Community fund gives £125,000 boost to 56 Ipswich groups

Why it matters: The council redesigned the fund so that its larger grant pot – the Community Chest and micro-grants – could be targeted at areas of greatest need, rather than shared out equally. Ward funding, a fixed £1,000 per ward, remains unchanged.

The annual report shows how the new model has performed in its first partial year, and sets out the themes being developed for the year ahead.

The details: A total of £75,000 has been allocated to the scheme, split between:

• Ward funding: £1,000 per ward, to support councillors in funding projects locally
• Community Chest grants: up to £5,000 per award
• Micro-grants: up to £100 per award, aimed at grassroots activity

13 local projects received ward funding in 2025/26, with £6,830 awarded in total. Further funding has been earmarked to tackle social isolation in the north-west and north-east of Ipswich.

By the numbers:

• 56 organisations supported
• £125,000 in grant funding awarded across all funds administered by the council's Community Participation Team
• 13 ward funding projects completed, worth £6,830
• £5,000 – the first full Community Chest grant, awarded to the Royal Bengal Sports Club & Association

What they're saying: Councillor George Lankester, Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: "It's great to see how Ipswich Borough Council is making a real difference across Ipswich, supporting the charities and community groups at the heart of our town.

"We're empowering more local organisations and residents to deliver projects that matter to them, while giving councillors the flexibility to respond to emerging needs in their wards.

"We're proud to be working alongside so many organisations to build and maintain pride in Ipswich."

For context: Funding has supported a wide range of projects, including efforts to reduce isolation among older residents, community events, youth-focused initiatives and environmental improvements such as alleyway clean-ups.

What's next: Future funding rounds will focus on three key themes identified by councillors and communities:

• Preventing fly-tipping
• Supporting young people into employment
• Tackling anti-social behaviour

The bottom line: In its first partial year, Ipswich's redesigned Community Chest fund has already reached dozens of local groups and projects across the town, with the council now turning its attention to a fresh set of neighbourhood priorities for the year ahead.

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