Creative Communities Legacy Fund Now Open in Bradford

New funding opportunity supports community-led creative projects

A new funding initiative, the Creative Communities Legacy Fund, has opened to support community-led creative and cultural activities in Bradford. The fund aims to celebrate the city’s diversity and engage local people as part of the Bradford 2025 legacy.

Purpose and eligibility

The fund is designed to support community organisations outside the traditional arts and cultural sector. It prioritises projects rooted in lived experience and aims to reach underserved communities, including Black communities, men and boys, and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities. The fund seeks to contribute to a lasting, community-led cultural legacy in Bradford.

Organisations applying must meet the following criteria:

• Be led by communities experiencing racial inequity, particularly those new to delivering arts and cultural activities
• Be registered with the Charity Commission or Companies House (unregistered organisations are not eligible)
• Have a registered address in Bradford and demonstrate a strong connection with local communities
• Have an income under £500,000 in the most recent financial year
• Submit only one application per organisation

Additionally, up to 15% of the grant can be allocated towards core costs.

Types of activities supported

The fund supports a variety of community-led creative initiatives, such as:

• Creative workshops exploring music, dance, visual arts, storytelling, or crafts that reflect participants’ lived experiences and cultural identities, culminating in performances, exhibitions, or celebrations
• Projects co-designed with Black communities or men and boys, using mediums like music, movement, film, or spoken word to explore identity, heritage, confidence, and belonging
• Engagement programmes for underserved groups, including Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, focusing on removing barriers to participation through accessible venues, trusted facilitators, and flexible delivery shaped by community priorities

Applicants are encouraged to propose a broad range of ideas within these themes.

Grant details and application process

• Grant amount: £10,000 (fixed)
• Location: Bradford
• Project duration: 1 year
• Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline: 22 May 2026 at 12 noon
• EOI decisions: June 2026

Successful organisations will be invited to submit a full application to develop and deliver their creative and cultural activities.

For further information and to apply, visit the Doing Good Leeds website.

Source: Doing Good Leeds