The Comic Relief Community Fund provides grants to grassroots, community-led organisations in England working to address basic needs, support early childhood development, and improve safety for vulnerable groups.
The 2026/27 programme offers grants of up to £5,000 to eligible organisations with an annual income of less than £250,000. The fund will distribute just over £600,000 in total grant funding to support community-led work across England.
About the Comic Relief Community Fund
Comic Relief has a longstanding commitment to supporting grassroots organisations that are deeply embedded within their local communities.
These organisations often have direct experience of the challenges faced by the people they support and can use the lived experiences of beneficiaries to develop relevant community-based solutions.
The Comic Relief Community Fund aims to empower these organisations to drive positive change in their communities.
2026/27 Funding Priorities
The 2026/27 programme focuses on three thematic areas:
- Addressing basic needs.
- Supporting early childhood development.
- Promoting safety for vulnerable groups.
Organisations should demonstrate how their work relates to one or more of these areas.
Addressing Basic Needs
The fund supports community-led work addressing essential needs and financial pressures affecting people and communities.
- Homelessness.
- Food insecurity.
- Cost of living challenges.
Grassroots organisations working directly with communities affected by these issues can apply for support.
Early Childhood Development
The fund supports early childhood development for children up to the age of eight.
Supported work should help children experience safe and nurturing environments during their early years.
Organisations working with young children and their families can use the funding to support activities related to early childhood development.
Promoting Safety
The third funding priority focuses on improving safety for vulnerable groups.
- Prevents violence against women and girls.
- Supports refugees.
- Supports asylum seekers.
- Supports people experiencing forced migration.
The fund recognises the role of grassroots organisations in providing community-based support to people facing vulnerability and safety challenges.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £5,000.
The maximum grant is approximately $6,350.
The Comic Relief Community Fund will distribute just over £600,000 in total grant funding through the 2026/27 programme.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is open to grassroots, community-led organisations that meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
- Constituted voluntary and community groups.
- Charities.
- Social enterprises.
- Community Interest Companies (CICs) limited by guarantee that have been operating for at least two years.
- Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee.
All applicants must be based in England and deliver their work in England.
Income Requirement
Applicant organisations must have an annual income of less than £250,000.
This requirement is intended to ensure that the fund reaches smaller grassroots and community-led organisations.
CIC Eligibility
Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee can apply if they have been operating for at least two years.
CICs registered for two years or less at the time of application are not eligible.
Geographic Eligibility
- Based in England.
- Delivering their work in England.
Organisations based outside England or delivering work outside the programme’s geographic scope are not eligible.
Grassroots and Community-Led Approach
The Comic Relief Community Fund places particular emphasis on grassroots organisations that are embedded in their local communities.
These organisations often have a strong understanding of local needs and can draw on the lived experiences of the people they support.
The fund is intended to help such organisations develop and deliver community-led responses to local challenges.
Who Cannot Apply?
The following applicants are not eligible:
- Individuals.
- Statutory organisations.
- Profit-making companies.
- Un-constituted organisations.
- CICs registered within two years or less of the application date.
Applicants should confirm their organisational structure and eligibility before applying.
Using Lived Experience
A key aspect of the fund is its emphasis on organisations that understand community challenges through close engagement with the people they serve.
Applicants should demonstrate their connection with their communities and explain how the experiences and needs of beneficiaries inform their work.
Support for Vulnerable Communities
The fund covers several areas affecting vulnerable people, from essential needs and financial pressures to childhood development and safety.
Key Facts About the Comic Relief Community Fund
- Fund: Comic Relief Community Fund
- Funding year: 2026/27
- Location: England
- Maximum grant: £5,000
- Approximate USD value: $6,350
- Total funding: Just over £600,000
- Applicant income: Less than £250,000 annually
- Target organisations: Grassroots, community-led organisations
- Funding priorities: Basic needs, early childhood development, and safety
- Basic needs: Homelessness, food insecurity, and cost of living issues
- Early childhood: Children up to age eight
- Safety priorities: Violence against women and girls, refugees, asylum seekers, and forced migration
- Geographic requirement: Organisations must be based in and delivering work in England
- Eligible structures: Constituted voluntary and community groups, charities, social enterprises, qualifying CICs, and not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee
- CIC requirement: CICs limited by guarantee must have operated for at least two years
- Ineligible applicants: Individuals, statutory organisations, profit-making companies, un-constituted organisations, and newer CICs
Frequently Asked Questions About the Comic Relief Community Fund
What is the Comic Relief Community Fund?
It is a grant programme supporting grassroots and community-led organisations in England working on basic needs, early childhood development, and safety for vulnerable groups.
How much funding can organisations receive?
Eligible organisations can receive up to £5,000.
How much funding will the programme distribute?
The 2026/27 programme will distribute just over £600,000 in total grant funding.
What is the annual income limit?
Applicant organisations must have an annual income of less than £250,000.
Where must applicants be based?
Organisations must be based in England and deliver their work in England.
What are the three funding priorities?
The three priorities are addressing basic needs, supporting early childhood development, and promoting safety.
What basic needs does the fund support?
The programme focuses on issues including homelessness, food insecurity, and cost of living challenges.
What age group is covered under the early childhood priority?
The early childhood development priority focuses on children up to the age of eight.
What safety issues does the fund address?
The fund supports work preventing violence against women and girls and supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and people experiencing forced migration.
Can charities apply?
Yes. Charities are among the eligible applicant organisations.
Can social enterprises apply?
Yes. Social enterprises can apply if they meet the programme’s other eligibility requirements.
Can voluntary and community groups apply?
Yes. Constituted voluntary and community groups are eligible to apply.
Can Community Interest Companies apply?
Yes. CICs limited by guarantee can apply if they have been operating for at least two years.
Can a newly registered CIC apply?
No. CICs registered within two years or less of the application date are ineligible.
Can individuals apply?
No. Individuals are not eligible applicants.
Can statutory organisations apply?
No. Statutory organisations are ineligible.
Can profit-making companies apply?
No. Profit-making companies cannot apply.
Can un-constituted organisations apply?
No. Un-constituted organisations are ineligible.
What type of organisations is the fund designed to support?
The fund is designed for grassroots, community-led organisations that are embedded in their communities and have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by the people they serve.
Why is lived experience important to the fund?
Comic Relief aims to empower organisations to drive positive change by drawing on the lived experiences of their beneficiaries and their understanding of local community needs.
Conclusion
The Comic Relief Community Fund 2026/27 provides grants of up to £5,000 for grassroots, community-led organisations in England addressing essential needs, supporting early childhood development, and improving safety for vulnerable groups.
The fund will distribute just over £600,000 and is open to eligible organisations with an annual income of less than £250,000. Eligible applicants include constituted voluntary and community groups, charities, social enterprises, qualifying Community Interest Companies, and not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee.
Funding priorities include homelessness, food insecurity, cost of living challenges, early childhood development for children up to age eight, violence prevention, and support for refugees, asylum seekers, and people experiencing forced migration.
Organisations must be based in and delivering work in England. The programme’s focus on grassroots leadership and lived experience makes it particularly relevant to community organisations working directly with people affected by the challenges addressed by the fund.
For more information, visit Comic Relief.
