Deadlines & Panel Decisions
There will be three rounds of funding during 2026, with key dates as follows: –
| Deadline | |
| Round 17 | 12 noon on Monday 2nd February |
| Round 18 | 12 noon on Friday 1st May |
| Round 19 | 12 noon on Monday 28th September |
Applicants will be notified as to decisions within a month of the deadline.
Further information
The Blackburn with Darwen Community Fund is a small grants fund is being run by Community CVS on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the Brian Mercer Trust.
It forms part of the Community Pledge, which focuses on getting communities to volunteer and develop solutions that make a difference within their local neighbourhoods. To be eligible to apply for a grant, your group has to have:
a constitution or governing document and a committee made up of 3 or more people who are not related
your own bank, building society or credit union account or credit union account which requires two signatories or have the agreement of another organisation to hold the funds on your behalf (who have an account requiring two signatories)
must not be a statutory body or private sector organisation (i.e. it must be set up on a ‘not for private profit’ basis – not privately owned or be able to distribute dividends to individuals and must be able to undertake activities of a charitable purpose)
your group must not directly employ any paid members of staff and must be run by volunteers and use volunteers to deliver its activities (i.e. to ensure the funds go to small grassroots organisations rather than large charities or social enterprises)
the activity must take place within Blackburn with Darwen and benefit residents of Blackburn with Darwen
Groups may apply for up to £1000 per calendar year to enable your group deliver its activities.
If you have any questions or queries regarding completing this form please feel free to get in touch with us on 01254 583957 or, alternatively, you can drop us an e-mail.
Last update: Wednesday 4th February 2026