Submit Applications for Priority Grants (United Kingdom)

The Berkshire Community Foundation Priority Grants Round provides funding of up to £10,000 to support charities and community groups addressing disadvantage and inequality across Berkshire. The grants focus on safety and protection, homelessness, and basic needs, including domestic abuse support, poverty relief, and emergency assistance. Eligible not-for-profit organisations must demonstrate local need, strong governance, and measurable community impact.

What is the Berkshire Community Foundation Priority Grants Round?

The Priority Grants Round is a funding program managed by the Berkshire Community Foundation that supports local voluntary and community organisations working to reduce inequality and improve wellbeing.

It aims to:

• Address disadvantage and social exclusion
• Strengthen community safety and protection services
• Support people facing homelessness and poverty
• Improve access to essential needs and crisis support

The funding is specifically targeted at organisations delivering direct impact within Berkshire, United Kingdom.

Key Priority Themes

Safety and Protection

This theme supports services that protect vulnerable individuals and communities, including:

• Domestic abuse support services
• Violence prevention and safeguarding
• Sexual exploitation prevention
• Trauma-informed care and crisis intervention
• Safe accommodation and advocacy services
• Early intervention, prevention, and education programs

Homelessness and Basic Needs

This theme focuses on immediate and long-term support for people in hardship, including:

• Homelessness prevention and response services
• Support for people at risk of losing housing
• Poverty reduction and financial resilience programs
• Access to food banks and essential goods
• Emergency relief support services
• Assistance for families facing multiple disadvantages
• Child and youth poverty support initiatives

Key Objectives of the Grants

The program prioritises projects that:

• Demonstrate clear local need
• Address severe disadvantage or inequality
• Deliver measurable and meaningful outcomes
• Provide direct support to communities in Berkshire
• Strengthen long-term resilience and wellbeing

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: Up to £10,000
• Funding type: Project-based grants
• Focus: Local impact and priority needs

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered charities
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) operating on a non-profit basis
• Constituted voluntary and community groups

Geographic Requirement

• Organisations must operate within Berkshire
• Projects must directly benefit people in Berkshire

Organisational Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have been operating for at least 12 months
• Provide recent financial records
• Demonstrate sound financial management
• Have a governing document and clear management structure
• Maintain safeguarding and equality & diversity policies (where relevant)

Who is NOT Eligible?

The fund does NOT support:

• Applications from individuals
• Retrospective funding (past expenses)
• Large capital infrastructure projects
• Political or religious campaigning activities
• Organisations outside Berkshire

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Alignment with priority themes
• Level of disadvantage being addressed
• Evidence of local need
• Expected outcomes and impact
• Organisational readiness and capacity
• Previous funding history with Berkshire Community Foundation
• Outstanding reporting or monitoring obligations

Required Application Information

Applicants must provide:

• Clear description of community need
• Defined project outcomes
• Itemised budget breakdown
• Supporting organisational documents
• Evidence of governance and financial stability

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Complete Eligibility Check

• Fill out the eligibility quiz before applying

Step 2: Prepare Documentation

Required documents include:

• Governing document
• Annual accounts
• Bank statements
• Relevant safeguarding and equality policies

Step 3: Submit Online Application

• Complete application form online
• Attach all required documents

Step 4: Assessment Review

• Applications are reviewed by the Grants Committee
• Projects are scored against priority criteria

Step 5: Funding Decision

• Decisions communicated in September
• Successful applicants receive grant confirmation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without meeting the 12-month operating requirement
• Weak evidence of local need
• Missing financial documents or governance policies
• Submitting incomplete budgets
• Requesting funding for retrospective costs
• Proposing capital-heavy projects outside scope

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate local impact in Berkshire
• Use data or evidence to support community need
• Align strongly with either Safety or Homelessness priorities
• Provide realistic and detailed budgets
• Show strong safeguarding and governance structures
• Focus on measurable outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum funding available?

Up to £10,000 per project.

2. Who can apply?

Registered charities, CIOs, CICs, and voluntary/community groups operating in Berkshire.

3. What are the main funding priorities?

Safety and protection, and homelessness and basic needs.

4. Can individuals apply?

No, only organisations are eligible.

5. Are capital projects allowed?

Large capital projects are not eligible.

6. What documents are required?

Governing documents, financial accounts, bank statements, and relevant policies.

7. When are decisions announced?

Funding decisions are communicated in September.

Conclusion

The Berkshire Community Foundation Priority Grants Round is a targeted funding initiative supporting organisations that address poverty, homelessness, safety risks, and social inequality across Berkshire. By providing up to £10,000 per project, it enables local charities and community groups to deliver impactful services that meet urgent community needs and improve long-term wellbeing.