Knowsley Council’s Cabinet has given the green light to awarding a share of £672,000 in grants from the new Knowsley Community Fund to local groups and organisations across the borough.
The grants will support the work of 116 vital projects delivered by the borough’s voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sectors.
Aimed at supporting and empowering community and voluntary organisations, the fund aligns with the vision outlined in the Knowsley Council Plan 2025-2030, which is focused on ‘Supporting Knowsley’s Residents to Thrive’ by tackling health and income inequalities, encouraging local growth, and delivering high-quality, targeted support.
A boost for local groups and residents
The Knowsley Community Fund, launched in June 2025, consolidated a number of previous grant programmes into a single, streamlined source of funding.
This resulted in a substantial investment of £672,000 for the 2025/26 funding period, increased from an initial base of £560,000 thanks to contributions from Public Health, Family Hub, Start for Life and Beyond Programme and the Crime and Communities Service.
The grants will enable 116 community groups to deliver projects that provide essential support, from helping residents stay warm, safe, and well over the winter months to expanding and extending vital community services. Funds are expected to be issued to successful groups from 23 October 2025 onwards.
The demand for the new fund demonstrates the essential work of the voluntary sector, with the programme being significantly oversubscribed. The Council received 162 applications requesting more than £1 million in total.
Knowsley Council Leader, Cllr Graham Morgan said: “We are delighted to be investing over half a million pounds into the grassroots organisations that know our communities best. The Knowsley Community Fund is a crucial resource for tackling inequalities and making a real, positive difference in our residents’ lives.”
This initiative is part of the Council’s developing Social Value and Community Investment Plan, a three-phase strategy aimed at leveraging external investment and resources into the community sector.
Looking Ahead
The Knowsley Community Fund will launch a further funding round in Spring 2026.
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