Winter events grants programme
Bradford Council is delighted to announce a winter events grants programme available to add vibrancy and community spirit to the winter months.
Grants of up to £35,000 are available for projects with multiple cultural strands.
We are inviting applications from third-sector organisations wanting to deliver new festivals and / or events that attract visitors and support our local economy showcasing our diverse cultures, foods, communities, heritage and places. Please note private limited companies are not eligible to apply.
How to apply
Applications can be made between 7 November and 10am on Monday, 24 November, using the form and guidance below.
Successful applications will be informed late November, with delivery of the event to take place by 31 March 2026.
Guidance
- Bradford Council has a fund of £135,000 to support cultural events across Bradford District taking place between 1 December 2025 and 31 March 2026. This funding is provided by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
- We are inviting applications from third-sector organisations wanting to deliver new festivals and / or events that attract visitors and support our local economy showcasing our diverse cultures, foods, communities, heritage and places. Please note private limited companies are not eligible to apply.
- These proposals need to support and align with the ‘Culture is Our Plan’ strategy.
- Applications should demonstrate strong community support and engagement, including audience participation at the event.
- Large grants up to £35,000 (total amount £135,000) will be available. All events must take place, along with all related expenditure, by 31 March 2026.
- All grants are for revenue costs only.
- This funding application window opens on 7 November and applications must be submitted by 10am Monday, 24 November.
- Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their submission by 28 November.
- Late applications will not be accepted. Applications without a granular budget will not be accepted. Each question in the application form will be scored up to 5 points by a mixed staff panel with extensive experience of grant programmes. The panel’s decision is final and cannot be challenged.
- Applications should only be made on the attached form and then returned to the email address at the start of the form.
- Grants will be paid upfront to successful applicants. Please note if your application is successful you will be required to provide, within a week from notification, multiple (ideally three) quotes for as many aspects of your budget as is reasonable to show value for money has been sought. Estimates may be accepted for some lines such as venue hire, catering or ingredients. Robust financial procedures must be followed.
- All monies given to an organisation must be accounted for in full, and successful applicants are required to provide copies of all receipts and invoices detailing how the money was spent, as well as a bank statement evidencing those amounts being paid, within two weeks of the event delivery. Successful applicants are also required to submit a short report on the project following delivery.
- Any subsequent applications from an organisation will not be considered by Bradford Council if the above condition is not complied with.
- Applicants must, as part of the application process, provide the organisation’s constitution, insurances, safeguarding policy (if applicable), and bank statements in the applicant’s name, in addition to full details of the project to be funded including a budget on the application form below.
- Applicant organisations are encouraged to use local artists, suppliers, musicians and others who are based within the Bradford District.
Eligibility
- Applications will only be considered from groups/organisations that are based in, or benefit people who live in the Bradford District. They must also be registered within Bradford District.
- The grant will be able to pay / contribute towards the costs associated with events and activities such as venue hire, food, creative activities, entertainment, artists, performers etc. Events can be commercial or community-led, but must show how they support arts and culture, businesses and audiences.
- Food and drink can include local providers from any genre which may also include alcohol, however this funding cannot be used to pay for the cost of purchasing alcohol or fireworks. You will need a licence to sell alcohol, and any licence cost cannot be included in the grant funding expenditure.
- Your activity must take place between 1 December 2025 and 31 March 2026, there are no exceptions to this. Purchases before and after this date will not be accepted.
- Organisations applying for grants should ensure that they have a bank account in their organisation’s name as grant payments can only be made into that organisation’s bank account. Applications need to be made by a registered charity, community or voluntary group. The event or activity must be run by the organisation submitting the application.
- Applications from individuals will not be eligible, though sole traders are eligible. You will need to send a CV and evidence of your sole trader business account. If you are not known to the Bradford Council Culture Team, you will also be required to send a letter of support from a registered business such as one of Bradford Council's Regularly Funded Organisations.
- It is a condition of the grant that you must display the official Council logo and UKSPF logo prominently on all marketing and publicity material, and that you give permission for the event to be more widely publicised if appropriate via Bradford Council’s social media and through sharing your information with other media platforms and promoters. If you are successful in your application, branding and logos guidance will be issued to you to use.
- Projects should support Council Policy Guidelines in areas of equality of opportunity (that is, no discrimination of membership on ground of sex, race, religion, occupation or opinion).
- The organisation should be one where membership is open (that is, no discrimination of membership on grounds of sex, race, religion, occupation or opinion).
- Grant funding cannot be applied retrospectively. This means grant awards cannot be made for any events or activities which have taken place before you have received confirmation that your application has been considered and approved.
- This funding cannot be used to fund religious or political activities.
- This funding should not be used to enable fundraising for a secondary body.
- Applicant organisations must be experienced in delivering arts and cultural events / projects / public facing activities.
- Applicant organisations must have relevant insurances including public liability to a minimum of £5 million for smaller projects and £10 million for larger projects.
- Food or drink providers should have relevant food hygiene certificates with a three-star minimum rating.
- Management costs must not exceed 10% of the project proposal.
