East Midlands Railway (EMR), operated by Transport UK, has announced the launch of its 2026 Community Fund, making £100,000 available to support projects that make a positive difference across the communities it serves.
The fund is open to non-profit organisations located within 15 kilometres of an EMR-managed station, with the aim of empowering grassroots groups to deliver projects that enhance wellbeing, inclusion and opportunity across the region. Grants will be awarded to successful applicants, with all bids required to be submitted by midnight on 22 May 2026. Applicants will be notified of outcomes during the first week of June.
Kaye Robinson, Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway, said:
“The Community Fund is a great opportunity for worthwhile projects across our region to apply for much-needed support. If your charity, group or club is in need of funding, or has some worthwhile projects that require a financial helping hand, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. But move fast, we will be closing the application window soon.”
The impact of the fund can already be seen through a range of projects supported in previous years. In Derby, Derby Theatre received £4,000 to expand its Dementia Café programme, increasing its reach into care homes and supporting both residents living with dementia and their carers. The funding enabled a series of activities, including a special afternoon tea event celebrating the theatre’s 50th anniversary, as well as a care home roadshow bringing interactive festive performances to six locations across Derby and Derbyshire.
Over The Wall Camp was awarded £10,576 to fund places for ten children with serious illness at its residential camps, covering accommodation, activities, transport and equipment, allowing young people to build confidence and connect with others facing similar challenges. The organisation is also preparing to open a new permanent site in Derbyshire later this year.
Meanwhile, The Sisterhood Collective, delivered by Sequence, received £1,000 to support a series of public talks and a month-long exhibition at Nottingham Central Library, showcasing the work of women and women-identifying photographers and providing access to professional development opportunities and a public platform for underrepresented voices.
Application forms and guidance are available at eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/community-fund. Applications must be signed by the organisation’s Chair or Manager, and Treasurer or Secretary. For further information, contact the EMR Community Fund team at [email protected].