What is a Microgrant, anyway?

In a world where small actions can spark significant change, we are taking a bold step in a new direction to empower local communities.

At Norfolk Community Foundation, when we see a problem, we turn it on its head. We know that impactful community projects are often born from simple ideas—ideas that don’t require massive funding but need a gentle nudge to get off the ground. Yet to get even modest amounts of funding, groups are usually expected to have formal structures in place before they can even get to the starting blocks. We want to change this through our newly-launched Microgrants Fund.

The essence of a microgrant lies in its ability to ignite grassroots innovation. While modest in size, these grants hold the potential to create exciting new charitable organisations and programmes which address community needs and wants. We want to show why such an initiative is not just timely, but essential.

4 people sit around a table in a community centre taking part in a craft activity

At the heart of this fund is the belief that local people know their communities best. Local people want to take positive action on causes that matter to their community; a microgrant puts that power into their hands. It’s our way of saying, “We trust you to know what will make a difference here.” Microgrants are about enabling community-led solutions to community-specific challenges. It could be used to constitute a group already doing great stuff informally, set up a new community garden in a disused space, get training on something like safeguarding, or hire a village hall to try something new to see what happens.

But why now? The need for these microgrants is more pressing than ever. Communities across Norfolk, like those everywhere, have been navigating the challenges of a post-pandemic world, grappling with issues like rising living costs, social isolation, and the ongoing effects of economic uncertainty. In such times, we know the value of strong, connected communities. Microgrants will help to provide financial assistance to build the kind of grassroots action that creates better, stronger communities.

Two people give a presentation. They are both using sign language. One is a wheelchair user.

Microgrants also reflect a broader commitment to our local communities. Not every group or individual has the resources or experience to apply for large, complex grants. Microgrants lower the barriers to entry, making it easier for smaller groups to access funding. This inclusivity is vital for ensuring that all voices in the community are heard and that innovative ideas aren’t stifled by a lack of resources. We also hope that less formalised groups will use this opportunity as a springboard for greater things, constituting themselves and preparing to accelerate their activities.

The Microgrants Fund is, in essence, a call to action. It’s a recognition that big changes often start with small steps and that those steps can lead to profound, lasting impacts. It’s about empowering people, fostering creativity, and building a brighter future, one small project at a time. As you think about the potential within your own community—those ideas that have been simmering just beneath the surface—consider how a microgrant might be the spark needed to bring them to life.

That’s what true community is all about: coming together to make a difference, no matter the size of the steps we take.