Improving your community
Brighter Community Fund
Do you have an idea that could make a positive difference in your community?
Our Brighter Community Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 to support projects that help strengthen communities, improve wellbeing and create lasting benefits in our neighbourhoods.
The fund is part of our commitment to delivering our purpose of Building Homes, Changing Lives. We want to support community-led projects that bring local people together and brighten neighbourhoods.
What kinds of projects can be funded?
Projects must support our purpose of Building Homes, Changing Lives and fit within one of two themes:
Build stronger and more resilient communities
Projects that:
- Improve people’s skills, wellbeing, opportunities or circumstances.
- Bring people together, build positive relationships and strengthen connections within and between communities.
Environmental value
- Projects delivered with partners and communities that improve the local environment and help create places where customers are proud to live.
- Improvements to our physical assets that provide a clear and lasting benefit to the wider community.
How much funding is available?
Groups can apply for up to £5,000 per project. Funding is intended to support well-planned projects that can demonstrate clear benefits for local communities and represent good value for money.
How are applications assessed?
All applications are reviewed by the Brighter Community Fund panel. Successful projects will be able to demonstrate:
- A clear local need or community benefit
- Strong alignment with Raven’s objectives
- Positive outcomes for our communities
- A realistic and sustainable approach to delivery
- Good value for money
Full eligibility, assessment criteria and project requirements can be found in the application guidance here.
Funding rounds
The Brighter Community Fund applications are reviewed and awarded on a quarterly basis.
| Round | Application Deadline | Decision by |
| 1 | Wednesday 30th September 2026 | Friday 20th October 2026 |
| 2 | Saturday 30th January 2027 | Friday 26th February 2027 |
| 3 | Friday 30th April 2027 | Friday 28th May 2027 |
How to apply
We strongly recommend that you read the application guidance and funding criteria before starting an application.
Here you will find:
- How to apply
- Who can apply
- What information you’ll need to provide
- How projects are assessed
- What evidence and supporting documents may be required
- Reporting requirements for successful projects
Latest news
We’re pleased that through the last round of applications to our Brighter Community Fund that we’ve been able to award £8,250 in total. The successful projects are Banstead Pantry’s Pantry Savings Scheme, the launch of a community chess club in Redhill and the creation of an inclusive sensory garden for students at Woodfield Special School Post 16.
- Banstead Pantry will use its funding to launch a Pantry Savings Scheme that helps members build financial resilience through regular saving, money workshops and ongoing support from partner organisations and pantry volunteers.
- Asian Social Group will establish the Checkmate Connections Community Chess Club in Redhill, offering weekly sessions that bring people together across ages and backgrounds while supporting wellbeing, confidence and social connection.
- Woodfield Special School Post 16 will create The Senses Garden, an inclusive outdoor space for young people with special educational needs. The garden will support sensory learning and life skills while involving families, volunteers and local community partners.
Case study: Supporting Stripey Stork’s Teen-to-Teen project
Stripey Stork were successful with an application to our Brighter Community Fund for £5,000 towards its Teen-to-Teen project, which has helped hundreds of teenagers across Reigate and Banstead access essential clothing, toiletries and volunteering opportunities.
The Teen-to-Teen project is designed by and for young people aged 11 to 18, with volunteers packing and preparing essential items for other teenagers experiencing hardship in their local area. A total of 54 teenagers volunteered on the project, contributing over 560 hours helping to sort, pack and personalise items for their peers.
As a result of the funding, Stripey Stork provided 139 clothing and overnight packs for teenagers, alongside toiletries for a further 271 young people across the borough. Packs included new underwear, socks, hoodies, joggers and essential hygiene items, which are often in short supply but in high demand.
The project also supported young people living in Raven homes, with 59 teenagers referred directly from us, alongside others supported through schools and partner organisations.
Nicola Dawes, Chief Executive at Stripey Stork, said: “Teenagers are often the forgotten group when families are struggling, yet the need for essentials such as clothing and toiletries is significant. This funding has enabled us to provide practical support to hundreds of local young people, while also creating opportunities for teenagers to support one another through volunteering. We are grateful to Raven Housing Trust and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council for backing a project that has been shaped by young people, for young people.”
Angela Ellis, Head of Thriving Communities at Raven Housing Trust, said: “Through our Brighter Community Fund, we aim to support local projects that make a real difference to the lives of people in the communities we serve. The Teen-to-Teen project is a great example of young people helping other young people, providing practical support while building skills and confidence at the same time.”