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Through the Kao SEED Fund, Kao Data are demonstrating how data centres can act as catalysts for local communities and make a real difference to people locally. By supporting inspiring, community-led, grassroots projects, Kao Data aim to foster a greener, more vibrant environment while empowering local communities to thrive.
With the construction of the 40MW, £350M data centre campus – in Reddish, also the first of its kind in the region, year 2 of the fund will invest in community activity in North & South Reddish (including Lancashire Hill).
Applications close Wednesday 2nd December
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The Kao SEED Fund aims to support impactful projects in the following areas:
Environmental Sustainability: Projects focused on engaging individuals in:
· Reducing waste
· Improving biodiversity
· Improving local links to nature, fostering nature connectivity for wellbeing
· Building local sustainable and community centred circular practices
Such as: community gardens, sustainable food growing, tool libraries or urban beekeeping programs.
Enterprise Innovation:
· Opportunities for local enterprises to trial new initiatives that benefit local communities
· Trialling projects that contribute to community resilience and economic growth, supporting local economic and community assets
Such as: incubator stalls at local markets, sustainable manufacturing encouraging reducing waste, Community Makers Markets, trialling a new project in an area.
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To apply, organisations must:
· Be a VCFSE (Voluntary, Community and Faith Based Groups, or Social Enterprise) group.
OR partnered with a VCFSE if a start-up
· Have been actively operating in the Reddish ar within the last 12 months.
· If unincorporated, have a constitution with a named board (Chair, Secretary & Treasurer).
· Have a bank account in the name of the organisation, and appropriate financial controls.
Who cannot apply:
· Individuals/Sole Traders
· For-profit businesses
· Projects outside of Reddish
If you’re not sure you have the right structure or are based in the area, please contact Sector 3 at funding@sector3sk.org and we will be able to support you.
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Grants of £500 - £2,500 are available to apply for.
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Meet the Funder: 11th November 2026
Applicatons Close: 2nd December 2026
Panel meeting: 7th December 2026
Funds awarded: February 2027
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A Meet the Funder is taking place on Wednesday 11th November at Re:Dish,
Here you can ask any questons about the fund and the application process.
Meet the Funder
A chance to ask questions and find out more about the fund.
Wednesday 11th November
10.30am - 12pm
Re:Dish
Support with your idea
As your charity infrastructure support service in Stockport, the Sector 3 team are on hand to answer any questions about the fund and your idea.
Get in touch with the team via:
funding@sector3sk.org
Upcoming Training
Previous successful awardees
Who are KAO Data?
Kao Data leads the industry, pioneering the development and operation of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing. With northern England’s largest data centre planned for Stockport, they are home to technology’s most demanding computing infrastructure.
This initiative, aimed at fostering community growth and development, coincides with the construction of Kao Data’s new industrial scale data centre in Reddish. Powered entirely by 100% certified renewable energy, Kao Data's data centre aims to set a benchmark for sustainability within the industry.
“At Kao Data, our commitment to being a good corporate citizen is woven deep into our DNA. The launch of the Kao SEED Fund in Stockport underscores our dedication to fostering sustainability, positive community action, and development projects that will support the local neighbourhood around what will be our newest data centre.”
