Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Warwick and Dominey Fund provides grants of up to £15,000 to support non-profit organisations in Cambridgeshire delivering practical projects that reduce carbon emissions and advance climate action. The fund prioritises projects that replace fossil fuel-based systems with locally generated renewable energy solutions.
A total of £50,000 is available each year through this funding strand. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until available funds are exhausted, with support available for eligible project costs such as salaries, vehicle rental and capital items.
Fund Overview
The Warwick and Dominey Fund supports non-profit organisations in Cambridgeshire that are taking practical action on decarbonisation and climate change.
The fund is designed to help organisations reduce carbon emissions, improve environmental sustainability and move towards net zero.
It particularly supports projects that replace fossil fuel-based systems with renewable energy installations.
Main Objective
The main objective of the fund is to support local climate action and carbon reduction in Cambridgeshire.
The fund aims to:
- Support decarbonisation projects
- Tackle climate change at the community level
- Replace fossil fuel-based systems with renewable energy
- Support locally generated renewable energy installations
- Help new buildings use local renewable energy
- Encourage match-funded climate projects
- Support organisational sustainability strategies
- Help organisations take practical steps towards net zero
Key Focus Areas
The fund focuses on practical environmental and renewable energy projects.
Key focus areas include:
- Decarbonisation
- Climate change action
- Renewable energy
- Solar power
- Locally generated energy
- Net zero planning
- Fossil fuel replacement
- Sustainable community buildings
- Energy efficiency
- Organisational sustainability
- Match-funded climate projects
- Community environmental action
Funding Available
The fund provides grants of up to £15,000 per project.
A total of £50,000 is available each year through this funding strand.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the available funds are fully allocated.
What the Fund Supports
The Warwick and Dominey Fund supports practical projects that reduce carbon emissions and help organisations become more sustainable.
Supported projects may include:
- Renewable energy installations
- Solar panel installations
- Replacement of fossil fuel-based systems
- Renewable energy systems for community buildings
- Locally generated energy systems for new buildings
- Projects supporting net zero strategies
- Match-funded sustainability projects
- Capital improvements linked to climate action
Renewable Energy and Fossil Fuel Replacement
The fund particularly supports projects that replace existing fossil fuel-based systems with renewable energy solutions.
This may include projects that reduce reliance on oil, gas or other fossil fuels and shift towards locally generated renewable energy.
Applicants should clearly explain how the project will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to long-term sustainability.
Support for New Buildings
Applications for new buildings may be considered where the building incorporates locally generated renewable energy systems.
Applicants should show how the proposed energy system will contribute to decarbonisation and reduce future energy-related emissions.
Match-Funded Projects
The fund welcomes match-funded projects.
This means organisations may combine Warwick and Dominey Fund support with other funding sources.
Applicants should explain whether additional funding has already been secured or is being sought.
Connection to Net Zero Goals
Applicants are encouraged to show how their project fits within wider sustainability aims and strategies.
A strong application should explain:
- The organisation’s climate action goals
- Specific steps towards net zero
- How the project reduces emissions
- How the project supports long-term sustainability
- How the investment fits into a broader environmental plan
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include non-profit organisations delivering projects within Cambridgeshire.
Eligible organisations may include:
- Registered charities
- Charitable incorporated organisations
- Community interest companies
- Social enterprises
- Companies limited by guarantee
- Community groups
- Parish councils
- Town councils
- Schools
- Eligible sports clubs
Applicants must deliver projects within Cambridgeshire.
Eligible Project Costs
The fund may support a range of project-related costs.
Eligible costs may include:
- Project-related salaries
- Vehicle rental
- Capital items
- Renewable energy equipment
- Installation-related costs
- Practical project delivery costs
Applicants should ensure that all requested costs are directly connected to the proposed decarbonisation or climate action project.
What the Fund Does Not Support
The fund does not support:
- Activities already completed
- Fundraising events
- Debt or loans
- Political activities
- Overseas travel
- Statutory obligations
- Projects that promote religious activities
- Projects that exclude wider community participation
Applicants should ensure that their proposal is community-focused, practical and eligible before applying.
Examples of Previously Supported Projects
Previous supported projects include:
- Solar panel installations for sustainable community buildings
- Renewable energy systems for accessible community spaces
- Solar PV systems for local community hubs
These examples show the fund’s interest in practical renewable energy projects that reduce emissions and benefit local communities.
Why This Fund Matters
Community organisations often want to reduce emissions but may lack the funds to install renewable energy systems or replace fossil fuel-based infrastructure.
The Warwick and Dominey Fund matters because it helps local non-profits take practical steps towards climate action.
By supporting renewable energy and decarbonisation projects, the fund helps reduce carbon emissions while improving the long-term sustainability of community buildings and services.
Expected Results
Supported projects are expected to contribute to local climate action in Cambridgeshire.
Expected results may include:
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Increased use of renewable energy
- Lower reliance on fossil fuels
- More sustainable community buildings
- Progress towards net zero goals
- Stronger organisational sustainability planning
- Improved community climate resilience
- Better long-term energy sustainability for local services
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the project, the climate benefit, the budget and the wider sustainability context.
Step 1: Confirm Organisational Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that they are an eligible non-profit organisation delivering a project in Cambridgeshire.
Eligible groups may include charities, community groups, councils, schools, social enterprises and eligible sports clubs.
Step 2: Define the Climate Action Project
The application should clearly describe the project and how it contributes to decarbonisation or climate change action.
Applicants should explain whether the project involves renewable energy, fossil fuel replacement, energy improvement or sustainability planning.
Step 3: Show Carbon Reduction Benefits
Applicants should explain how the project will reduce emissions.
This may include replacing fossil fuel-based systems, installing renewable energy or enabling a building to use locally generated renewable energy.
Step 4: Connect the Project to Net Zero Plans
Applicants should show how the project fits into the organisation’s wider sustainability strategy.
This should include specific steps towards net zero where possible.
Step 5: Prepare a Realistic Budget
Applicants may request up to £15,000.
The budget should clearly identify eligible costs such as capital items, project-related salaries or vehicle rental.
Step 6: Explain Match Funding
If the project is match-funded, applicants should explain what other funding has been secured or requested.
This can strengthen the case for project readiness and sustainability.
Step 7: Demonstrate Community Benefit
The proposal should explain who will benefit from the project and how the project supports the local community.
Projects that exclude community participation are not eligible.
Step 8: Submit Early
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
Applicants should submit as early as possible once they have a complete and eligible proposal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying for a project outside Cambridgeshire
- Requesting more than £15,000
- Applying after the project has already been completed
- Failing to show clear carbon reduction benefits
- Not connecting the project to wider sustainability plans
- Submitting a vague renewable energy proposal
- Including ineligible costs such as debt, loans or fundraising events
- Applying for statutory obligations
- Proposing activities that exclude community participation
- Not explaining match funding where relevant
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly describe the climate action project
- Show practical decarbonisation benefits
- Explain how fossil fuel use will be reduced or replaced
- Demonstrate local community benefit
- Include a realistic and eligible budget
- Connect the project to net zero goals
- Highlight any match funding
- Show organisational commitment to sustainability
- Provide clear project timelines and outputs
- Explain long-term environmental benefits
FAQ
1. What is the Warwick and Dominey Fund?
The Warwick and Dominey Fund provides grants to non-profit organisations in Cambridgeshire for practical decarbonisation and climate change action projects.
2. How much funding is available per project?
Grants of up to £15,000 are available per project.
3. What is the total annual funding available?
A total of £50,000 is available each year through this funding strand.
4. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, social enterprises, companies limited by guarantee, community groups, parish and town councils, schools and eligible sports clubs delivering projects in Cambridgeshire.
5. What types of projects are supported?
The fund supports practical projects that reduce carbon emissions, especially renewable energy installations and projects replacing fossil fuel-based systems.
6. Are new building projects eligible?
Yes. Applications for new buildings may be considered if they include locally generated renewable energy systems.
7. What costs are not supported?
The fund does not support completed activities, fundraising events, debt or loans, political activities, overseas travel, statutory obligations, religious promotion or projects that exclude community participation.
Conclusion
The Warwick and Dominey Fund supports practical climate action by helping non-profit organisations in Cambridgeshire reduce carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy.
With grants of up to £15,000 and £50,000 available each year, the fund is well suited to community-focused decarbonisation projects, fossil fuel replacement, solar energy installations and net zero planning.
Applicants should prepare clear proposals that demonstrate local benefit, carbon reduction, renewable energy use, eligible costs and strong alignment with wider sustainability goals.
For more information, visit Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.
