Luton Rising Partnership Fund
£2 million to make a difference in Luton. Could you be one of our partners?
The Luton Rising Partnership Fund is a new £2 million investment in a small number of strategic, longer-term partnerships with charities across Luton. Over an initial two years, we’ll work directly alongside organisations that can deliver real, measurable change for local people.
Download this guide which gives full details
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will Luton Rising provide any support to help broker partnerships?
Yes. While we are not acting as a formal partnership broker, we are happy to make introductions and connect organisations where we have relevant knowledge, relationships, or insight that may help foster effective partnerships.
2. Is it acceptable to include a mobilisation period for new work?
Yes. We recognise that new projects or services may require a mobilisation period before delivery begins, and applicants can include this within their proposal where appropriate.
3. Is there a ratio between the amount of funding requested and an organisation’s turnover?
No. There is no set ratio between an organisation’s turnover and the amount of funding it can apply for. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate the financial and organisational capacity required to manage the level of funding requested.
4. Will Luton Rising review the impact of funding already awarded?
Yes. We will consider the impact and outcomes achieved through any previous funding received, particularly where an applicant is seeking continuation or further investment for an existing programme.
5. Can applicants work in partnership with non-voluntary and community sector organisations, for example training providers or employers?
Yes. We welcome collaborative approaches and encourage partnerships that strengthen delivery, improve outcomes, and add value for residents.
6. If Luton Rising supports a project but it receives limited support through the public vote, will this affect the funding awarded?
The public vote will not directly determine the level of funding awarded. However, it will provide valuable insight into community priorities and interests, helping us understand which proposals resonate most strongly with local residents.
7. How will the public participate in the voting process?
The public vote will primarily be conducted online. We are also exploring additional options to enable participation through offline or manual voting methods, helping ensure the process is as accessible as possible.
8. What does Luton Rising mean by “scale”?
Scale refers to the overall reach and impact of a proposed programme in relation to the level of investment requested. We will consider factors such as the number of people supported, the depth of impact achieved, and the potential for wider community benefit.
9. Can a larger lead organisation apply in partnership with smaller voluntary and community organisations?
Absolutely. We strongly encourage partnership and consortium applications where organisations can combine their strengths, expertise, and local knowledge to deliver greater impact.
10. How is the Partnership Fund different from the Luton Taskforce?
The Partnership Fund provides direct investment into specific projects and programmes that deliver measurable outcomes aligned with the fund’s priorities. While projects may address issues identified through the Luton Taskforce, the fund is focused on supporting delivery through strategic partnerships.
11. How long does the funding last?
The initial funding period is up to two years. We are looking to support programmes that can create lasting change and build a sustainable legacy beyond the funded period.
12. Is there potential for funding to continue beyond the initial two years?
Potentially, yes. Any future funding opportunities would be subject to available resources and informed by the impact achieved, outcomes delivered, and evidence generated through the project.
13. How will Luton Rising ensure that smaller organisations with lower capacity are not disadvantaged?
This is a new fund with a new application process and assessment framework. Applications will be assessed against the published criteria, and partnership applications are encouraged to enable organisations of different sizes to work together and maximise their collective strengths.
14. How does the focus on NEET young people and adult employment align with existing government and local funding initiatives in Luton?
We are working closely with relevant council teams and stakeholders to ensure funded activity complements existing programmes, addresses identified gaps, and extends reach where needed, rather than duplicating provision.
15. Is the total funding available equally split across the priority areas?
No. There is currently no fixed allocation of funding across the priority areas. Funding decisions will be based on the strength of applications, the outcomes proposed, and their potential contribution towards the fund’s objectives.
