Deadline: 26-May-23
The Somerset Community Foundation is inviting applications for the Somerset Fund is here to support the places, spaces, events and activities that bring your whole community together.
Means you can ask them for money from The Somerset Fund if you work or volunteer for a group that runs a:
- Village hall or community centre
- Park, play area or green space
- Sports club
- Community shop
- Art, culture, or heritage group
- Community transport scheme
- Whatever you ask them for, it must connect people in your community so that they have:
- A range of different activities taking place that reflect local needs
- An opportunity to discover what they have in common with others.
- They are keen that people from across your community can take part in the things they fund. They are also keen that the people who a make decisions in your group represent the community they serve.
Funding Information
- You can ask for a grant of between £250 and £2,500 from The Somerset Fund. Most grants are for about £1,500.
- They have around £100,000 in total to give out this year.
- You can use this money for whatever you want if:
- It is within your charitable objects or stated purpose, and
- You can use it to bring your whole community together
- This can include essential running costs like rent, utilities, insurance, or staff time. You might call these your core costs. You can also use the money for the costs of delivering a project or service in or for your community.
Eligibility Criteria
- You can only apply if you work or volunteer for a group that:
- Is based in Somerset (but not BANES or North Somerset)
- Is run by a committee or board of at least 3 unrelated people
- Has a governing document or set of rules
- Runs on less than £100,000 per year
- Has an appropriate level of free reserves. If this is more than 12 months running costs, then you should have a policy explaining why
- Has a safeguarding policy that meets their expectations
- Has a bank account in its name, which requires at least two unrelated signatories.
- They welcome applications from groups that exist to support people in their local community.
- They can award money to groups that are not registered charities, but the purpose of the funding must be charitable. This means they can give a grant to:
- Community groups
- Registered charities
- Community amateur sports clubs
- Community interest companies (CIC) limited by guarantee that have a clear asset lock benefitting local communities
- Companies limited by guarantee that are not-for-profit with all surpluses re-invested back into the organisation
- Faith organisations, but not for the promotion of religion
- Community benefit societies
- Local statutory organisations, like parish councils or schools.
For more information, visit Somerset Community Foundation.