Portsmouth City Community Fund Supporting Community Wellbeing (UK)

Deadline: 20-Apr-2026

The Portsmouth City Community Fund 2026 provides £1,000 to £5,000 in grants for nonprofit organisations delivering projects that reduce poverty and improve health and wellbeing in Portsmouth. The fund supports initiatives for people facing hardship, including mental health challenges, disabilities, and long-term health conditions.

The programme prioritizes community co-design, ensuring local residents are involved in shaping projects. It funds both new and existing initiatives delivered over 12 months, with a strong focus on measurable community impact and poverty reduction.

Overview

The Portsmouth City Community Fund 2026 supports nonprofit organisations working to improve the lives of Portsmouth residents.

It focuses on addressing poverty, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting individuals experiencing challenging life circumstances.

The programme encourages community-led design, ensuring that local people play an active role in shaping the services they receive.

Key Objectives of the Programme

The fund aims to:

• Reduce poverty among Portsmouth residents
• Improve physical and mental health outcomes
• Support people living with hardship or disadvantage
• Strengthen community participation and co-design
• Improve access to essential services and resources
• Support inclusive services for people with disabilities and long-term conditions
• Encourage projects for people with learning disabilities

Funding Details

• Grant size: £1,000 to £5,000
• Duration: Up to 12 months
• Geographic focus: Portsmouth and nearby areas
• Eligible applicants: Nonprofit community organisations

The funding can be used for both new and existing projects that directly benefit local residents.

Priority Groups

The programme prioritizes support for:

• Individuals experiencing poverty or financial hardship
• People with mental health conditions
• People with physical disabilities or long-term health conditions
• Residents facing social exclusion or multiple disadvantages
• People with learning disabilities
• Vulnerable individuals across all age groups

Eligible Activities

The fund supports both one-to-one and group-based interventions.

Health and Wellbeing Support

• Mental health counselling and support services
• Physical health and wellbeing programmes
• Activities promoting healthy lifestyles

Poverty Reduction Activities

• Food support and food growing initiatives
• Access to advice services (benefits, debt, housing)
• Financial inclusion support

Community Engagement and Inclusion

• Group wellbeing activities
• Social inclusion programmes
• Community-led support initiatives
• Peer support networks

Targeted Support Services

• Services for people with disabilities
• Activities for people with learning disabilities
• Tailored support for high-need individuals

Key Requirements for Applicants

To be eligible, organisations must:

• Be nonprofit organisations
• Be based in and working within Portsmouth (and nearby areas)
• Deliver direct services to local residents
• Clearly define target groups
• Demonstrate meaningful community involvement in project design

Community Co-Design Requirement

A core requirement of the fund is active involvement of local people.

Applicants must demonstrate how the target community has shaped the project through:

• Consultation and feedback
• Volunteering roles
• Leadership or advisory participation
• Co-design of services and activities

This ensures that funded projects are community-led and responsive to real needs.

Funding Usage Rules

The grant can be used for:

• Staff costs linked to project delivery
• Volunteer expenses and coordination
• Activity and service delivery costs
• Proportionate core organisational overheads

Additional Conditions

• Foodbanks and pantries are eligible only if combined with advice or support services
• The grant should represent more than one-third of the total project budget

Ineligible or Restricted Approaches

The fund is less likely to support:

• Projects without clear community involvement
• Activities not linked to poverty or wellbeing outcomes
• Standalone food provision without additional support services
• Poorly defined target groups
• Projects with minimal local impact

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Define the Target Group

Applicants identify residents experiencing hardship or disadvantage in Portsmouth.

Step 2: Co-Design the Project

Organisations work with local people to shape project design and delivery.

Step 3: Develop the Proposal

Applications include:

• Clear project objectives
• Target group definition
• Delivery model (one-to-one or group-based)
• Evidence of community involvement
• Budget breakdown

Step 4: Submit Application

Proposals are submitted for evaluation.

Step 5: Assessment Process

Applications are assessed based on:

• Impact on poverty reduction
• Improvement in health and wellbeing
• Strength of community co-design
• Relevance to target groups
• Feasibility and delivery capacity
• Value for money and budget proportion

Step 6: Funding Decision

Successful applicants receive £1,000 to £5,000 for 12-month projects.

Key Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

• Clear poverty or wellbeing impact
• Strong community involvement in project design
• Relevance to disadvantaged or vulnerable groups
• Measurable outcomes for participants
• Strong delivery capacity and local knowledge
• Proportionate and justified budget use

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to involve community members in project design
• Not clearly defining target beneficiaries
• Submitting projects with weak poverty or wellbeing outcomes
• Offering standalone food provision without support services
• Poorly justified budgets or unclear cost breakdowns
• Lack of measurable impact indicators

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly define the specific hardship your project addresses
• Show strong evidence of community consultation or co-design
• Link activities directly to measurable wellbeing outcomes
• Combine service delivery with advice or support components
• Ensure your budget shows strong value and clear allocation
• Focus on sustainable, locally relevant interventions

Why the Portsmouth City Community Fund Matters

This programme strengthens local communities by:

• Reducing poverty and financial insecurity
• Improving mental and physical health outcomes
• Supporting vulnerable and marginalized groups
• Embedding community voice in service design
• Strengthening local nonprofit capacity
• Encouraging inclusive and accessible support systems

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the funding amount available?

The fund provides £1,000 to £5,000 per project over 12 months.

2. Who can apply?

Nonprofit organisations based in and working within Portsmouth and nearby areas.

3. Who benefits from the projects?

Residents experiencing poverty, health challenges, disabilities, or social disadvantage.

4. Is community involvement required?

Yes, projects must show clear evidence of community co-design or participation.

5. Can foodbanks apply?

Yes, but they must include additional support services such as advice provision.

6. Can funding be used for staff costs?

Yes, including staff, volunteers, activities, and proportionate overheads.

7. What percentage of project funding must this grant cover?

The grant must represent more than one-third of the total project budget.

Conclusion

The Portsmouth City Community Fund 2026 supports nonprofit organisations delivering community-led projects that reduce poverty and improve health and wellbeing. By requiring strong local involvement and focusing on measurable outcomes, the programme ensures funding is directed toward impactful, co-designed initiatives that directly benefit vulnerable residents in Portsmouth.

For more information, visit HIWCF.