17 September 2026

Somerset Community Foundation reaches £40 million milestone in local funding

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) has awarded more than £40 million to local groups and individuals across Somerset since it was founded in 2002, marking a major milestone in its mission to help communities across the county thrive.

Over the past 24 years, SCF has awarded more than 10,000 grants across Somerset. These have supported everything from small grassroots projects tackling local challenges to county-wide initiatives supporting communities. They have funded work addressing isolation, mental health, poverty, youth opportunities, rural services, the environment and much more.

The Foundation’s grants range from modest awards of a few hundred pounds, helping local organisations respond to immediate community needs, to its largest-ever grant: £1.25 million awarded to Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival in 2023. The grant helped create a permanent carnival park and secure the future of one of Somerset’s most iconic cultural events.

Recent grants through the Foundation’s Stronger Communities Fund include:

• £5,000 to State of Trust to support young people’s mental health.
• £4,000 to Taunton District Friendship Club, helping older people facing rural isolation take part in social activities.
• £3,218 to the Dovetail Orchestra, supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Somerset through a music project.
• £5,000 to The Pod, helping adults with disabilities in Frome live more independent lives.

A £5,000 grant awarded in 2025 also helped Exmoor Rural Health Hub create dedicated health rooms at Cutcombe Market. The hub brings NHS-led health and wellbeing support directly to farmers and their families, removing barriers rural communities can face in accessing care.

Olivia Winterton, Trustee at Exmoor Rural Health Hub, said: “Farming can be an incredibly isolating way of life, and the physical and mental health pressures that come with it are real. Having a nurse available at the market, somewhere people already come to, removes that barrier completely.”

Justin Sargent, Chief Executive of Somerset Community Foundation, said: “Reaching £40 million is a significant moment for us, but the number only matters because of what it represents – thousands of acts of generosity that have helped people change the world on their doorstep.

“Whether it’s a £1.25 million investment securing the future of Bridgwater Carnival or a £5,000 grant bringing healthcare closer to farming families on Exmoor, every grant is about improving lives. That’s only possible because of the generosity of local people, businesses and partners who want to make a difference where they live.”

Somerset Community Foundation connects generous people with the local causes that matter most, ensuring funding reaches the communities where it can make a difference. To find out more about supporting projects like these, visit somersetcf.org.uk/giving.

About Somerset Community Foundation

Somerset Community Foundation is a grant-making charity that helps build strong communities where everyone can thrive. They do this by providing simple, rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give locally. Guided by research and unrivalled local knowledge, they direct funding to local charities, community groups and social enterprises with purpose.

For small, local charities, community groups and social enterprises, they provide vital funding and support to help their organisations flourish. SCF provide over £4 million of funding to local groups every year.

By inspiring local giving and funding social action, they support local communities to drive change and realise their dreams.

Photo caption: Bridgwater Carnival 2025: Gremlins Carnival Club, ‘Morning of the Dragon’.

Photo credit: Timeless images