Black History Season 2025

Hackney’s Black History Season - 2025 small grant scheme now live.

Hackney Council’s Culture Team are proud to launch this year’s small grant programme to support cultural activities and projects for Hackney's Black History Season. Below is a list of frequently asked questions for potential applicants.

For a Google Doc version of the questions in advance please click here. However your answers will need to be submitted via the online form. For further access support please contact culture@hackney.gov.uk

What is it?

A small grant scheme from the Hackney Council Culture team to deliver this year’s Black History Season.

How much can I apply for?

We have a pot of £10,000 to distribute across multiple applicants. You can apply for up to £2,000 but you do not have to apply for the full amount. If you apply for less, we can fund more groups. This is a highly competitive grants programme and as such not all eligible and/or good applications will receive an offer of funding.

Do I have to offer match funding?

No. But each bid will be scored to a value for money criteria. Therefore projects where cash or in-kind contributions are included in the budget will score higher.  

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to Hackney residents and/or people who wish to create work that engages Hackney’s communities. Your activity should be delivered in the period of our Black History Season (October or November of 2025). Applications are accepted from any constituted voluntary, community or recreational group, not-for-profit or charitable organisations (linked to Black communities), businesses (where the project is not for profit), or individual artists and/or producers. 

We particularly encourage applicants wishing to explore the African diaspora within Hackney and those from LGBTQ and Disabled groups. 

You must be based in Hackney and/or your activity or project must take place in Hackney with Hackney residents.

Who cannot apply?

You cannot apply if your project is being delivered for commercial or money making purposes. Whilst we appreciate you may want to ticket events, we would expect tickets to be affordable or free to Hackney residents and that any income is used as match funding to support delivery of the project, which may include paying yourself or other partners. 

When does the activity have to take place?

October or November of 2025.

When is the deadline?

Applications are open now and close midnight Sunday 11th August.

When will I hear back?

We endeavour to contact all applicants no later than the last week of August.

When will payments be made?

You may choose to have the payment in two stages, one payment for delivery of the event and one payment once the evaluation data has been confirmed, unless otherwise agreed. Alternatively, one payment will be made on completion of the project and upon the receipt of your evaluation documents. We aim to make payments as quickly as possible but this will depend on contracting processes.

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your idea please email: culture@hackney.gov.uk using the subject title: Black History Season Grants