Call for Applications: Better Futures Fund (United Kingdom)

The Better Futures Fund is accepting applications from eligible community organisations in the Bristol Water service area to support projects that improve health, education, the environment, and community wellbeing. Backed by the Pennon Group, the fund provides financial support for eligible project costs, including equipment, training, staff time, and professional services, with applications open until December 2026.

Better Futures Fund 2026: Funding Opportunity for Community Projects in the Bristol Water Service Area

The Better Futures Fund is now open for applications, offering financial support to community organisations delivering projects that create lasting social and environmental benefits within the Bristol Water service area. The initiative forms part of the Pennon Group’s wider commitment to building stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.

The fund supports a broad range of local initiatives, from environmental conservation and community development to education, physical activity, and wellbeing projects. It also complements Pennon’s wider programme of assistance for vulnerable customers and households experiencing financial hardship.

Applications will remain open until December 2026, giving eligible organisations multiple opportunities to seek funding for impactful community projects.

What Is the Better Futures Fund?

The Better Futures Fund is a community grant programme established by the Pennon Group, the parent company of Bristol Water, to invest in projects that improve quality of life across local communities.

The fund is designed to help charities, schools, community groups, and other not-for-profit organisations deliver projects that generate positive social, environmental, educational, and health outcomes.

Rather than supporting commercial activities, the programme focuses on strengthening communities, protecting the environment, improving wellbeing, and supporting vulnerable people through locally led initiatives.

About the Fund

The Better Futures Fund provides financial support for projects that contribute to stronger and more sustainable communities throughout the Bristol Water supply area.

The programme recognises that local organisations are often best placed to identify community needs and deliver practical solutions. By investing in grassroots initiatives, the fund aims to create long-term benefits for residents while encouraging community participation and environmental responsibility.

The initiative supports projects across several priority themes, including education, health, physical activity, environmental improvement, and support for vulnerable people.

Funding Information

The Better Futures Fund forms part of a significant community investment programme across the Pennon Group.

Community Funding

£2.5 million has been allocated to support community groups working in:
- Physical activity
- Education
- Health and wellbeing
- Positive environmental initiatives

Bristol Water Community Allocation

For customers within the Bristol Water service area:

£564,000 has been allocated over a five-year period for eligible community projects.

Additional Hardship Support

An additional:

£2.5 million

has been committed to programmes that help vulnerable customers and households experiencing financial hardship across the wider Pennon Group.

Application Period

Applications are currently open and will continue to be accepted until December 2026.

Objectives of the Better Futures Fund

The fund aims to strengthen local communities by supporting projects that create meaningful and lasting benefits.

Its objectives include:

Improve community wellbeing.
Increase participation in physical activity.
Support education and lifelong learning.
Promote environmental sustainability.
Protect nature and biodiversity.
Strengthen community organisations.
Support vulnerable individuals and families.
Build local skills and capacity.
Encourage community collaboration.
Improve local quality of life.

Key Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following priority areas:

Physical activity
Education
Health and wellbeing
Nature conservation
Environmental improvement
Community development
Support for vulnerable people
Skills development
Training opportunities
Sustainable community initiatives
Green spaces
Biodiversity
Local engagement
Community resilience

Why This Fund Matters

The Better Futures Fund invests directly in local organisations that understand the needs of their communities.

Supporting Healthier Communities

Funding helps organisations deliver activities that improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Investing in Education

Schools and community organisations can develop learning opportunities that benefit children, young people, and adults.

Protecting the Environment

The fund supports projects that improve biodiversity, protect natural habitats, and encourage environmental stewardship.

Building Stronger Community Networks

Funding enables local organisations to strengthen partnerships, increase volunteer participation, and create more inclusive communities.

Helping Vulnerable People

The programme complements wider initiatives that provide support for individuals and families facing social or financial challenges.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to organisations located within the Bristol Water service area.

Eligible applicants include:

Schools
Colleges
Academies
Registered charities
Not-for-profit organisations
Community Interest Companies (CICs)
Constituted community groups
Community clubs
Cricket clubs
Allotment groups
Scout groups
Garden clubs
Other eligible local community organisations

Applicants must operate within the Bristol Water supply area.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The fund does not support applications from:

Individuals under 18 years of age.
Individual applicants.
Commercial businesses operating for profit.
Organisations located outside the Bristol Water service area.
Projects requiring additional funding where the Better Futures Fund is not the primary funder.
Retrospective costs already incurred.
Projects with political purposes.
Projects with religious purposes.
Applications that were unsuccessful in the same financial year.

Eligible Project Costs

Grant funding may be used for a variety of project-related expenses.

Eligible costs include:

Equipment

Equipment hire
Equipment purchase

Staff Costs

Employee salaries directly related to delivering the funded project

Training

Skills development
Volunteer training
Professional training

Professional Services

Funding may cover professional fees for services such as:

Builders
Groundworkers
Interpretation design agencies
Other specialist contractors directly supporting the project

What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?

Examples of eligible projects include:

Community environmental initiatives
Tree planting and habitat restoration
Community gardens
Outdoor learning spaces
School wellbeing programmes
Sports and physical activity initiatives
Nature conservation projects
Community education programmes
Youth engagement activities
Projects supporting vulnerable residents
Local volunteer programmes
Biodiversity improvement projects

Projects should clearly demonstrate community benefit and align with one or more of the programme’s priority themes.

How the Better Futures Fund Works

The application process follows several stages.

Step 1: Review the Fund Guidelines

Applicants should carefully read the eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and application requirements.

Step 2: Develop Your Project

Design a project that addresses one or more of the eligible focus areas and demonstrates clear community impact.

Step 3: Prepare a Project Budget

Include a detailed breakdown of eligible costs such as equipment, staffing, training, or professional services.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Complete the application form and provide all required supporting information before the programme closes in December 2026.

Step 5: Assessment

Applications are reviewed to ensure they meet eligibility requirements, demonstrate community value, and align with the objectives of the Better Futures Fund.

Step 6: Project Delivery

Successful organisations receive funding and implement their approved projects within the agreed timeframe.

How to Apply

Eligible organisations should follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organisation is based within the Bristol Water service area and meets all eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Check Your Project

Confirm that your project addresses at least one eligible priority area such as education, community, vulnerability, or nature and the environment.

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Information

Develop:

Project description
Objectives
Timeline
Budget
Expected community outcomes

Step 4: Complete the Application

Submit the completed application with all required documentation before December 2026.

Step 5: Await the Funding Decision

Eligible applications will be assessed, and successful applicants will be notified according to the programme’s review process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid these common errors:

Applying from outside the Bristol Water service area.
Applying as an individual.
Requesting funding for retrospective costs.
Submitting incomplete budgets.
Proposing projects with political or religious objectives.
Applying for projects where Better Futures Fund is not the primary source of funding.
Failing to demonstrate community benefit.
Reapplying for a previously unsuccessful project within the same financial year.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

Clearly explain the community need your project addresses.
Demonstrate measurable social or environmental impact.
Provide a realistic and detailed budget.
Show how local people will benefit.
Include evidence of community support where possible.
Explain how the project will continue beyond the grant period.
Align your proposal closely with the fund’s priority themes.
Highlight partnerships with other local organisations if relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Better Futures Fund?

The Better Futures Fund is a community grant programme established by the Pennon Group to support projects that improve health, education, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing within the Bristol Water service area.

2. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include schools, colleges, academies, registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), constituted groups, clubs, and other not-for-profit community organisations located within the Bristol Water service area.

3. What types of projects are eligible?

Projects focusing on education, physical activity, community development, health and wellbeing, nature conservation, environmental improvement, and support for vulnerable people are eligible.

4. What can the funding be used for?

Funding may cover equipment hire and purchase, employee salaries related to the project, skills and training, and professional fees such as builders, groundworkers, and interpretation design agencies.

5. Who cannot apply?

Individuals, organisations outside the Bristol Water service area, commercial businesses operating for profit, applicants under 18 years of age, and projects with political or religious purposes are not eligible.

6. When is the application deadline?

Applications will remain open until December 2026.

7. What makes a strong application?

Successful applications clearly demonstrate community benefit, align with one or more of the fund’s priority areas, present a realistic budget, and show how the project will create lasting positive impacts for local communities.

Conclusion

The Better Futures Fund 2026 provides a valuable opportunity for community organisations across the Bristol Water service area to access funding for projects that strengthen communities, improve wellbeing, support education, and protect the environment. Through significant investment from the Pennon Group, the programme empowers local organisations to deliver practical initiatives that create long-term social and environmental benefits.

With funding available until December 2026, eligible schools, charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to develop well-planned projects that address local needs, promote sustainability, and contribute to stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.