Make it Happen Fund
Do you have a project or event idea that could positively impact your community? Apply now to Make it Happen!
What is the Make it Happen fund?
Make It Happen is a small grants scheme for Islington and Cripplegate Ward residents and groups, which offers funding up to a maximum of £500 for people to act on things they care about locally. The purpose of the fund is to bring people together and do something that makes them feel proud of where they live.
Social housing landlords Peabody and Clarion alongside Islington Giving and other local voluntary organisations in Islington are working together with communities to build individual and community resilience and support innovation.
What can you apply for?
Projects must align with one of the following aims:
- Healthy – helping people with their physical and mental wellbeing
- Happy – helping people make the most out of their lives through active citizenship, volunteering and community involvement
- Connected – bringing people together making them the heart of the community
The fund is to support activities and events that support local people by bringing joy or making a difference to the community. Projects could bring a new idea to life, help residents to put on a community event or support ongoing work of local groups. Examples include cultural cooking sessions, a community arts festival, parent and family support groups, mental health support initiatives, a community book club, a community art installation, health and wellbeing initiatives, and festive celebrations.
How to apply
Important: Please read the accompanying guidance carefully before you apply.
If you have any questions before you apply, require additional support or would like to discuss your idea, please contact Sarah Page, Make it Happen Coordinator on sarah.page@islingtongiving.org.uk or call 020 7123 4230.
Our application form is designed to make it as easy as possible to apply. However, if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format or need extra assistance, please do contact us.
Deadline for applications: Monday 12th October 2026, 10am
Timeline
- Monday 12th October 2026, 10am: Deadline for applying – this is the last day you can apply!
- At the beginning of November, we will let you know if your application has been successful.
- You should have spent your grant within six months of receiving it and then share with us what impact the funding had for the local community.
The Make it Happen fund is a rolling programme so you can apply at any time of the year. There two deadlines per year in May and October. If you are applying for a Summer project you should apply before the May deadline and if a winter or spring project you should apply before the October deadline. For the May deadline, projects you are applying for should not take place before June and for the October deadline, should not take place earlier than November.
Useful documents
Important: The following documents are for applicants using the Open Collective platform. For more information, please contact Sarah Page, Make it Happen Coordinator on sarah.page@islingtongiving.org.uk.