Expanding Scouting’s impact within Nottinghamshire relies not only on offering high-quality programmes for young people but also on strengthening the organisation’s presence and contribution within local communities. The Nottinghamshire Scouts Community Grants—offering up to £5,000—provide a vital opportunity for Scout Groups and Districts to design and deliver sustainable community-focused projects that create lasting, meaningful change.

These grants support initiatives where the primary beneficiaries are the wider community, ensuring that Scouting is seen as an active, engaged, and positive force for good. By enabling projects that address local needs—such as improving community spaces, supporting environmental sustainability, enhancing wellbeing, or establishing valuable local resources—the fund helps build stronger connections between Scout groups and the neighbourhoods they serve.

A key focus of the Community Grants is long-term impact. Projects must be designed to be sustainable, providing ongoing benefits over the medium to long term rather than short-lived or one-off interventions. This ensures that the investment made contributes to lasting improvement in local environments, facilities, or services, reinforcing the value of Scouting as a community partner committed to continuous positive contribution.

Central to the grant’s purpose is youth involvement. Each project must actively involve young people in its planning, delivery, and ongoing management. This empowers young members to take ownership of meaningful community action, develop leadership skills, and gain hands-on experience in project management, teamwork, responsibility, and civic engagement. By placing young people at the heart of community initiatives, Scouts demonstrate the practical application of “Skills for Life” in real-world settings.

These Community Grants not only enhance Scouting’s reputation across Nottinghamshire but also help groups build lasting partnerships with local residents, councils, charities, and community organisations. By delivering visible, impactful projects, Scout Groups strengthen community trust, attract new volunteers and supporters, and demonstrate the relevance and importance of Scouting in today’s society.

Through this programme, Nottinghamshire Scouts is investing in sustainable, youth-led community development—ensuring that Scouting continues to make a positive difference far beyond its own membership and into the wider community for years to come.

All applications must be made by Scout Groups or Districts in Nottinghamshire, authorised by the Group Lead Volunteer (if applicable) and the District Lead Volunteer. 

Scout Groups and Districts serving more deprived communities are more likely to be successful applicants. Deprived communities are defined by indices of multiple deprivation (IMD). Taking public data across several different categories of deprivation across all parts of the country are grouped into IMD deciles. Deprived communities are IMD decile 1 to 3 ( about the 30% most deprived parts of the country).

• The County Grant Awards Panel (CGAP) is responsible for awarding and approving all grants and managing associated funds. It is responsible to the County's Board of Trustees (the Board) through its Finance Team.  The CGAP is chaired by a member of the Finance Team.
• Applications will be sent to the CGAP Chair, who will carry out an initial review of the application.
• If the CAGP Chair assesses that an applicant should be considered for an award it will then be reviewed by the CGAP. Where the Chair is uncertain about an application, it must be reviewed by the CGAP.
• The CGAP may decide to award the full amount applied or recommend a lower grant depending on the information provided by the applicant.
• If approved, the applicant will be informed and arrangements for payment will be made. The payment will be made directly to your group.
• If the application is not approved, the applicant will be informed in writing by the Chair of the CGAP.
• The decision of the CGAP may be Appealed once where an application is not approved. The County Lead Volunteer and County Chair will review any Appeal and their decision is final.
• Whilst Nottinghamshire Scouts will aim to ensure that grants are awarded consistently, the amount awarded may be reduced where a grant has many applications. In that case, priority will be given to supporting those who have demonstrated the greatest need.
• Nottinghamshire Scouts may refuse grants at any time – for example, if funds are exhausted.