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Our Community Investment Fund

We’re investing £100,000 in community‑led projects that make our neighbourhoods better, brighter and more connected!

Find out more

As part of our commitment to bringing people together and strengthening our communities, we’ve launched a Community Investment Fund through VIVID Plus, providing £100,000 in grant funding to support community‑led projects that make a positive impact in our neighbourhoods.

Individuals and organisations are able to apply for up to £1,500 per project, with the funding used to help get new ideas get off the ground or to develop and enhance existing initiatives.

If you have an idea that could benefit your community, we’d love to hear from you!

The fund launched in April 2026 and will remain open until all funding has been allocated. We welcome applications from a wide range of groups, including individuals with community ideas, charities, community organisations, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies and other not‑for‑profit groups. Applicants must be aged 18 or over.

The fund is available to projects based in our communities. To qualify, the project must be in an area where we have enough homes to ensure that at least 30% of the people benefiting are our customers. If you’re not sure whether your target area meets this, you can email us and we’ll check: vividplusgrants@actionhampshire.org

Projects must also be aligned with our core VIVID Plus goals:

  • improving how people feel about where they live (in their homes and/or wider community)
  • improving how safe people feel where they live
  • improving community cohesion
  • reducing social isolation
  • reducing the stigma of social housing
  • to assist with tenancy sustainment and/or the cost of living
  • to improve health outcomes for our communities

So we can monitor how the grants are used and celebrate the success of your projects, reporting is required and we’ll provide the relevant templates. How often you will need to report will depend on the project length and amount awarded.

For grants up to £500, you’ll receive payment upfront and be required to send 1 final report after project end / funding period end which must include:

  • statistics relevant to your project goals to evidence outcomes
  • the number of people who benefitted from the project and how many were VIVID customers
  • a brief project summary of no more than 1 side of A4 to include at least x1 case study and x2 quotes about the project from beneficiaries.

 The final report must be sent within 4 weeks of project/grant period end.

 

For grants over £500, payments will be staged and dependant on interim reporting. Your interim reports will need to be on time and show that the outcomes you’re working towards are being met to receive the next staged payment. Each interim report must include:

  • a summary of the project and how the money has been spent so far
  • how many people in total have benefitted so far, and how many of them are VIVID customers
  • if less than 30% of beneficiaries are VIVID customers, please include a plan of how you aim to involve VIVID customers moving forward
  • 1 case study and 2 quotes about the project from beneficiaries

At the end of your project/funding period you must also provide a final report which must include:

  • final statistics relevant to your project goals to evidence outcomes
  • the final number of people who benefitted from the project and how many were VIVID customers
  • a brief project summary of no more than 1 side of A4, including 1 final case study, 2 more quotes and any photos or visual media that you have permission to share.

The final report must be sent within 4 weeks of project/grant period end.

If your application meets the criteria but needs more information or other adjustments, you’ll receive feedback on how to improve. You’re welcome to resubmit your application.

Successful applicants will receive templates for interim reports, final reports and case studies.

You’re welcome to get in touch with any questions along the way, please email vividplusgrants@actionhampshire.org

Action Hampshire is an organisation that supports and connects local charities, community groups and volunteers. They support communities to play an active role in making positive changes in their area by giving them to tools they need to make a lasting, significant difference. 

Through our partnership, a representative from Action Hampshire is facilitating the monthly panel meetings where applications are reviewed, are offering feedback and support to applicants and distributing the grant funding on behalf of VIVID Plus.

For more information about their work, please visit  https://actionhampshire.org.uk/

Before applying, please ensure that you’ve read the funding FAQs and submit your application by completing this form.

The scoring criteria is here.

An example application can be found here.

There's a funding panel who meet monthly to review applications and use a scoring criterion to guide them to a decision. You'll find the scoring criteria in the 'How can I apply?' section. The panel is made up of our customers, who kindly volunteer and the meetings are facilitated by Action Hampshire. 

If you are interested in getting involved in future panels or shaping VIVID services, please register your interest here.

The funding panel meets once a month to review applications and will aim to get back to you within 4-6 weeks of your application. You’ll be notified via email by Action Hampshire.