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.
UPDATE: APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER 16/2/2026 WILL BE FOR EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES JULY - DECEMBER ONLY.
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)
Grant amount: Up to £1,000
- Based in Salford OR have a strong track record of delivery in Salford
- Have an organisational Bank Account with at least two 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
- 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.
- Only one application per organisation will be accepted to be assessed at panel. Unsuccessful groups may be invited to reapply to the fund with a significantly different project or idea.
Large grants - now closed
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
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 (March, May, August) and must be submitted to centenary@salfordcvs.co.uk
Salford CVS reserve the right to close the fund early depending on number of applications.