Three Wirral CVS Funding Opportunities Now Available

Wirral CVS is pleased to offer three funding opportunities designed to support Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations across Wirral.

Together, these funds aim to strengthen organisational resilience, support grassroots activity, and enable arts and culture organisations to thrive while contributing to improved health and wellbeing outcomes for local communities.

Whether your organisation is looking to strengthen its internal capacity, deliver small-scale community activity, or secure the future of arts and cultural provision, there is likely to be a fund that aligns with your work.

Step Up Resilience Fund

The Step Up Resilience Fund is designed to support VCFSE organisations to strengthen their resilience, sustainability and capacity, rather than to fund new service delivery.

This fund recognises the vital role that existing community organisations play in improving health and wellbeing across Wirral. To be eligible, organisations must be able to demonstrate how their current core activity contributes to one or more of the Wirral Health & Wellbeing Strategy Gamechangers, such as:

• Employment

• Early years

• Violence reduction

• Cardiovascular health

• Fuel poverty

Funding can be used to invest in the systems, skills, governance, and planning that enable organisations to continue and strengthen the work they already do. This might include workforce development, governance improvements, digital systems or strategic planning.

Applicants do not need to design a new project. Instead, Wirral CVS is interested in understanding how your existing work aligns with public health priorities, and how organisational development support will help you deliver that work more effectively and sustainably over the long term.

Current deadline: 15th February 2026

Apply

Small Grants Programme

Wirral CVS has £100,000 from Wirral Council Public Health to deliver a Small Grants Programme, offering grants of up to £5,000, with the majority of awards expected to be under £3,000.

This programme is aimed at small, local organisations that are deeply embedded in their communities. To be eligible, organisations must:

• Be based and operating in Wirral

• Have had an income of under £10,000 in the last year

• Be a charity, social enterprise, or community group with a governing document

• Have a bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two unrelated signatories, or an agreement with an appropriate organisation to hold funds on their behalf

Funded activities should contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

• Improved physical and mental wellbeing

• Reduced health inequalities

• Preventative approaches to health

• Enhanced social inclusion and community resilience

• Increased access to health and wellbeing activities

• Improved self-management of health conditions

• Empowered communities taking charge of their wellbeing

This programme is particularly well suited to smaller organisations delivering targeted, community-led activity with a clear health and wellbeing benefit.

Current deadline: 30th January 2026

Apply

Arts & Culture Fund

The Arts & Culture Fund is open to VCFSE organisations delivering arts and cultural activities that benefit Wirral communities. Grants of up to £5,000 are available.

This fund focuses on strengthening the sustainability and resilience of organisations working in the arts and culture sector, while also increasing volunteer engagement.

Funding can be used to:

• Build organisational capacity, including governance, workforce development, financial planning, and digital skills

• Support innovative approaches to income generation and long-term sustainability

• Enhance the ability of organisations to respond to challenges and opportunities in the sector

• Enable arts and culture organisations to adapt, grow, and secure their future

Eligible applicants include registered charities, CICs, CIOs and unincorporated associations with a governing document, provided they are delivering arts or cultural activity that benefits people and communities in Wirral.

Current deadline: 12th February 2026

Apply

Apply Through Plinth

All three funding opportunities are hosted and managed through Plinth, Wirral CVS’s online platform for the VCFSE sector. Plinth brings together funding, events, volunteering and organisational tools in one place, making it easier for organisations to access opportunities and manage their activity.

Organisations registered on Plinth can:

• Apply for funding and access new opportunities in one central system

• Promote services, events and volunteering opportunities

• Use built-in tools to manage contacts, referrals and reporting

• Demonstrate impact and strengthen organisational sustainability

Plinth is free to use and supports Wirral CVS’s commitment to improving visibility, collaboration and resilience across the local VCFSE sector.