GRIMSBY: it’s time to ‘GIVE IT A GO’

Give it a Go opens with call for local people to help decide what gets backed through Grimsby’s Growing Together Fund

People across Grimsby are being invited to become Decision Makers and help decide which community ideas receive support through Give it a Go, the first testing phase of the future Growing Together Fund.

Opening today (Monday 11 May), Give it a Go will offer grants of up to £10,000 for ideas from across the town that are ready to test, start or spark something new.

But the immediate call is not only for ideas. It is also for people across the town who want to take part in the decision-making process, review shortlisted proposals and help recommend which projects receive support.

No previous experience is needed, just a commitment to building a positive future for the town and a willingness to back brilliant people who want to do great things. The aim is to bring together a genuine cross-section of Grimsby people, with different ages, backgrounds, experiences and parts of the town represented.

Give it a Go will back practical local ideas now, while helping shape how the Growing Together Fund develops, including further funding opportunities later in the year. It is a first test, designed to help everyone involved learn what works well, what needs to improve, and how the fund can grow with decision-making rooted firmly in the town.

The team delivering the fund will be out and about in Grimsby over the coming weeks if you would like to come and speak with them for more information. You will find them at the following locations this week, and for dates and venues next week please visit the fund website. https://growingtogetherfund.org.uk

Tuesday 12^th May
9:30am to 12:00pm – Freeman Street Market
1pm to 4pm – Career’s Café, Freshney Place

Wednesday 13^th May
9:30am to 12:00pm – West Marsh Community Centre
1pm to 4pm – Café Aspire, Freeman Street

Thursday 14^th May
9:30am to 12:00pm – Centre4
1pm to 4pm – YMCA Foyer

Building on Grimsby Together

The Growing Together Fund is being developed from the work that has taken place through Grimsby Together, where people across the town have helped shape a clearer picture of shared priorities and the future they want to build.

The name Growing Together Fund was chosen by residents, who were invited to suggest and vote for a name that reflects the ambition of the town and the community behind it.

The fund is being developed around a simple idea: Back people to shape the future of their hometown

Over time, the ambition is for the fund to become a lasting, independent resource for Grimsby, rooted in local priorities, able to back ideas at different stages, and shaped by the people who know the town best.

Two ways to get involved

From Monday 11 May, people can:

Become a Decision Maker
People from across Grimsby can help review shortlisted ideas and make recommendations on which projects receive funding.

Apply for funding
Groups, organisations, partnerships and individuals with a host organisation can apply for grants of up to £10,000. Ideas are welcome across a wide range of themes, including arts and culture, community activity, education, environment, health, housing, employment and more.

Applications for both routes are open until Friday 5 June 2026.

Support will be available for people who want to apply, including opportunities to speak to the fund team face to face or online.

What happens next

Give it a Go will help test how community decision-making can work well, fairly and transparently, while supporting ideas that can make a difference now.

Today is not the launch of a finished fund. It is the start of a shared learning phase, shaped with people across the town, that will back practical action now and help test how funding can support ideas that work in the collective good.

Further funding opportunities will follow later in the year, including support for ideas and organisations that need to strengthen and grow, and larger projects that could create longer-term value for the town.

The Growing Together Fund is supported through Pride in Place funding and delivered with support from Key Fund and Our Future, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council.

Find out more

People interested in becoming a Decision Maker or applying for funding can find more information at: https://growingtogetherfund.org.uk

Notes to editors

• The Growing Together Fund is a new community-focused fund being developed for Grimsby.
• It builds on the Grimsby Together process, which has helped identify local priorities and ambitions for the town.
• Its longer-term ambition is to become a lasting, independent fund for Grimsby, rooted in local priorities and shaped by people who know the town best..
• Give it a Go opens on Monday 11 May 2026 and offers grants of up to £10,000.
• Local people are being encouraged to apply to become Decision Makers and help shape which ideas receive support.
• Applications for funding and Decision Makers are open from Monday 11 May until Friday 5 June 2026.
• Learning from Give it a Go will help shape future development of the Growing Together Fund.
• Further funding opportunities are in development and more information will follow later in the year.
• The Growing Together Fund is supported through Pride in Place funding and delivered with support from Key Fund and Our Future, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council.
• The landing page for the fund will go live on Monday 11 May 2026.
• Quotes can be provided upon request.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

About Our Future

Our Future is a national charity that started work in NE Lincs and has built its approach and model in collaboration with people across the town.

It works alongside local people, organisations and partners to build the conditions for lasting, community-led change. In Grimsby, Our Future is supporting the participation process, helping people across the town get involved in decision-making and making sure learning from Give it a Go helps shape what comes next.

About Key Fund

Key Fund is an experienced social fund administrator. For Give it a Go, Key Fund will support the funding process, including eligibility checks, grant agreements and payments.