Grant Directories

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and supports the aims of the government's Levelling Up White Paper and Future Farming Programme. The Fund provides funding for small businesses and community infrastructure in rural areas of England. It aims to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities. The Rural Fund provides capital funding for projects that support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities, and for new and improved community infrastructure that provides essential services and assets for local people and businesses. The funding can be used to fund capital projects that benefit businesses or communities in rural areas.

The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund (PWCF) is a grant making organisation which aims to transform lives and build sustainable communities across the UK by funding a wide range of good causes within their core funding themes: Heritage & Conservation, Education, Health & Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, Environment and Countryside. Through the Small Grants Programme, the PWCF will award grants of up to £5,000 to not-for-profit organisations with an income of up to £1 million. The average award is £1,500. Priority will be given to organisations of which HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron. Applications can be made at any time and will be considered by the Small Grant committee at their quarterly meetings.

The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund is a grant making organisation which aims to transform lives and build sustainable communities across the UK by funding a wide range of good causes within their core funding themes: Heritage & Conservation, Education, Health & Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, Environment and Countryside. The Major Grants Programme will award grants of over £5,000 to not-for-profit organisations. Organisations can apply for major grants by invitation only.

The Devon Community Foundation aims to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged people in the community by investing and distributing funds to community-based voluntary groups on behalf of a wide range of donors. Through the Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Fund, the Foundation provides grants to community groups supporting the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities in the area around the Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm.

Comic Relief and Dorset Community Foundation are working together to distribute grants of between £500 and £1,000 to local organisations for projects that make a positive impact in their communities. Priority will be given to applicants that are; new to Comic Relief and/or Community Foundation funding; in areas of high deprivation; and in geographically underfunded areas. Projects supported may include for example: Foodbanks; counselling and advice services; disability sports clubs/activities; training, skill building and volunteering projects; etc.

Organisations that have a Community Directplus account with the Co-operative Bank can apply for funding from the Customer Donation Fund. Grants can be used to support special projects and fundraising activities. The fund grows in relation to the deposits made; for every £100 increase in collective deposits across Community Directplus accounts the Co-Operative Bank adds 20p to the fund and promises to distribute a minimum of £5,000 twice a year.

As part of BT's Community Fibre Partnerships programme eligible communities in the final 5% of the UK not covered by fibre broadband rollout plans can apply for a match-funded grant of up to £30,000 toward the cost of their new fibre infrastructure where that new infrastructure could also serve their local school. Community Partnerships must first register to find out if they are eligible to apply.

The Wilmcote Charitrust gives grants to Registered Charities and voluntary organisations working for the relief of poverty, sickness, old age and distress, the advancement of religion and education and such other charitable objects as considered appropriate by the trustees. Grants are made to a range of organisations including those whose work benefits ex-service personnel, medical charities, young person's charities, colleges and schools, religious charities and those that help the aged.

Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Herefordshire's most vulnerable people and communities and encourage towns and villages to thrive as communities. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare. Applications must demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, the applicant organisation or project will be user led and make a real difference to people within the community. HCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital purchases or revenue costs such as venue hire, promotional costs, start-up expenses, activities or training and some core costs.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will address the needs of Somerset's most vulnerable people and communities by: Tackling disadvantage, transforming people's lives and strengthening local communities. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare with grants and loans available to eligible organisations and groups. SCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital purchases, revenue costs and some core costs. The Foundation also operates the Somerset Social Enterprise Fund (SSEF) established with initial funding from Somerset County Council to provide loan finance to support new and established social enterprises.

Quartet Community Foundation (QCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. QCF awards grants to support community-based work that has a charitable purpose. Primarily grants are awarded to projects which benefit local people and where a relatively small amount of funding can make a significant difference. Grant awards cover a broad range of issues with applications welcomed from both new and established groups. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare, projects should demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, be user led. QCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital purchases e.g. equipment, maintenance or improvement of community buildings, or revenue costs.

Gloucestershire Community Foundation (GCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. GCF supports local voluntary and community activity through a programme of constructive grant making targeting small, local, voluntary and community organisations where a relatively small amount of money can make a significant difference i.e. grassroots groups including those that do not have charitable status, but do make a local impact. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare. GCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital purchases e.g. equipment, maintenance or improvement of community buildings, or revenue costs such as venue hire, promotional costs, start-up expenses, activities or training.

Dorset Community Foundation (DCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Dorset's most vulnerable people and communities. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare. Applications must demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, be sustainable, be good value for money, support the maximum number of beneficiaries possible and, wherever possible, the applicant organisation or project will be user led and make a real difference to people within the community. DCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital or revenue and also offer two bursary schemes for young people aged 16 - 21 years.

Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation supports local charities, community and voluntary groups in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. CCF invests in grassroots, front line, volunteer led organisations who are making a positive impact in Cornwall aiming to overcome challenges of disadvantage, exclusion and poverty for all ages. Applications are welcomed from both new and established groups who can demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, are user led. CCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs, capital or revenue, and holds specific funds that provide support to individuals.

Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon (CFWS) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Wiltshire and Swindon's most vulnerable people and communities. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare with organisations funded working with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged or those with special needs. Applications must demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, the applicant organisation or project will be user led and make a real difference to people within the community. CFWS is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital projects (up to £5,000 and for one year), revenue and core costs.

Sussex Community Foundation (SCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Sussex's most vulnerable people and communities. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare; small charities are prioritised. Applications must demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, the applicant organisation or project will be user led and make a real difference to people within the community. SCF is able to fund a wide range of activities with eligible project costs including capital purchases or revenue i.e. from a new tea urn for a village hall and kit for a local football team to food banks and homeless shelters.

Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable people and communities. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare. There should be a genuine need for the project, and its purpose and benefit to the community in Oxfordshire must be clear. OCF prefers to award funds to projects that will leave a permanent legacy and will continue after the grant is spent. OCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital purchases or revenue costs such as venue hire, promotional costs, start-up expenses, activities or training. Applications for core costs will be considered.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's most vulnerable people and communities. HIWCF specialises in awarding grants to smaller, lesser known charities and community groups who offer the support, services and activities that can really make a difference to local people's lives. Applications must demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, the applicant organisation or project will be user led and make a real difference to people within the community. HIWCF is able to fund a wide range of capital or revenue project costs.

The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust supports charities across the UK that focus on agriculture, rural development, and insurance-related initiatives. Key areas of support include education, research, rural poverty relief, and social welfare in rural communities. The trust funds larger projects that have a significant impact on these areas, with an emphasis on advancing public and youth education, agricultural research, and rural community development.

Reaching Communities provide grants to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need, including hard to reach communities. There is a small revenue and a capital scheme and a larger buildings only fund. All projects must address one or more of the following outcomes. People have better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills;  Stronger communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems;  Improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy; and Healthier and more active people and communities.