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Header - Grants Available
 

Grants available

The Foundation runs a variety of grant-aid programmes and will be able to advise you which grant programme fits your needs or recommend an alternative funder if the project falls outside the Community Foundation's criteria.

Each of these funds is open to small voluntary and community groups who have a bank account, constitution and produce annual income and expenditure accounts. All applications are considered by an independent panel of local people with the skills, knowledge and experience to make decisions on awards, and grants are monitored for their effectiveness.

To view the latest grants awarded please click here.

How to apply

We aim to make our grants schemes as accessible as possible, keeping paperwork to the minimum to ensure 'due diligence'.

You can download application forms and guidance notes from this website (see below), or you can contact us on 01458 833133, or by e-mail info@somersetcf.org.uk to receive paper copies.

If you are unsure whether you would be eligible you may wish to submit this an expression of interest form ( please click here to download the form ). Please note eligibility does not guarantee that you would be successful.

You may find it helpful to view our general guidance notes on applying, by clicking here.

Deadlines
Our grants panel will meet every 6 to 8 weeks. They will consider applications received up to two weeks before each meeting. The deadlines for applications are as follows:

2008: 26th August, 16th October, 25th November.
2009: 8th January, 17th February, 2nd April, 12th May, 26th June

Available Funds

Grassroots Grants
Somerset Community Foundation is managing the Government's Grassroots Grants programme in Somerset. Under this scheme small community and voluntary organisations - typically with average incomes of less than £20,000p.a. -can apply for grants up to £5000 over three years from July 2008. The scheme may be used to support a wide variety of projects and activities run by local groups responding to local needs and contributing to strengthening local communities.
APPLY NOW click below to download:
Grassroots Grants application criteria
Grassroots Grants application form

       
    Rural Fund
Our rural communities are experiencing significant changes and threats. This fund supports local community-led initiatives, particularly small-scale, community-led self-help projects that are tackling specific issues arising from living in a village or local community projects specifically designed to increase ‘community cohesion’. Grants up to £1,000 are available to voluntary groups and community organisations. Grants will not exceed 80% of a project’s costs.
APPLY NOW click below to download:
Rural Fund application criteria
Application form
    Team Somerset 500 Club Fund
The fund can help you overcome barriers to achieving your sporting potential. Applicants must be aged 25 or younger. You should have reached at least county level (or equivalent) in your sport, and need financial assistance to reach a higher level.
You can apply for up to 80% of your costs per year for any costs associated with developing sporting potential, for example equipment, competition fees and travel expenses.
APPLY NOW click here to download an applcication from and guidance notes
   

Sport Relief
As a part of Comic Relief, grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available from funds raised annually from the Sport Relief campaign. Projects that bring communities together or provide new opportunities for disadvantaged people through sport and exercise are eligible.
APPLY NOW call office for more details and click here to download an application form

   

Millfield Students Fund  
Students at Millfield have chosen to raise money to create a fund to support local community organisations across the county. The students wish to support children with special needs particularly around speech and music therapy, and their families and projects that support carers.
CURRENTLY CLOSED

    Somerset Giving Fund
Funds are raised from events or specific donations and are directed to where help is most needed. Grants vary in size up to £1,000 and focus on projects which aim to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable adults. We are looking for groups to be small in size with a turnover of no more than £30,000 per year.
APPLY NOW click below to download: Somerset Giving Fund application criteria
Application form
    Cosyfeet Fund
Cosyfeet, a Street-based company have created a named fund in order to support local projects which are helping those with mental health problems. Preference will be given to local projects in and around Street and Glastonbury. Small grants of less than £1,000.   
CALL OFFICE FOR MORE DETAILS
   

Shoon Fund
Shoon, a Wells-based company, are building a Named Fund to support a wide range of local causes across Somerset. For the time being, the income generated by the fund will be added to the Somerset Giving Fund.    
CALL OFFICE FOR MORE DETAILS

   

W.C.S. Pickford Trust
This fund has been transferred to our Endowment Fund to provide long-term support for community projects in and around the village of South Barrow. Projects driven by the South Barrow community take precedence, but any service or project that supports the people of South Barrow may be considered.        
APPLY NOW click below to download: Pickford Trust application criteria Application form

   

Sir John Wills Memorial Trust 
This named fund has been created in order to support local groups in Somerset by awarding small grants for projects involved in musical education. Interested groups should contact the SCF office for more information.
CALL OFFICE FOR MORE DETAILS