Funding opportunities for VCS partners

Dudley Council is inviting Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to apply for Year 1 funding through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). Partnerships and networks are encouraged to apply.

The fund supports residents experiencing financial hardship and financial shocks while helping individuals, families and communities build longer-term financial resilience and wellbeing.

In Dudley, this funding supports delivery of the Financial Wellbeing and Mitigating Poverty Strategy and contributes to our ambition to create a borough where residents have the resources, opportunities and support they need to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

Dudley Council has engaged with local voluntary and community organisations to better understand community needs, existing services and opportunities for partnership working. 

This engagement has helped shape the priorities and approach for the Year 1 Crisis and Resilience Fund programme.

The engagement activity was undertaken to inform programme development and understand local delivery capacity.

It was not a formal funding process and did not constitute a commitment to award funding.

This publication marks the formal launch of the Year 1 grant programme.

This Grant Programme does not represent a procurement exercise.

Important Notice: This is a one-off grant opportunity for the 2026/27 financial year only. Funding is available for the period 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. No commitment is being made at this stage regarding continuation funding or future grant rounds.

Grants of up to £49,000 per project are available. The maximum grant value has been determined to reflect the remaining programme delivery period, ensuring that funding can be awarded, delivered, and monitored effectively within the time available.

Before applying organisations are required to understand the CRF requirements set out below:

Guidance Crisis and Resilience Fund: Guidance for local authorities in England (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029)

Funding will support projects delivered during the period:

1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027

We welcome proposals from organisations that can provide practical support, build financial resilience and strengthen local communities.

Applications may be submitted by individual organisations or by organisations working together in partnership.

Financial hardship can affect anyone. Rising living costs, unexpected expenses, changes in income, housing difficulties, health conditions and caring responsibilities can quickly place individuals and families under pressure.

Through this funding, we are looking to support projects that help residents:

• Manage financial hardship
• Improve financial resilience and independence
• Increase household income and reduce financial pressures
• Access practical support and essential items
• Improve food security
• Maintain safe and secure homes
• Access services, opportunities and community support
• Reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections
• Prevent challenges escalating into crisis

We are particularly interested in projects that are inclusive, accessible and focused on the needs of local people.

Projects can focus on one or more of the following areas:

1. Financial Wellbeing

Activities that help residents improve their financial situation and manage money more effectively, including:

• Benefits advice and support
• Income maximisation
• Debt advice
• Budgeting support
• Financial capability and resilience programmes

2. Household Essentials and Practical Support

Support that helps residents establish or maintain a safe home environment, including:

• Furniture and household items
• Beds and mattresses
• White goods and essential appliances
• Practical household support

3. Food and Community Support

Projects that help improve food security and strengthen community resilience, including:

• Community food projects
• Food pantries and social supermarkets
• Community kitchens
• Food growing initiatives
• Neighbourhood support activities

4. Housing Security

Support that helps residents maintain stable housing, including:

• Housing advice and support
• Tenancy sustainment
• Homelessness prevention activity
• Assistance for residents experiencing housing insecurity

5. Access and Inclusion

Projects that help residents overcome barriers to accessing support and opportunities, including:

• Community transport
• Digital inclusion
• Community outreach
• Access to services, education, employment and healthcare

The Crisis and Resilience Fund encourages services that are:

• Person-centred
• Needs-based
• Accessible and inclusive
• Focused on prevention and early intervention
• Connected to wider support services
• Collaborative and partnership focused

Where possible, organisations should work with other local services and community groups to ensure residents can access the right support at the right time.

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

Outcome 1: Effective Crisis Prevention and Support

Helping residents access timely support and preventing financial hardship from escalating into crisis. 

Outcome 2: Improved Financial Resilience

Supporting residents to better manage financial pressures, recover from financial shocks and improve long-term wellbeing. 

Outcome 3: Stronger Local Support Networks

Strengthening community-based support and improving access to local services and assistance.

We want as much of the funding as possible to be used to directly support Dudley residents. This means that most of the grant should be spent on services, activities, practical support, and essential items that help people experiencing financial hardship.

We recognise that organisations need resources to deliver projects effectively, so reasonable staffing, management and operational costs can be included. However, applicants should ensure that all costs represent good value for money and are proportionate to the level of support being provided.

The budget breakdown below is intended as a guide rather than a requirement. We understand that projects will vary, and applicants may propose an alternative allocation if they can clearly demonstrate why, it is necessary to achieve the project outcomes.

Indicative Budget Allocation

60-70% Direct support for residents
10-20% Staffing and frontline delivery
2-5% Partnership working and referrals
3-5% Monitoring and reporting
3-5% Management and quality assurance
2-5% Operational costs
1-3% Training and development
1-3% Communications and community engagement
Up to 2% Contingency

Applications will be assessed on whether the proposed budget is realistic, demonstrates value for money, and clearly supports the delivery of the project's aims and outcomes.

The total funding available through the Crisis and Resilience Fund is £1.5million 

All applications will be assessed against the fund's aims, priorities, and eligibility criteria. Funding will be awarded to the organisations and projects that best demonstrate their ability to meet these requirements and deliver positive outcomes for Dudley residents.

Please note that this is a competitive grant programme and applying does not guarantee funding. The Council reserves the right to determine which applications are successful and the level of funding awarded.

Feedback will be available on request for unsuccessful applicants.

To be eligible to apply, organisations must meet all of the following criteria:

• Are voluntary, community, charitable, faith-based or social enterprise organisations
• Operate on a not-for-profit basis
• Deliver services that benefit Dudley residents
• Have appropriate governance, financial management and safeguarding arrangements in place
• Can demonstrate experience of supporting local people and communities
• All successful applicants must ensure that funded activity is delivered in line with the Crisis and Resilience Fund Guidance and any associated grant conditions

We welcome applications from both established organisations and smaller community groups.

We particularly welcome applications from organisations with strong links to communities experiencing financial hardship and inequalities, including those able to reach residents who may face barriers to accessing mainstream services.

Organisations may submit a maximum of two applications. Where more than two applications are received from the same organisation, only the first two submitted will be considered.

Successful applicants will need to mobilise quickly to ensure there is no gap in support for residents.

Projects must be:

Fully operational and accepting referrals by 1 November 2026.

Applicants should briefly explain how they will achieve this within their application.

We want to keep the application process simple and proportionate.

The application form will ask you to tell us:

• About your organisation
• What you want to do
• Who will benefit
• How much funding you are requesting (up to £49,000)
• How the funding will be used
• What difference your project will make
• Whether you will be working with any partners
• How you will be ready to start delivery by 1 November 2026

Monitoring requirements will be proportionate to the size and duration of the grant.

Successful organisations will be asked to provide information on:

• Number of residents supported
• Number of households supported
• Key outcomes achieved
• Examples of positive impact
• A summary of how funding has been spent

Applications Open: 21 September 2026
Application Deadline: 5.00pm on 25 September 2026
Assessment and Award Process: 28 September – 9 October 2026
Mobilisation Period: 15 October – 31 October 2026
Projects Commence: 1 November 2026
Funding Period Ends: 31 March 2027

Late applications will not be accepted.

Please complete your application using the link below:

• CRF Partner Application Form

For further information, please contact:

Dudley Council Public Health and Wellbeing Team:

CostofLiving@dudley.gov.uk

Working together to create a Dudley where all residents have the resources, opportunities and support they need to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.