Kensington and Chelsea Social Council

Kensington and Chelsea Social Council (KCSC), established in 2001 as the voluntary sector infrastructure organisation for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), empowers local charities, CICs, and community groups to enhance quality of life, promote inclusion, and foster a fairer, greener, safer borough. Previously Notting Hill Social Council, KCSC's mission centres on capacity-building, advocacy, and partnership, guided by values of integrity, transparency, strong governance, fairness, and community-led solutions. It stands out for its deep local knowledge, trusted ties with grassroots groups and the local council, and holistic support including training, networking, fundraising advice, and shared infrastructure alongside grants.

KCSC funds projects tackling disadvantage and exclusion, prioritising health and wellbeing (especially mental health for marginalised groups), poverty alleviation, employment/skills training, community cohesion, youth empowerment, and support for families, older adults, disabled people, and minorities. Key programmes like Community Solutions Grants back mental health initiatives for Global Majority youth, organisational development, new social change efforts, partnership projects, and community engagement, with beneficiaries including small charities like Kensington & Chelsea Mind and neighbourhood action groups serving RBKC residents, occasionally extending to Westminster.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, and constituted community groups based in or directly benefiting RBKC (priority wards: Dalgarno, Golborne, Notting Dale, Chelsea Riverside) or Westminster, favouring grassroots and small/medium organisations with track records in target communities; no strict income limits or religious restrictions apply. Typical grants range £1,000–£15,000 per year (up to £30,000 over two years), supporting project, revenue, capacity-building, and occasional core costs via online forms on the Plinth portal during fixed rounds—next deadline 5 March 2025 for Community Solutions (opens 13 February). Exclusions are minimal, focusing on legal compliance and governance standards; its impact-driven, collaborative ethos differentiates it by amplifying local voices in policymaking.