KINGSTON FIRST TOWN CENTRE COMMUNITY FUND

Kingston First, the town centre’s Business Improvement District (BID), values the vital contribution of local and community groups in shaping a lively and welcoming town centre.

To champion this, in 2024 we launched the Kingston First Town Centre Community Fund – designed to inspire and support ideas and projects that have a positive impact on the town centre, support local businesses and promote positive community engagement.

We have had three successful years (find out what we funded since launching here) and are excited to continue to bring our community’s brilliant ideas to life during the 2026/27 funding round. Please note: The next round of Community Fund applications will open in Autumn 2026, so please check back here for updates.

How it works

We want to help local and community focused organisations develop and grow with a fund primarily for not-for-profit, charity or voluntary organisations (however, other types of organisations are welcome to apply, including businesses or individuals, as long as they can demonstrate they meet the criteria) and we will be as flexible as we can be to accommodate different needs.

The funding available is typically around £30,000, and organisations can bid for any amount from £500 up to £10,000, as long as they can outline how they meet the criteria.

We will offer successful applicants access to our training and learning opportunities until the end of the year and support with promoting and marketing the project.

How to apply

The next round of Community Fund applications will open in Autumn 2026, so please check back here for updates.

We welcome diverse and creative ideas from local and community-focused organisations, including non-profits, charities, voluntary groups, and local businesses.

In a nutshell, we’re open to projects and activities that can be delivered in the town centre by the end of the year that fit the criteria.

This could be an event, a trail, artwork, performances, community project, a service or operational support or something else (the only limit is your imagination).

Got questions or a project idea you’d like to run by us in the meantime? We are happy to have an informal conversation with you, just get in touch with us on funding@kingstonfirst.co.uk or 020 8547 1221.

“We’re so proud of what the Community Fund has achieved since launching – empowering local groups to deliver meaningful projects that celebrate our community, culture and creativity while supporting local businesses and the town centre. We can’t wait to see even more bold and brilliant ideas that bring people together and make Kingston an even better place to live, work and visit.”

– Shareena Merzi, Director of Communications & Corporate Development, Kingston First

What We’ve Funded So Far…

2026

£5,000 funding towards Kingston’s first-ever Pride

LGBTQIA+ organisation Unapologetic received £5,000 of funding to deliver a programme of creative, community-led workshops to support Pride in Kingston. The programme included Kingston’s first-ever pedestrian parade, performances, and community workshops – bringing visibility, individuality and celebration to the heart of Kingston during one of the UK’s most culturally significant moments.

Mj & Kimberley from Unapologetic said:

“Pride in Kingston 2026 was a fantastic success, and we are overwhelmed by the incredible support and enthusiasm shown for the borough’s first-ever Pride celebrations. The weekend was filled with joy, celebration and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who supported and took part in making Pride In Kingston’s first year such a memorable success, the turnout really shows the importance of representation within our borough.”

£5,000 funding towards artwork trail celebrating independent businesses

Anstee Bridge – a charity supporting vulnerable young people struggling with their social, emotional and mental health – received £5,000 for their ‘Windows of Belonging’ community art project. Artwork honouring the people and places that help Kingston thrive was co-created by young people from Anstee Bridge and professional artists and displayed on the shopfronts of independent businesses.

Katherine Greening, Head of Anstee Bridge, said:

“The posters highlight the unique character and contribution of these shops while giving young people an opportunity to develop their creativity, confidence, and connection to their local community. The project is a celebration of both Kingston’s thriving independent business community and the talents of the young people who helped bring their stories to life.”

Follow the artwork trail via the InKingston app here.

£10,000 funding towards Kingston’s Street Art Festival

Returning after a standout debut, the Kingston Street Art Festival will transform Kingston town centre into an open-air gallery, featuring leading local, national and international artists. Building on last year’s success, the festival will animate public spaces across the town centre, driving footfall and cultural engagement. The festival will return on 22nd and 23rd August, and will feature live large-scale murals, a riverside art market, and free creative workshops.

£6,200 funding towards accessible, age-inclusive gig experiences

Our funding to Kingston Youth Anthems will bring a series of high-energy live music events designed specifically for children and families, bringing younger audiences into Kingston’s night time economy venues during the daytime. The project creates accessible, age-inclusive gig experiences while supporting local venues.

Matt Barnwell, at Youth Anthems, said:

“We’re massively grateful for this support from Kingston First which will allow us to develop access to music for younger people via our Youth Anthems program. We’re really looking forward to being able to support local bands while bringing in families to the town to experience the great night time economy offering during the day!”

2025

£6,750 to celebrate the nature and heritage of Kingston upon Thames

The funding went towards the successful first Kingston Nature & History Festival that took place between May 30th 2025 and June 1st 2025, celebrating Kingston’s nature and history.

Nature Conservation Manager of Habitats & Heritage, Charlotte Harris, said:

“We had a lovely sunny weekend in Kingston town centre running activities for all ages for the Kingston First funded ‘Kingston Nature and History Festival’! Highlights included a fascinating talk on the history of Kingston Power Station and power generation in London, a family bug hotel and wildflower planter making workshop, and the chance to learn about bats and listen to them with bat detectors on our bat walk. Many local businesses kindly offered discounts for festival attendees, and we launched the Kingston Wildlife QR Code Trail which is running until June 30th.”

£11,250 funding towards connecting refugees and individuals seeking asylum with valuable employment

The funding went towards Refugee Action Kingston’s Employment Hub connecting refugees and individuals seeking asylum with valuable employment and volunteering opportunities within Kingston town centre.

Alistair Kingsley, CEO of Refugee Action Kingston, said,

“We are grateful for the support from this fund, which has been instrumental in connecting our clients with local job opportunities. It also helped us to explore partnerships with organisations like John Lewis, that will ultimately support our efforts in helping individuals secure employment in Kingston and build brighter futures in the UK.”

£10,000 funding towards the inaugural Kingston Mural Festival

The funding went towards Kingston Street Art Festival showcasing a diversity of local, national and international street artists. The festival took place on 23rd & 24th August in the Town Centre featuring live mural painting, an art market and workshops.

Tom, Artist & Festival Organiser, Sky High, said,

“We’re thrilled to see the community fund continuing to support projects that bring creativity, connection and pride to Kingston. Thanks to this funding, the mural festival has grown into something that truly celebrates both local and national artists, and transforms everyday spaces into inspiring works of art for everyone to enjoy.”

£500 funding towards supporting local artists

The funding went towards Kingston Artists Open Studios (KAOS) annual exhibition held at Fusebox between 7th – 15th June 2025.

£1,500 funding towards increasing accessibility and inclusivity of the town centre

The funding went towards creating a pool of trained volunteers who will guide and support blind and partially sighted residents and visitors to access and enjoy the town centre.

2024

£2950 to support night-time economy and community safety

The funding went towards training new Street Pastors and the provision of additional volunteers every Saturday night.

Co-ordinator of the Street Pastors, Charles Bamford, said:

“We are delighted to have been chosen to receive support from the Town Centre Community Fund. Thank you to all at Kingston First and all your members for supporting our work through this grant which will enable us to increase the number of nights that we can deploy volunteers in Kingston’s night time economy to care, listen and help, providing support to all users of the town centre and particularly those who are vulnerable.”

£2550 funding towards celebrating Kingston’s rich heritage

The Seven Saxon Kings Embroidery Project features seven newly commissioned embroidery panels depicting the kings believed to have been crowned in Kingston set to be installed in the historic All Saints Church by Summer 2025, commemorating the 1100th anniversary of King Athelstan’s coronation. The funding will contribute to raising awareness of Kingston’s historical significance helping to position the town as a premier destination for history and heritage.

Kate Shrimpton, Communications Manager at All Saints Church, said,

“We are thrilled to be receiving this grant. It will help us make a promotional video for our prestigious Saxon Kings Embroidery project. We hope this will generate lots of interest and provide yet another reason to visit our amazing town.”

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£9500 funding towards activating Kingston Riverside in July

Organised by local arts charity Creative Youth, RIVERFEST, a new festival transformed the riverside with theatre performances, workshops, music, and visual art installations over 10 days.

Dan Cartlidge, Co-Director of Creative Youth, said:

“Creative Youth are excited to begin working on RIVERFEST, having been recipients of the first Kingston First Community Fund. Together with local businesses, creative practitioners and young people, we will enliven Kingston’s riverside this summer, as part of the annual FUSE International festival. RIVERFEST will feature visual art, music, performance and more, offering people a range of free arts activities to get involved with. Situated outside our new multiarts space, FUSEBOX, these activities will engage the local community, whilst simultaneously celebrating the breadth of businesses along Kingston’s riverside. We are delighted to accept Kingston First’s generous support and use this to animate our riverside in a way which benefits the whole community. “

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