The Hugo Burge Foundation’s Creative Communities fund is open for 2026, offering grants of up to £15,000 to charities and community groups running local cultural and creative projects across the UK. Applications are submitted via Submittable and the deadline is 31 July 2026.
About The Hugo Burge Foundation
The Hugo Burge Foundation is a major arts funding body that in 2025 — its first full year — distributed £400,000 in grants to individuals, communities, and organisations across the UK. Its grant funding is focused on three areas: Creative Education, Creative Communities, and Creative Individuals. The Foundation aims to take a non-restrictive, flexible approach to its criteria.
What the Fund Supports
The Creative Communities fund supports a wide range of organisations — including festivals, charities, arts organisations, and community groups — to develop and deliver cultural or creative initiatives in their local areas. The fund prioritises flexibility, and the criteria are intentionally broad.
- Local festivals, arts events, and creative programming
- Community-based cultural projects and initiatives
- Creative activities that benefit local areas across the UK
How Much Funding Is Available
There is £150,000 available through the Creative Communities fund in 2026, with a maximum award of £15,000. For requests of £10,000 and under, the Foundation can fund the whole project. For amounts over £10,000, at least 30% of the project budget must come from other sources. A limited number of multi-year grants providing funding for up to three years are also available.
The Foundation also has a separate access support fund of £7,000 (first-come, first-served) to pay access support workers up to £300 per day for applicants who face barriers applying — including Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent individuals. No proof is required.
Who Is Eligible
The fund is open to a wide range of organisations looking to deliver cultural or creative initiatives in their local area. Eligible applicants include:
- Registered charities
- Community groups and voluntary organisations
- Arts organisations and festivals
- Community interest companies (CICs)
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026 window are accepted via Submittable. The Foundation asks that applicants and enquirers do not email about funding specifics before the next grant update in order to allow adequate review time.
- Deadline: 31 July 2026
- Access support fund: £7,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis
