Deadline: 29-Jul-2026
The Carew Pole provides grants to local not-for-profit groups and community projects in South East Cornwall that aim to create long-term positive impact. Grants generally range from £500 to £2,000 and support local charities, voluntary groups, community organisations, social enterprises, foodbanks, scout groups, museums, and other community initiatives.
Applicants do not need to be registered charities, but their activities must be charitable and must benefit local people in South East Cornwall. Project start dates must not be before October 2026, with funding decisions expected in early October.
What is the Carew Pole Grant Fund?
The Carew Pole Grant Fund supports local not-for-profit organisations and community projects in South East Cornwall.
The fund is designed to help local groups deliver activities that create lasting benefits for communities.
It supports practical, community-based initiatives that improve local wellbeing, strengthen local services, and contribute to long-term positive change.
Main Purpose of the Fund
The main purpose of the fund is to support local groups that are working for the benefit of people in South East Cornwall.
The fund prioritises projects that have a meaningful and lasting impact rather than short-term or one-off benefits.
It is especially relevant for grassroots organisations, small community groups, and local initiatives that need modest grant funding to continue or expand their work.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The fund focuses on local community benefit and long-term impact.
Key focus areas include:
- Community development
- Local not-for-profit activities
- Charitable community projects
- Support for local people in South East Cornwall
- Long-term positive impact
- Food support and foodbank activities
- Youth and community groups
- Heritage and museum projects
- Voluntary sector initiatives
- Social enterprise activities with charitable aims
Grant Amount
Grants generally range from £500 to £2,000.
This funding is intended to support local community projects and not-for-profit activities that meet the eligibility requirements of the fund.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include local organisations operating in South East Cornwall.
Eligible groups may include:
- Local charities
- Community groups
- Voluntary organisations
- Social enterprises with charitable activities
- Foodbanks
- Scout groups
- Museums
- Other local not-for-profit community initiatives
Organisations do not need to be registered charities.
However, their work must be charitable in nature and must meet the fund’s eligibility requirements.
Who is Not Eligible?
The fund cannot support organisations or activities that fall outside its charitable and local community purpose.
Ineligible applicants or costs include:
- Commercial profit-making organisations
- Organisations with significant free reserves
- Statutory or public sector organisations
- Endowment contributions
- Deficit funding
- Loan repayments
- Grant-making organisations
- Retrospective grants
- Regional offices of national bodies that do not benefit local people
- Organisations whose beneficiaries are not people
- Projects promoting religious choices
- Projects promoting political causes
- Organisations with overdue monitoring reports
Eligible Project Location
Projects must benefit people in South East Cornwall.
Applicants should clearly show how their project serves local communities in this area.
Regional or national organisations may not be eligible unless the proposed activity directly benefits local people in South East Cornwall.
Project Start Date Requirement
Applicants should note that project start dates must not be before October 2026.
This means projects should be planned to begin in October 2026 or later.
Funding decisions are expected to be made in early October.
How the Fund Works
The fund provides small grants to local not-for-profit organisations that meet its eligibility criteria.
Applicants submit proposals for community projects that aim to create long-term positive impact.
The fund reviews eligible applications and makes funding decisions in early October.
Successful applicants can then use the grant to deliver approved project activities from October 2026 onwards.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm that their organisation operates in South East Cornwall and delivers charitable activities for the benefit of local people.
They should then check that the organisation is not excluded under the fund’s ineligible categories.
Applicants should prepare a clear project proposal explaining what the project will do, who will benefit, why the project is needed, and how it will create long-term impact.
The application should also include a realistic budget showing how the grant will be used.
Applicants must ensure that the project does not start before October 2026.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that your organisation is based in or benefits South East Cornwall.
- Check that your activities are charitable in nature.
- Make sure your organisation is not a commercial profit-making body, statutory body, or other excluded applicant type.
- Define the local community need your project will address.
- Explain how the project will create long-term positive impact.
- Prepare a budget between £500 and £2,000, where appropriate.
- Confirm that the project start date is not before October 2026.
- Check that you have no overdue monitoring reports from previous funding.
- Submit the application before the relevant deadline or review date.
Why It Matters
Small local grants can make a significant difference for grassroots organisations and community projects.
In South East Cornwall, local groups such as foodbanks, scout groups, museums, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises often provide essential support to communities.
The Carew Pole Grant Fund helps these groups continue meaningful work, respond to local needs, and build stronger community outcomes over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting projects that do not clearly benefit people in South East Cornwall.
Organisations should not apply if their project starts before October 2026.
Applicants should avoid requesting funding for retrospective costs, loan repayments, deficit funding, or endowment contributions.
Commercial profit-making organisations and statutory bodies should not apply.
Regional branches of national organisations should clearly demonstrate direct local benefit, otherwise they may not be eligible.
Applicants should also ensure that any previous monitoring reports have been submitted before applying again.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly explain the local need being addressed.
Applicants should show how the project will benefit people in South East Cornwall.
The proposal should focus on long-term positive impact rather than only short-term activity.
The budget should be realistic and clearly linked to the project activities.
Organisations should highlight their community role, local partnerships, and ability to deliver the project effectively.
Applicants should also make sure the project timeline aligns with the October 2026 start date rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Carew Pole Grant Fund?
The Carew Pole Grant Fund supports local not-for-profit groups and community projects in South East Cornwall that aim to create long-term positive impact.
2. How much funding is available per grant?
Grants generally range from £500 to £2,000.
3. Who can apply?
Local charities, community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises with charitable activities, foodbanks, scout groups, museums, and other local not-for-profit groups may apply.
4. Do applicants need to be registered charities?
No. Organisations do not need to be registered charities, but their activities must be charitable and must meet the fund’s eligibility requirements.
5. What types of organisations are not eligible?
Commercial profit-making organisations, statutory or public sector organisations, grant-making organisations, organisations with significant free reserves, and organisations with overdue monitoring reports are not eligible.
6. Can the fund support retrospective costs?
No. The fund cannot support retrospective grants or costs that have already been incurred.
7. When can projects start?
Project start dates must not be before October 2026. Funding decisions are expected in early October.
Conclusion
The Carew Pole Grant Fund provides small but important grants for local not-for-profit groups and community projects in South East Cornwall.
With grants generally ranging from £500 to £2,000, the fund supports charitable activities that benefit local people and create long-term positive impact.
Applicants should ensure their organisation is eligible, their project benefits South East Cornwall, their costs are allowable, and their project does not start before October 2026.
For more information, visit Cornwall Community Foundation.
