--- title: Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2027 date: 2026-09-30T16:05:00+01:00 author: Kate Mulkern canonical_url: "https://cuf.org.uk/take-action/explore-near-neighbours/windrush-grant-scheme/windrush-day-grant-scheme-2027" section: Pages --- --- # Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2027 The Windrush Day Grant Scheme provides funding to communities looking to commemorate, celebrate and educate about the Windrush Generation and their contribution. Applications for funding will remain open until at 11:59pm on 29th October 2026. [ Sign up to one of our bidder’s workshops ](https://cuf.tfaforms.net/560) [ Windrush Day Grant Scheme Application form ](https://cuf.tfaforms.net/536) --- ## The Windrush Day Grant Scheme Church Urban Fund, through its Near Neighbours programme, administers the Windrush Day Grant Scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The Windrush Day Grant Scheme brings communities together, across different ages and ethnic backgrounds, to raise awareness, build pride, and encourage and inspire young people about the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants. ## Resources to support your application: [Word Version of the Application Form](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/WDGS27-Grants-Application-Form-for-drafting.docx?v=1790709742) (for drafting purposes only) [Online Application Form ](https://cuf.tfaforms.net/536)(required for submission) [Guidance for applicants ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/WDGS27-Guidance-for-Applicants.docx?v=1790707258) [Frequently Asked Questions ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/WDGS27-FAQs.docx?v=1790708418) [Annex 1 – Template ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/WDGS27-Annex-1.xlsx?v=1790848793) [Annex 1 – Example and guidance ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/Budget-example-guidance.xlsx?v=1790707541) [Privacy Notice](https://cuf.org.uk/windrush-day-grant-scheme-2027-privacy-notice) --- ## FAQ’s 1. What is the Windrush Day Grant Scheme? In order to mark the anniversary of the MV Empire Windrush docking in the UK, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is offering up to £500,000 in grant funding to support a new cohort of impactful and ambitious projects. As of today, HM Government has dedicated £5.25 million in funding toward honouring the Windrush legacy. This includes £4.25 million across eight years of the Windrush Day Grant Scheme (WDGS), and £1 million allocated to the National Windrush Monument, which stands as a fitting tribute to the contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to the UK. 2. What do you mean by ​‘Windrush generation’? In line with the advice of UK Caribbean community stakeholders who have worked on previous iterations of the scheme, we define the Windrush generation as those people who emigrated from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom from the end of WW2, including the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948 until the Immigration Act 1971, their descendants and the wider UK Caribbean community. The MV Empire Windrush arrived at the Port of Tilbury on 21 June 1948 and its passengers disembarked a day later. The ship carried several hundred Caribbean migrants, many of them veterans of the Second World War. Since then, the Windrush has come to symbolise the first movement of mass migration to the United Kingdom in the post-war era. 3. What type of projects/​events will you fund? We are keen to build on the work that organisations up and down the country have done so far across the previous eight iterations of the WDGS. We are looking for unique, bold, creative, community-led, and culturally resonant proposals that engage with the Windrush story and Windrush communities in powerful, enterprising and thoughtful ways. Projects need to be realistic about what is achievable within the scheme’s timeframe. Therefore, we strongly encourage proposals to set out manageable deliverables. Applicants will need to provide assurance in their application that their organisations have the capacity to keep to their proposed delivery timetable and are able to commit to the grantee roles and responsibilities (as outlined in section 10 of the guidance for applicants document). We also ask that proposals demonstrate clearly how their project will work with named local partners. These might include organisations such as museums, libraries and schools. 4. What type of projects will not be funded? We will be looking for projects that achieve all the outcomes of the Windrush Day Grant Scheme. Organisations must ensure that projects do not engage in political or extremist activity, do not promote partisan political views, and that they provide value for money. ‘Political activity’ is defined as using a grant to fund lobbying in order to undertake activities intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, government or political activity; or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action. 5. Is my organisation eligible to receive this grant? Organisations are eligible to apply if: 1. They are registered: 1. Charities 2. Exempt charities 3. Community interest companies/​Community Interest Organisations 4. Social enterprises 5. Community benefit societies OR: b. They meet all the following criteria as demonstrated by submitting additional supporting documents: 1. They are established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes 1. They have a governing body with at least three members 2. They have a governing document which they can produce 3. They can provide accounts demonstrating good financial health across both of the last two financial years OR: 1. They are a local authority Local authorities may include a county council; a district council; a parish council; a combined authority; a London borough council; or another organisation set out in Section 33(1) of the Local Government Act 2003. We encourage schools, libraries and other local authority organisations to submit bids in conjunction with their local authority. (In order to be eligible all local authorities must apply as part of a consortium rather than as sole applicants, to ensure stronger collaboration and wider community benefit). If your organisation’s charitable status is unconfirmed or unregistered, it may still meet the second set of eligibility requirements. This is also the case for many other types of organisations such as exempt charities and credit unions. Documents or copies of documents may be provided in physical or digital form, provided that any copies or scans are legible. Organisations which meet neither set of requirements should, in the first instance, contact their local authority and request to be included as part of a bid from the local authority. Alternatively, your local authority may be able to provide connections with other similar organisations which are eligible. 6. Is the scheme only open to projects in England? Yes, the scheme is only open to applications from projects in England. 7. Is it possible to apply for funding as a group of bidders? A group of bidders can apply. If applying as a consortium, organisations must have agreed a lead partner and project lead (individual) from one of the organisations to manage the programme. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) must also be established for dividing the work and funds between partners and for managing performance. The lead partner must be a charity, a community group with a charitable purpose or a local authority. 8. Is there a limit on the number of organisations that can be involved in a consortium bid? There is no limit on the number of organisations that can be involved in a consortium bid; however, there is a maximum limit on the amount a bid can request, which is £25,000. For consortium bids there must be a designated lead partner to manage the programme, and a system for dividing the work and funds appropriately and effectively. The lead partner must be eligible to apply for the scheme as specified in the Guidance for Applicants. Multiple local authorities working together, or organisations working together across multiple local authority areas, may be considered as part of a consortium bid. 9. My organisation has received funding through the Windrush Day Grant Scheme previously. Can I apply for the 2027 scheme? In order to be eligible, neither the applying organisation nor any member of your consortium may have received funding from the Windrush Day Grant Scheme more than once since 2022. 10. How do I apply? This grants programme is administered by Church Urban Fund, through its Near Neighbours programme, on behalf of MHCLG. You can apply to the scheme [here.](https://cuf.tfaforms.net/536) Applications must be submitted by 23:59 29th October 2026. Please direct any queries relating to the grant scheme and the application process to 11. When is the deadline for applications and when will I find out if my bid has been successful? We opened the application process for proposals on the 1st October 2026 and the application period closes at 23:59 on 29th October 2026. We will inform applicants of the outcome of their bids in March 2027. 12. How much funding is available and how much can I apply for? We have a budget of up to £500,000 available to fund events and projects across the country, for a value of between £5,000 and £25,000. Please see the accompanying Guidance for Applicants for further details. Some bidders may be seeking funding below £5,000. In this case, they should contact their local authority to explore the possibility of inclusion in a larger bid. 13. Can project events take place before or after National Windrush Day? The 22nd of June marks National Windrush Day and whilst we strongly encourage projects to hold their lead event or activity on National Windrush Day itself we do recognise that this may not be suitable for all groups, projects may therefore hold their lead event or activity between Saturday 19th and Sunday 27th June provided there is a clear justification for the date selected. All other events and activities must take place between 8th June and the 31st July 2027, however, there is no requirement to spread delivery across the entire project period unless this is necessary to meet the project’s objectives. It should be noted that this funding is available for the 2027 scheme only. 14. When will funding be released? Funding for all approved projects will be released in April 2027. 15. Can we apply for funding to cover the core running costs of our organisation? This funding will support organisations to deliver projects which they would otherwise not have been able to deliver. To ensure that Windrush Day Grant Scheme funding supports the work of as many communities around the country as possible, it is important for projects to demonstrate value for money. We will be looking at how organisations would make the most of the grant. Costs should be reasonable and proportionate. We would like to see proposals that involve the sharing of premises, people and equipment. Organisations should be mindful of the staffing costs associated with their project and make efforts to limit how much of their allocated grant funding is used for this purpose. 16. How will bids be assessed? Bids will be assessed according to the selection criteria, which can be found in the Guidance for Applicants. They will be made in accordance with HMG’s [Code of Conduct for Recipients of Government General Grants](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/771152/2019-01-15_Code_of_Conduct_for_Grant_Recipients_v._1.01.pdf) and assessed in partnership with a board of community stakeholders, whose expertise in the Windrush community will guide decisions on project effectiveness and recommended funding levels. A final recommendation will then be submitted to the relevant MHCLG Minister for approval. Robust due diligence checks will be carried out to ensure that funding is awarded appropriately. 17. My organisation has little, or no, experience working with the Windrush Community. Are we still eligible to apply? Organisations that do not directly work with Caribbean-heritage groups may still apply, but the applications must be created with, or informed by, the Windrush community, and you will need to let us know how you plan to engage and work with Windrush Communities as part of your application. The Windrush generation and their descendants live and work in communities around the UK, and events and activities should engage with them, as well as with those from different age groups and ethnic backgrounds. Projects should therefore encourage communities to work together across generational and social divides. To support community cohesion, bidders will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to encouraging engagement and participation from people of diverse backgrounds, including those beyond Windrush communities. Doing so will better enable the whole community to mark aspects of our shared UK identity. 18. How can I find out more? An overview of the application process and what will be assessed is provided in the Guidance for Applicants document. Near Neighbours will be hosting bidder workshops to provide an overview of the scheme and offer bidders a chance to ask questions. The workshops will be held virtually on: Friday 9th October, 11:00am – 12:00pm Tuesday 13th October, 11:00am – 12:00pm Wednesday 14th October, 06:00pm – 07:00pm Tuesday 20th October, 06:00pm – 07:00pm Please click [here](https://cuf.tfaforms.net/560) to register. 19. Can we charge fees for our event? Projects may charge entry fees and/​or for refreshments etc. at events that form part of their project. However, to be successful, they must demonstrate that the project will be accessible to the target audience and those living in the local community. Projects could seek sponsorship for their events as part of their additional sources of funding. Please include details on this in the application. To maintain the scheme’s emphasis on celebrating Windrush Day and commemorating the Windrush generation, fees charged for entry and/​or refreshments at events should be set at a level supporting the operational costs of the project. 20. Can funding from the Windrush Day Grant Scheme be used toward a wider programme of work undertaken by an organisation? Funding provided through the Windrush Day Grant Scheme must be used for projects that specifically Raise Awareness, Foster Pride, and Encourage & Inspire Young People, about the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants to the economic, social and cultural life in the United Kingdom. The funding cannot be used to fund wider work unrelated to the purpose and celebratory aims of this grant scheme. 21. With the scheme running for the last eight years, will any consideration be made in prioritising awards to organisations or areas of the country that have not previously been funded (for instance, rural areas)? We encourage proposals from outside London so that Windrush Day is actively celebrated across England. Each bid will be assessed on its own merit. 22. Am I guaranteed to get the full amount of funding that I apply for? The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reserves the right to award a funding amount that is less than the amount requested in a project application. 23. If I have a strong project and follow the guidance, am I guaranteed funding? No. Unfortunately, as the scheme is oversubscribed and competition is high, even strong projects can be unsuccessful. Our selection process considers several factors, including how well each project aligns with the scheme’s aims, while also seeking a good geographic spread and a diverse mix of events, activities, organisations, and ideas. 24. Our project has already started. Can we use grant funding for any project costs that have already taken place? No. Grant funds cannot be used for work that has already taken place. Funding can only be used for work/​items that takes place after funding award and subject to due diligence checks. Windrush Day Grant Scheme funding can be spent on upcoming costs for projects that the bidding organisation has already begun to deliver, however it cannot be used to recoup costs that have already been incurred as part of these projects. 25. What hourly staff rates/​equipment costs are considered reasonable? There is no standard rate we consider to be reasonable, as each project will vary in size and cost. Each application will be assessed on its individual ability to achieve value for money and against marketplace value. 26. What percentage of funding received can be used for staffing costs? As a rough guide, organisations should aim to keep the staff costs associated with running the project to less than 25% of the total cost, but all applicants should consider how their staffing costs are proportionate to their total project costs. The panel will consider this in the context of the overall proposal and bidders will have the opportunity to explain how their proposal achieves value for money as part of the application form. 27. Do you need to see contracts in place between consortium partners No. However, we do require consortium partners to have in place a memorandum of understanding which displays the intention of the organisations to work together. The MoU must outline the division of roles, responsibilities and funding split between partners, as well as how performance will be managed. 28. Do we need to have formal contracts with our suppliers? No. However, we recommend keeping clear written records and putting formal agreements in place with suppliers where appropriate. This will help support the successful delivery of your project and reduce the risk of disputes. 29. Do I need to meet all the schemes aims? No, for the purposes of the application we ask that you focus on a single core aim out of the three aims: raise awareness, foster pride or encourage and inspire. Any additional incidental aims will not be viewed more or less favourably. One of the reasons we ask you to focus on a single aim, is that a tighter focus can often lead to a stronger and more compelling proposal. 30. How many events and activities am I expected to run? Whilst we love to see ambitious projects, we also want to see a realistic, step-by-step picture of how the project will unfold within the funding period. Sometimes projects with fewer elements done well can prove more impactful than a project with multiple elements. 31. Will I be penalised for using AI to support the writing of my application? No, you will not be penalised for using AI to support your writing, however we strongly recommend that you proofread anything produced with AI to ensure it is a true reflection of your group’s intentions, resources, and capabilities at the date of submission. We strongly encourage, whether you use AI or not, to make sure your application is specific and reflects the real you/​organisation as we receive many well-written applications, but the panel values original thinking, whereas generic, templated proposals tend to score lower on Project Plan & Concept. 32. What do you mean by a project being innovative, unique and/​or culturally resonant? **Innovation/​Innovative**: doing something in a new or different way: a novel method, format or idea. (How original the approach is.) **Uniqueness/​distinctiveness**: standing apart from what else exists: rarity, a distinctive element, or something you don’t often see in this portfolio or place. (How far it stands apart from everything around it.) **Culturally resonant** (in this context): meaningful and authentic to the Windrush story and community, so that audiences ​“learn something a little different” each year. (The aim is not novelty, but work that is both fresh and resonant.) These overlap, but they are not the same thing. A project can be: - **Innovative but not unique** – a new method several applicants happen to propose; - **Unique but not especially innovative** – a one-of-a-kind subject delivered through entirely conventional formats; - **Innovative, unique and culturally resonant** – these tend to be the most ​“stand-out” bids. 33. Any other questions? If you have a question that is not answered here or in the Guidance for Applicants document, please email Near Neighbours at windrush@cuf.org.uk We regret that we are unable to advise on the suitability or strength of your project idea. We will endeavour to update this document with new answers to frequently asked questions as they arise. ## See it in action See below some stories from the projects funded through the Windrush Day Grants Scheme. You can find out more about the [33 projects funded in 2026 here.](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/windrush-day-grant-scheme-2026-projects-to-be-funded) - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/20250616-IMG_8553-Portrayed-Photography.jpg?v=1790327916) ### [Forgotten Heroes – Honouring Legacy in Bristol](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/forgotten-heroes-honouring-legacy-in-bristol) Forgotten Heroes’ doesn’t just tell untold stories — it challenges us to rethink who we remember and why - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/Windrush-Heritage-Intergenerational-Connection-and-untold-Windrush-stories.png?v=1789988593) ### [Heritage, Intergenerational Connection and untold Windrush stories](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/heritage-intergenerational-connection-and-untold-windrush-stories) Over 1,000 school children took part in Arts Bridge Charity’s Luton Windrush workshops. 150 went deeper, training in interview skills and creative devising. 20 elders shared their journey. - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/Windrush-Hear-us-Sing-2.jpg?v=1789985282) ### [The Past Retold By the Future](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/the-past-retold-by-the-future) To a packed St John the Divine in Kennington, about 30 children from the children’s choir led the Windrush Commemorations in the premier of ​“A Word Called Change”.