Community Funds & Investment

Our approach  

We're a key part of local life and are committed to supporting the communities closest to the airport. Living near a major international airport should benefit local people. That's why we invest funding, time and resources into projects that matter to our community and our colleagues.

Our activity

Community funding

London Stansted supports local causes through two funds: the Stansted Airport Passenger Community Fund and the Stansted Airport Community Fund.

The Stansted Airport Passenger Community Fund

The Passenger Community Fund supports local causes within 20 miles of the airport. Funding comes from unwanted foreign currency donated by passengers and staff in the terminal.

Grants support a wide range of groups, including sports clubs, pre-schools, nurseries, Brownies, Guides and local charities.

One recent example is the Rockell’s Wood Restoration Project near Duddenhoe End, which received £1,000. This ancient woodland is the last site west of the M11 to support oxlips, a nationally scarce wildflower under threat from grazing deer. The funding helped pay for temporary fencing to protect them.

To request an application form, email Sandra_king@stanstedairport.com.

The Stansted Airport Community Fund

The Stansted Airport Community Fund offers grants to community groups within around 10 miles of the airport. It supports projects that bring lasting benefits to communities most affected by airport operations, and forms part of our wider Community Engagement programme.

Applying for a grant

Read the funding criteria and apply for a Community Fund grant online.

You can also view application deadlines and committee dates in the 2026-27 Community Fund schedule.

Who decides

Applications are reviewed by an independent committee of local councillors, stakeholders and airport representatives. Their local knowledge helps ensure funding goes where it will have the greatest impact.

Where the money comes from

The airport commits £150,000 each year to the fund until 2029. Additional contributions come from fines issued for noisy or off-track aircraft.

What the fund has achieved

In 2025-26, we supported 80 community organisations with £243,863 in funding, from food banks and first responders to village halls and youth sports clubs. Discover the projects we’ve supported in our Community Fund annual report.

Questions? Contact us at community@stanstedairport.com.