong appetite for quality environmental projects

1. Measurable impact: The 2023 funding round supported 746 people across eight projects, suggesting clear beneficiary numbers and outcomes are important

Capacity Building Support

All successful organisations receive access to capacity building sessions provided by the London Community Foundation. Additionally, free training courses such as “Fundraising Made Easy” are available to organisations based within or working in the Elephant & Castle area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is critical: Ensure the majority of your beneficiaries live, work, or study in the Elephant & Castle Opportunity Area - this is a strict requirement

• Environmental projects are in demand: The fund has explicitly stated that environmental themes have been underrepresented in previous rounds, presenting a strong opportunity for environmental organisations

• Local roots matter more than size: Priority goes to locally based community and resident organisations regardless of income, so grassroots organisations should feel confident applying

• Community voice is essential: Strong evidence of community consultation and demonstrated need will significantly strengthen your application

• Consider the enhanced grant: If you have a larger project with 24-month scope, the £20,000 enhanced grant option may be worth pursuing, though only one is awarded per round

• Diversity and inclusion are non-negotiable: Commitment to Southwark Stands Together pledges and diversity strategies are mandatory requirements, not optional extras

• Utilize support services: Take advantage of the programme guidelines, application guidance documents, and direct support from the London Community Foundation team before submitting

• Capacity building is included: Remember that successful applicants gain access to valuable capacity building support beyond just the grant funding itself

References

1. London Community Foundation - Elephant & Castle Community Fund main page. https://londoncf.org.uk/grants/elephant-castle-community-fund

1. Southwark Council. “Elephant and Castle Community Fund continues to help area thrive.” News release, January 2025. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/2025/elephant-and-castle-community-fund-continues-help-area-thrive

1. Southwark Council. “Local groups in Elephant and Castle awarded £75,000 for community projects.” News release, 2024. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/2024/local-groups-elephant-and-castle-awarded-ps75000-community-projects

1. fundsforNGOs. "Elephant & Castle Community Fund in the UK." https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/elephant-castle-community-fund-in-the-uk/

1. Southwark News. “Elephant and Castle Community fund has given £50,000 to local groups in third round of funding.” https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/elephant-and-castle/elephant-and-castle-community-fund-has-given-50000-to-local-groups-in-third-round-of-funding/

1. Southwark News. “Elephant and Castle community fund gave local groups £75,000 in grants last year.” https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/elephant-and-castle/elephant-and-castle-community-fund-gave-local-groups-75000-in-grants-last-year/

1. Elephant and Castle Official Website. “Community Fund.” https://elephantandcastle.org.uk/the-benefits/community-fund/

1. Community Southwark. "Fundraising Made Easy for groups in Elephant & Castle." https://communitysouthwark.org/training/training/fundraising-made-easy-groups-elephant-castle