01268 506 744

info@ocach.org.uk

Turning Creative Ideas into Community Impact

Get Funded

Have an idea that brings people together through culture?

OCACH exists to support creatives who are using arts, culture, and creativity to build confidence, connection, and community.

We know how hard it can be to access funding — especially if you’re early in your journey, working at grassroots level, or creating outside traditional arts spaces. Large funding institutions can feel distant, complex, and out of reach.

That’s why OCACH offers small grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to help bring powerful cultural ideas to life.

What we fund

We support creative projects that:

  • Share culture through arts, music, performance, storytelling, or visual expression

  • Engage people locally and build community cohesion

  • Create safe, inclusive spaces for participation

  • Are rooted in lived experience and real communities

Your project might be:

  • A community arts or music project

  • A cultural workshop series

  • A performance, exhibition, or showcase

  • A youth-led creative initiative

  • A small festival, event, or pop-up

If your idea uses culture to connect people, we want to hear about it.

Who Can Apply

This funding is for:

  • Young creatives (18+)

  • Grassroots artists and organisers

  • Early-stage cultural practitioners

  • Community-based creatives working locally

You do not need:

  • A long funding history

  • A big organisation

  • Perfect jargon or formal language

You do need:

  • A clear idea

  • A connection to community

  • A commitment to positive cultural impact

Why This Funding Exists

 

Culture is one of the most powerful tools for bringing people together — but too often, the people doing the most meaningful work struggle to get support.

OCACH’s funding programme exists to:

  • Remove barriers to access

  • Support emerging and under-represented creatives

  • Strengthen community connection through culture

  • Help ideas grow into sustainable projects

This is about backing potential, not just polish.

How Much Can You Apply For?

Grants are available between:

£1,000 – £10,000

Funding can be used for:

  • Materials and equipment

  • Artist or facilitator fees

  • Space hire

  • Marketing and promotion

  • Project delivery costs

We fund realistic, achievable projects — not over-complicated proposals.

What We Look For

When reviewing applications, we consider:

  • The strength of the idea

  • Community involvement and benefit

  • Feasibility and clarity

  • Cultural relevance and authenticity

We are less interested in:

  • Fancy language

  • Perfect budgets

  • Big claims

We are more interested in:

  • Passion

  • Purpose

  • People

Turn your Creative Ideas into Community Impact

How to Apply

Applying is simple.

You’ll be asked to:

  • Tell us about your idea

  • Explain who it’s for and why it matters

  • Share how you’ll use the funding

  • Provide basic contact details

No complicated forms.
No unnecessary paperwork.

What You’ll Receive

If funded, you’ll receive:

  • A grant of £1,000–£10,000

  • Clear guidance and expectations

  • Supportive communication (not bureaucracy)

  • Recognition as an OCACH-supported creative

We want this process to feel supportive, not intimidating.

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Ready to Get Started?

Apply for Funding

 

If you’re a creative with an idea that brings people together through culture, this funding is for you.

A Final Word

We believe culture changes lives — and that the people closest to communities are often best placed to lead that change.

If you’ve been waiting for permission, funding, or belief to start…
this could be it.

click here to apply