A question we hear often from community interest companies working in arts and culture is whether they are actually eligible for Arts Council England (ACE) Project Grants. The short answer is yes, but there are a few things worth checking before you apply.
CICs are eligible for Project Grants
Arts Council England's Project Grants programme is open to organisations as well as individuals, and this includes community interest companies, alongside charities, CIOs, other not-for-profit organisations, and some other business structures. A CIC does not need to convert to a charity to apply.
CICs can apply
Your organisation's CIC status does not, on its own, prevent you from applying to the programme.
Charity status is not required
You do not need to become a registered charity simply to submit a Project Grants application.
What matters is that your organisation and proposed activity meet ACE's current eligibility requirements and that your application makes a strong case for public benefit.
What ACE will want to see from a CIC
Because a CIC is a company limited by shares or guarantee with an asset lock, rather than a registered charity, it is important to explain how your organisation operates and how the proposed project will benefit its community.
- Evidence that the CIC's activities are genuinely for public and community benefit, in line with its CIC status.
- A clear community interest statement and information about the CIC's asset-lock arrangements.
- Financial information showing that the organisation can deliver and manage the proposed activity.
- Governance arrangements, including who is responsible for decisions and overseeing the project.
- An explanation of how the proposed project fits ACE's programme priorities and Investment Principles.
Explain the public benefit of your proposed activity clearly. Do not assume that your organisation's CIC status automatically communicates the impact of the project to an assessor.
What the funding can cover
Arts Council England's National Lottery Project Grants can support eligible project costs, including artist and freelancer fees, materials, venue hire, marketing, training and professional development. Funding may also contribute towards organisational overheads, provided these costs are appropriately attributed to the funded activity and meet ACE's requirements.
Depending on the nature of the activity, some equipment, accessibility improvements and capital-related expenditure may also be eligible, subject to the specific programme conditions. The important distinction is whether a cost is justified as part of the proposed project and meets ACE's eligibility rules.
What makes a strong application
- A clear, specific project with a defined start and end point.
- Evidence of community need or demand, rather than assumption.
- A realistic budget that matches the scale of the request.
- Clear outcomes: what will be different for people as a result of the project.
- Confirmation that the organisation meets ACE's applicant requirements and has appropriate arrangements for receiving and managing funding.
For the latest information about eligible expenditure, including project costs, organisational overheads and any specific conditions, consult the Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants Guidance Library ↗ .
Where CICs sometimes trip up
One common issue is not eligibility itself, but the application failing to make the public benefit case clearly enough. Since a CIC structure is different from that of a registered charity, it is worth being explicit about who benefits from the project, how, and why it matters to your community.
Public benefit is unclear
The application does not clearly demonstrate who the project is for and why it matters to the community.
Financial evidence is weak
A newer CIC, or one with irregular bookkeeping, may need to prepare stronger financial information before submitting.
Another challenge is demonstrating financial readiness. A CIC that is very new or has limited financial history may need to provide additional context about its finances and how it plans to manage the proposed grant, particularly for larger requests.
Make both the community benefit and the organisation's ability to manage funding clear. Your application should demonstrate impact as well as delivery confidence.
Grant sizes for CICs
Arts Council England's National Lottery Project Grants programme offers different application routes depending on the amount requested. CICs should choose a funding level that reflects the scale of the activity they can realistically deliver.
Applications for £30,000 and under generally follow a less detailed application route, while requests over £30,000 require additional information about the project, budget and delivery arrangements.
£30,000 and under
A shorter application route, while still requiring a clear project and convincing case for funding.
Over £30,000
More detailed information about the budget, delivery arrangements, project evidence and organisational capacity.
For more on larger applications, read our guide to ACE Project Grants over £30,000 . Always check the current ACE guidance for the funding limits and requirements in force when you apply.
How Alira Arts can help
We support CICs, charities and CIOs across arts and culture, environmental sustainability and wellbeing with ACE Project Grants applications, including reviewing draft applications before submission.
Whether you are checking if your CIC's project is eligible or preparing a detailed application, specialist support can help you strengthen the case, clarify the budget and address potential weaknesses.
