Culture Networks Fund – Funding Call

A fund to support Sheffield’s Cultural Collaboration

Context

November 2024 saw the release of Sheffield’s first ever Culture Strategy, a bold and forward-thinking vision that reflects the rich, dynamic and ever-evolving cultural life of our city. This strategy marked a significant moment of opportunity, with consensus across the sector on the need to work differently. At its heart is a commitment to shared leadership and a collaborative, city-wide approach to shaping Sheffield’s cultural future for the benefit of residents, visitors, and the local economy. 

In the 12 months since the strategy launch, Culture Sheffield has been working to enable this approach by building communication channels, hosting events and launching projects that connect the sector. In this time, we have:

  • Launched and grown the Culture Bulletin, delivering news and opportunities to 1,200 sector workers twice a month

  • Engaged more than 1,000 participants through events spanning networking, leadership, strategy and information sharing

  • Partnered with Arts Council England and Voluntary Action Sheffield to recruit and launch the “Culture Strategy Action Group”, a project team of 15 arts professionals gathering regularly to work together around culture.

Alongside this work, we have connected with Sheffield’s existing cultural networks, many of which pre-date the strategy. Built on energy, goodwill and collaboration, these networks were rightly identified in the Culture Strategy as spaces of opportunity: connecting people and organisations around the places, themes and projects where culture can make a difference.

Many networks are already making strong contributions to the ambitions of the Culture Strategy but lack the time, resources, or structure needed to grow their impact. The Culture Networks Fund has been created to help address that gap, supporting a small cohort of networks to organise more effectively, refine their aims, increase their visibility and deliver impactful work for their members and Sheffield’s communities.


Fund overview

The Culture Networks Fund is a targeted grant programme designed to strengthen and support the development of Sheffield’s existing cultural networks.

Cultural networks bring together artists, organisations, and communities around shared aims. When supported, they can become powerful “engine rooms” for collaboration, a reflection of Sheffield’s cooperative spirit and a key driver of the city’s Culture Strategy.

This fund recognises that many networks are already achieving great things but often face challenges in time, resources, and coordination. The Culture Networks Fund aims to help these groups move from discussion to action, supporting them to organise more effectively, plan sustainably, and share their work with a wider audience.


Objectives

The Culture Networks Fund aims to:

  • Support the development of clear aims, actions, and objectives for Sheffield’s cultural networks.

  • Bring stability and consistency to network administration, allowing members to focus on delivery rather than admin.

  • Enable networks to deliver a public cultural event that elevates their work and strengthens their connection with audiences and communities.


Who Can Apply

The fund is open to:

  • Existing cultural networks that are active in Sheffield and contribute to the aims of the Sheffield Culture Strategy.

  • Networks that bring together individuals, organisations, or communities working within or alongside the cultural and creative sector.

  • Networks at any stage of development, provided they have a shared purpose, a commitment to collective working, and clear aims and objectives.

Applicants must be able to:

  • Nominate a lead organisation or accountable body to manage the grant.

  • Demonstrate that they have an active membership of at least 10 individuals/organisations.

  • Have open and transparent criteria for membership.

  • Demonstrate a clear mission and aims, grounded in improving culture in Sheffield.


What You Can Apply For

Total grant pot: £20,000

Networks can apply for up to £4,000 in total funding, split between two areas:

  • Up to £1,500 for organisational development. To support coordination, facilitation, administration, and communication, helping networks to plan and operate effectively.

  • Up to £2,500 to be used for a public event, or as match funding for a larger events programme or funding bid. To support the delivery of a cultural event(s) that reflects the network’s mission, such as venue hire, artist or speaker fees, and marketing.

Projects should be achievable within a grant period of 12-months and demonstrate clear benefit to the network and Sheffield’s cultural community.

In the scenario that we must balance more applications than we can fully fund, we may choose to award a reduced budget.


What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for proposals that:

  • Strengthen collaboration and shared purpose within Sheffield’s cultural sector.

  • Build sustainable structures or practices that will last beyond the funding period.

  • Demonstrate inclusivity, accessibility, and awareness of Sheffield’s diverse cultural communities.

  • Deliver a meaningful public outcome: an event, presentation, or other form of engagement that celebrates and shares the network’s work.


Impact and Expected Outcomes

Funded networks are expected to demonstrate impact in the following areas:

  • Improved coordination: More effective meeting structures, communication channels, and administrative systems.

  • Increased visibility: Public engagement through events or activity that raises awareness of the network’s role and impact.

  • Collaboration and confidence: Stronger relationships and shared momentum among members.

  • Sustainability planning: Clear plans for maintaining activity and collaboration beyond the life of the fund.

Networks will be asked to provide a short summary report at the end of the funding period outlining achievements, learning, and next steps.


Funding Context

This is a single-round stimulus fund designed to give Sheffield’s cultural networks the capacity and resources to take practical steps forward.

The fund is intended to catalyse activity and planning for future sustainability, not to provide ongoing support. Networks are encouraged to use part of the funded resource to explore how meetings, communication, and collaboration can continue after the funding period ends.

If you are a new network and are unable to apply for this fund, please email culturesheffield@sheffield.gov.uk and we can support with advice.


How to Apply

Before you start your application, please refer to this simple budget template.

Once you have done that, please fill in this application form.

Applicants will need to provide:

  • Information on who will manage the grant and oversee delivery.

  • A short overview of their network, membership, and aims.

  • A clear plan for how funding will be used.


Timeline

  • Applications open: 1st December 2025

  • Deadline for applications: 12pm on 12th January 2026

  • Decisions sent: 19th January 2026

  • Grants awarded: February 2026

  • Activity to be delivered by and reported on: March 2027


Funding Amount

  • Maximum award: £4,000 per network

  • Total fund available: £20,000


Contact

For questions, guidance, or support with your application, please contact: Frazer.scott@sheffield.gov.uk or culturesheffield@sheffield.gov.uk