Third Sector Grant Scheme 2027 / 2030

The Third Sector Grant Scheme provides funding to help eligible organisations remain stable, sustainable and able to deliver services that support community well-being.

Successful organisations will receive an initial three-year award. An extension of up to two further years may be considered where performance and compliance are satisfactory. Organisations should plan on the basis of a three-year grant.

The total funding available is £575,000 per year. As the fund is competitive, not all eligible applications will receive an award.

Further detail on the principles of the Third Sector Grant Scheme can be read here. 

Your work must align with at least one of the following priorities:

1. Strong and sustainable community organisations

   Build the capacity, infrastructure and long-term viability of organisations offering broad community support.
   
   

2. Reducing inequality and supporting vulnerable people

   Support people experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability, including older adults, unpaid carers, disabled people, children, families and people experiencing poverty or financial hardship.
   
   

3. Improving health, well-being and prevention

   Help people stay well, maintain social connections and avoid crisis, reducing pressure on statutory services.

Your organisation must meet all of the following conditions:

• be a constituted, not-for-profit organisation in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector
• have operated for at least two years and have at least one year of filed accounts
• be based in Neath Port Talbot or operate services from within Neath Port Talbot
• ensure at least 90% of the people benefiting from the funded activity live in, work in, study in or visit Neath Port Talbot
• demonstrate sound governance and financial management, with appropriate and up-to-date policies

The maximum award is £50,000 per year, but the grant must not exceed 30% of your organisation’s average annual income over the most recent three years, or two years if the organisation has operated for less than three years. 

Core/running costs, with limited provision for capital costs and innovation where these strengthen delivery and sustainability. 

Core costs

• staff costs
• premises and utilities
• management and governance
• general running and IT costs
• insurance
• appropriate overheads and full cost recovery

Capital costs

Up to 20% of the annual grant request where the investment supports organisational or service sustainability.

Innovation costs

Up to 20% of the grant request for new or more efficient approaches that improve sustainability or reduce reliance on grant funding.

The application process has two stages:

Stage 1 – Expression of Interest: Submit a short Expression of Interest

The first stage checks eligibility and asks for a short overview of your organisation, its work and the need it addresses. 

If you wish to complete the EOI as a Word document you will need to download and save prior to editing.

Stage 2 – Full application: Organisations will be invited to proceed with a full application

Eligible organisations selected after the first stage will be invited to provide more detailed information. 

If you are invited to submit a full application, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Constitution or governing document
• most recent published accounts
• relevant insurance certificates

You must submit all required documents with your application. 

If you wish to complete the Application Form as a Word document you will need to download and save prior to editing.

Applicants will be informed of the outcome in writing. 

EOI decisions will be communicated by 23rd October 2026

Grant decisions will be communicated by 31st December 2026.

Read the application guidance and FAQs before applying. These documents explain the eligibility criteria, eligible and ineligible costs, assessment, grant conditions and reporting requirements.

• Application guidance
• Frequently Asked Questions

Information sessions

Online information sessions will be available during the Expression of Interest and full application windows. 

Expression of Interest – Thursday 1st October 2026, 1.00pm (30-minute session)

To register your interest, email thirdsectorgrants@npt.gov.uk We will then send you a Microsoft Teams link.

Application Form - Thursday 12th November 2026, 2.00pm (30-minute session)

Link to be provided to applicants via email.

Guidance and application materials are available in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will be assessed on equal terms with applications submitted in English.

If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, or experience technical problems with the online forms or supporting documents, contact the Policy, Governance and Performance team using the details below.

Email: thirdsectorgrants@npt.gov.uk

Telephone: 07805 771506