Grants & Funding
for groups

We run a variety of funding programmes that support around 400 local groups every year. You can read more about our funding programmes for groups below, along with information about how to apply or get support with your application from our friendly team or other local organisations.

All our funding programmes are listed below.

We also run funding programmes that offer grants to individuals.

Before you apply

Before starting your application, please be aware that:

  • it doesn’t cost anything to apply for money
  • you don’t have to be good at writing to get money from us
  • our friendly team will help you if you need extra support, have any accessibility requirements or if English isn’t your first language. You can also contact us if you have any questions, or can’t use our online forms.

You also need to remember that we:

  • give most of our money to smaller groups based here in Somerset (but not those in BANES or North Somerset)
  • will only be able to support you if your group meets our minimum standards, which can be found in our FAQs.
  • can’t support everyone who applies to us. We’re usually able to support around 2 out of every 3 applications we receive.

Need support for your group?

If you’re looking for funding but don’t know where to start, we’ll do our best to help you.

You can contact us and speak with one of our friendly team. Or you can find the contact details for the best member of our team to speak with on each funding programme page.

If your group needs help with other things, you can find details of local organisations who can help you below. This includes running or setting up your group, managing your group’s finances, or making sure everyone is safe through establishing a strong and safeguarding policy.

Eligibility quiz

Check if you’re eligible to apply for our grants & funding.

Take our quiz

FAQs

You can find our minimum standards and everything else you need to know about applying on our FAQs page.

Browse our FAQs

Our grants for groups

Mendip Hills Fund

Grant sizeUp to £2,000

Typical grant£1,000

Apply byMonday 2 December, 2024

Decision inLate January, 2025

Who is it for?Organisations that operate in the Mendip Hills National Character Area (NCA 141) that meet our minimum standards. We can also consider projects in adjacent areas where benefit to the Mendip Hills and its communities can be demonstrated.

What is it for?To support projects that benefit communities and the environment of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB).

View programme details

Main Grants

Grant sizeUp to £5,000

Apply byMonday 6 January, 2025

Decision inEarly March 2025

Who is it for?Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards.

What is it for?To support members of your community who need additional help.

View programme details

HPC Community Fund Small Grants

Grant size£20,000 over 3 years, or up to £10,000 if project is 1 year

Apply byOpen year-round. Next deadline 8 November.

Decision inDecisions made every 2 months. Next decision late December.

Who is it for?Local groups normally running on under £250,000 that are working in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C.

What is it for?To run projects, refurbish buildings or buy equipment.

View programme details

HPC Community Fund Open Grants

Grant sizeMulti-year grants over £10,000 per year

Apply byOpen year-round. Next deadline Friday 13 December, 2024.

Decision inDecisions made every 3 months. Next decision early February, 2025. If you’re applying for over £50,000, it’ll take around 8 months to reach a decision.

Who is it for?Local groups working in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C.

What is it for?To run projects, refurbish buildings or buy equipment.

View programme details

Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund

Grant sizeUp to £10,000

Apply byFriday 8 November 2024

Decision inMid-December 2024

Who is it for?Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards.

What is it for?To help make communities safer.

View programme details

The Somerset Fund

Grant sizeUp to £2,500

Apply byMonday 11 November, 2024

Decision inEarly Jan 2025

Who is it for?Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards.

What is it for?To fund places, spaces, events and activities that bring your whole community together.

View programme details

Somerset Social Investment Programme

Grant sizeFunding up to £40,000, blending an unsecured loan with grant funding. The loan will have a fixed interest rate.

Apply byWednesday 5 February, 2025

Decision inLate March, 2025

Who is it for?Local groups looking for social investment.

What is it for?To grow income from selling goods or services.

View programme details
Closed. Expected to re-open: February 2025

Community Building Energy Efficiency Grants

Grant sizeUp to £20,000

Who is it for?Organisations that run community buildings in Somerset for the benefit of local people. For example village halls, community centres, sports pavilions and other assets used by the whole community.

What is it for?To improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of community buildings.

View programme details
Closed. Expected to re-open: Autumn 2025

Festive Fund for Somerset

Grant sizeUp to £400

Who is it for?Charities, community groups, sports clubs, and social enterprises.

What is it for?Covers the cost of food and/or festive activities.

View programme details
Closed. Expected to re-open: January 2025

The Gooch Charitable Fund

Grant sizeSmaller capital and project grants up to £5,000. Larger capital grants between £5,000 and £50,000. Larger capital grants are usually paid over 2-3 years.

Typical grantTBC

Who is it for?Organisations that benefit people living in Ilminster or the TA19 postcode.

What is it for?To support project costs, like staff time, activities and other running costs or capital costs, like equipment or buildings.

View programme details
Closed. Expected to re-open: Spring 2025

Churchstanton Community Fund

Grant sizeAverage of £500

Who is it for?Local groups in the parish of Churchstanton.

What is it for?To run activities, services or facilities that benefit residents.

View programme details
Closed. Expected to re-open: April 2025

Wessex Water Foundation Environment Fund

Grant sizeUp to £2,000

Who is it for?Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards.

What is it for?To improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the environment for local people.

View programme details
Closed. Expected to re-open: September 2025

Wessex Water Foundation Community Fund

Grant sizeUp to £4,000

Typical grant£2,500

Who is it for?Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards.

What is it for?To support community-based activities or projects that meet a local need and seek to improve the lives of local people who are most in need of support

View programme details
Closed. Expected to re-open: Spring 2025

Oake Sunshine Fund

Grant sizeUp to £2,000

Who is it for?Local groups in the parish of Oake.

View programme details