Application guidance
This fund is designed to support organisations that are well placed to work with vulnerable residents and understand the needs of their communities.
We recognise that organisations often have the skills, experience and local knowledge to identify what works best.
We welcome applications for new and innovative approaches that could help prevent crisis and build resilience.
Proven activities or services that have already demonstrated positive outcomes and could be expanded or delivered to more residents.
Tell us -
- what need or issue you are aiming to address
- how you know this support is needed
- what you would like to do and how it will help residents
- whether your proposal is a new idea, a pilot project, or a proven approach that has delivered results before
- what difference you hope the funding will make
Guidance
Funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), is being distributed by us through a programme of small grant funding for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
Grants of between £1,000 to £40,000 will be available to organisations supporting residents and communities across Hull.
You must apply under one of the following funding groups -
- Small - £1,000 to £3,000
- Medium - £3,001 to £10,000
- Large - £10,001 to £40,000
Purpose of the fund
As outlined in the Cabinet Report (27 June 2026), grant funding will support VCSE organisations.
Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to the Hull Money Team ecosystem through partnership working, referrals, information sharing and participation in monitoring and evaluation activity.
Funded activity should support one or more of the following objectives and applicants must clearly demonstrate how their proposed project will contribute to these outcomes -
- Improving the quality of financial advice and support available to residents
- Building organisational capacity to increase service delivery
- Strengthening the capacity of other VCSE organisations through partnership working and shared expertise
- Supporting residents who may otherwise struggle to access mainstream services, including people facing barriers related to disability, language, literacy, learning needs or confidence
- Providing ongoing support for individuals whose circumstances change over time and who may require repeated help with benefits, form filling, appointments or navigating services
Alongside larger multi-year grants awarded to key partners, small grants will help VCSE organisations complement the wider support offer around -
- food insecurity
- fuel poverty
- warm spaces
- financial advice and guidance
- community resilience and inclusion
Strategic priorities
DWP guidance requires local authorities to invest in activities that strengthen and connect the local support landscape. Funding may therefore support -
- proven initiatives that deliver positive outcomes
- new approaches that address identified gaps in provision
Commissioning and investment decisions will be informed by intelligence and data gathered through our Hull Money Team and CRF Steering Group.
In line with the Hull Food Strategy and our wider priorities including the Community Plan and Shared Ambitions, funding will support the transition from short-term crisis intervention towards longer-term financial resilience and community stability.
Examples of activity that may be supported include -
- establishing or expanding community food clubs
- developing co-located information and advice services within food settings
- increasing access to trusted advice and support in community venues
- supporting young people to develop budgeting, financial capability and basic nutrition skills, while improving routes into education, training and employment
- support Community Food Aid Providers to shift from short term crisis responses towards long term financial resilience and community stability
- building organisational capacity to deliver information and advice provision, including training and development for staff and volunteers, enhancing direct support to residents, strengthening data collection and analysis, improving service quality, and supporting organisations to achieve recognised advice quality marks
Examples of activity that will not be supported include -
- bulk buying or stand-alone food purchasing
- provision of food parcels that do not demonstrate any connection to crisis prevention or resilience building
- buying items to give out, such as blankets or warm clothing that do not demonstrate any connection to crisis prevention or resilience building
Partnership
Partnership applications are strongly encouraged, and commissioners are particularly interested in collaborative approaches that enhance local provision and avoid duplication.
Applicants must describe any -
- partnership arrangements
- referral pathways
- collaborative working
that will support delivery of the project.
Applicants should demonstrate how their project complements existing provision, avoids duplication and contributes to the wider Hull Money Team ecosystem.