Salford Centenary Fund

Salford A Century of City Pride

What is the Salford Centenary Fund?

From an unmissable cultural programme and civic events to vibrant community festivals, exhibitions and tributes to local heroes, 2026 will mark a proud milestone – 100 years since Salford officially became a city.

As part of the centenary programme, £290,000 in funding is available to support voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises and Salford City Council departments based in Salford or with a strong track record of delivery in the city.

Through the communities programme, Salford City Council is looking to support local community groups and organisations, across the eight Salford neighbourhoods, to host their own celebration events and activities between April and December 2026.

We are anticipating this fund to be extremely popular and therefore competitive. Please contact the team or sign up to the Meet the Funder session for more information and support.

Grant amount sizes available:

Your organisation’s annual turnover (income)Grant amount available
No threshold                                            Small – up to £1,000
£10,000 and over in the last financial yearLarge – up to £10,000

Small grants are focused on supporting local, grassroots activities.

Applications for ineligible amounts will be automatically unsuccessful.

What sort of events and activities are eligible for funding?

Examples of activities and events include:

  • Community festivals
  • Street parties
  • Creative activities
  • Exhibitions
  • Tours and talks
  • Gigs and performances
  • Traditional or cultural games
  • Historical reenactments
  • Heritage walks
  • Fashion/traditional dress
  • Digital arts
  • Tree planting
  • Community clean ups
  • Events in parks

Funding may also be suitable to enhance existing projects by enabling more or new people to engage in creativity in communities and celebrate the city in a new and exciting way.

Who can apply?

Small grants (no turnover limits)Large grants (must have >£10,000 turnover)
  • Based in Salford OR have a strong track record of delivery in Salford
  • Have an organisational Bank Account with at least 2 signatories who are not related to each other
  • Constituted as VCSE sector group or organisation, with a bank account in the name of the group or organisation, and a signed governing document (will need to be submitted with the application form). This may include sports clubs, Brownies/Scouts groups, etc. *

OR

  • Be a Salford City Council department or service e.g. Ranger Teams, Health Improvement Team (please note, such proposals must be community facing, delivered in neighbourhoods, and specific to the centenary)

*Organisations do not need to be members of Salford CVS

 

  • Based in Salford OR have a strong track record of delivery in Salford
  • Have an organisational Bank Account with at least 2 signatories who are not related to each other
  • Constituted as VCSE sector group or organisation, with a bank account in the name of the group or organisation, and a signed governing document (will need to be submitted with the application form). This may include sports clubs, Brownies/Scouts groups, etc. *

 

  • Minimum turnover of £10,000 in the last financial year. Please note, the size of the grant being applied for should not exceed 50% of this turnover figure

*Organisations do not need to be members of Salford CVS

 

Groups who are not formally constituted may work with a constituted group or organisation in order to apply.

Partnership applications are welcome, where the lead partner is fully eligible and will be responsible for managing the grant.

 

How to apply

Read the guidance notes in full to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria of the fund. 

To apply, submit a completed application form in advance of the application deadline.

If this is your first time applying to a Salford CVS fund, read this blog which explains a bit more about applying. 

We encourage you to make an appointment with the Grants Team (centenary@salfordcvs.co.uk) or 0161 787 7795 or sign up to the Meet the Funder session here - https://www.salfordcvs.co.uk/form/salford-centenary-meet-the 

 

Key documents

Small grant (no turnover limit):

Please submit a completed application to centenary@salfordcvs.co.uk. 

Small grants will be assessed periodically throughout 2026.

Large grant (must have turnover over £10,000):

Large grants must be submitted to centenary@salfordcvs.co.uk by Friday 13th February at 12:00 (midday).

Late applications will not be considered.

Salford CVS reserve the right to close the fund early depending on number of applications.