Open Call: Buckinghamshire Community Fund (United Kingdom)

The Buckinghamshire Community Fund provides grants of up to £30,000 to charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations delivering services across Buckinghamshire. Funding supports project costs, core operating costs, and capital expenses, with priority given to organisations addressing homelessness, financial hardship, disabilities, and mental health and wellbeing.

Buckinghamshire Community Fund for Charities and Community Organisations

What is the Buckinghamshire Community Fund?

The Buckinghamshire Community Fund provides financial support to strengthen the capacity and long-term sustainability of charities, voluntary organisations, and community groups delivering essential services across Buckinghamshire.

The fund supports organisations that address pressing social challenges while encouraging collaboration, community impact, and improved service delivery. Funding is available for projects, day-to-day operations, and capital improvements that benefit local communities.

Programme Objectives

The fund aims to:

• Strengthen the capacity of community organisations.
• Improve services for vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
• Support long-term organisational sustainability.
• Encourage partnership working across the voluntary sector.
• Address key social welfare challenges in Buckinghamshire.
• Improve community wellbeing and inclusion.

Priority Areas

The Buckinghamshire Community Fund prioritises organisations working in the following areas.

Homelessness

Projects may support:

• Homelessness prevention
• Emergency accommodation
• Housing advice
• Resettlement services
• Support for people experiencing homelessness

Financial Hardship

Eligible activities include:

• Poverty reduction initiatives
• Food support programmes
• Financial advice services
• Debt management support
• Cost-of-living assistance

Physical and Learning Disabilities

Funding supports projects that:

• Improve accessibility
• Promote inclusion
• Deliver specialist services
• Enhance independence
• Support carers and families

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Projects may include:

• Mental health support services
• Counselling programmes
• Wellbeing initiatives
• Community support groups
• Early intervention services

Funding Information

Grant Amount

Applicants may request:

• Up to £30,000

Funding Duration

Grants are available for:

• Up to three years

Annual Funding Limit

Maximum funding available:

• £10,000 per year

Eligible Costs

Funding may be used for:

• Project costs
• Core operating costs
• Staff salaries
• Programme delivery
• Equipment
• Capital costs
• Organisational development

Capital Funding

Where funding is requested solely for capital costs, the Foundation generally prefers not to be the only funder and encourages applicants to secure additional financial support.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organisations with an annual income below £1 million.

Applicants may include:

• Registered charities
• Community organisations
• Voluntary organisations
• Constituted community groups
• Societies
• Sports clubs
• Charitable organisations

Organisation Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Deliver services in Buckinghamshire.
• Have an annual income of less than £1 million.
• Demonstrate clear community need and demand.
• Show evidence of collaboration where appropriate.
• Hold a bank account in the organisation’s name.
• Provide a governing document or constitution.

Organisations Based Outside Buckinghamshire

Organisations located outside Buckinghamshire may still apply if they can demonstrate that:

• At least 60% of their operations are based in Buckinghamshire, measured through expenditure, beneficiaries, or staff.
• They have established partnerships with local organisations.

Grant Duration by Organisation Type

Registered Organisations

Organisations registered with:

• Charity Commission
• Companies House

may apply for grants of up to three years.

Constituted Community Groups

Groups that are formally constituted but not registered with a regulator may apply for:

• One-year grants.

Alternative Funding for Small Grants

Community groups and newly established charitable organisations seeking grants of £5,000 or less are encouraged to apply through the Rothschild Foundation’s Grassroots Grants Fund, administered by Heart of Bucks.

Why This Fund Matters

Strong local organisations are essential for supporting vulnerable communities.

This fund helps organisations:

• Deliver essential community services.
• Improve organisational resilience.
• Expand support for vulnerable residents.
• Address local social challenges.
• Build stronger partnerships.
• Create lasting community impact.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organisation:

• Is not-for-profit.
• Meets the income threshold.
• Delivers services in Buckinghamshire.

Step 2: Define Community Need

Clearly demonstrate:

• The issue being addressed.
• Evidence of demand.
• Expected community impact.

Step 3: Prepare Your Budget

Explain how grant funding will support:

• Project activities
• Core operations
• Capital improvements

Step 4: Gather Supporting Documents

Prepare:

• Governing document or constitution
• Financial information
• Organisational details
• Bank account information
• Partnership information (if applicable)

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete and submit the application with all required supporting documentation before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

• Clearly demonstrate local need.
• Show measurable community impact.
• Explain organisational sustainability.
• Highlight collaborative partnerships.
• Present a realistic and transparent budget.
• Demonstrate strong governance.
• Align your proposal with the fund’s priority areas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
• Providing insufficient evidence of community need.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Requesting unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to explain how funding will improve outcomes.
• Applying for capital-only funding without additional funders where appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Buckinghamshire Community Fund?

It is a grant programme that supports charities, voluntary organisations, and community groups delivering services that improve the lives of people across Buckinghamshire.

2. How much funding is available?

Applicants may receive up to £30,000 over a period of up to three years, with a maximum of £10,000 per year.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include registered charities, community organisations, voluntary groups, societies, sports clubs, and other not-for-profit organisations with an annual income below £1 million.

4. What can the funding be used for?

Funding may support project costs, core operating costs, staff, equipment, organisational development, and capital expenses.

5. Can organisations outside Buckinghamshire apply?

Yes. Organisations outside the county may apply if at least 60% of their operations benefit Buckinghamshire and they have established local partnerships.

6. Are community groups eligible?

Yes. Formally constituted community groups, societies, and sports clubs may apply for one-year grants.

7. What types of work does the fund prioritise?

Priority is given to organisations working in homelessness, financial hardship, physical and learning disabilities, and mental health and wellbeing.

Conclusion

The Buckinghamshire Community Fund provides flexible grants of up to £30,000 to strengthen charities and community organisations delivering vital services across Buckinghamshire. By supporting core costs, project delivery, and capital investment, the fund helps organisations address homelessness, poverty, disability, and mental health challenges while building stronger, more resilient communities through long-term sustainable support.