About
Somerset Community Foundation is a community foundation that works to build stronger communities in Somerset where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Since 2002, the foundation has awarded over £35 million in funding to thousands of charities, community groups, individuals, and social enterprises. They work in partnership with individuals, businesses, charitable trusts, and the public sector to inspire local giving and philanthropy, funding local causes and supporting community development across Somerset.
Funding Opportunities
SWEF Enterprise Fund - Start-Up Grant
The SWEF Enterprise Fund - Start-Up Grants help young entrepreneurs in Somerset, BANES and North Somerset take their pre-revenue stage businesses forward. The grant provides up to £500 for essential items that can help take a start-up business to the next level, including essential equipment or materials, website building, product development, and training. Applicants must be aged 18-30, live in the eligible geographic area, and be planning to start a business within the next couple of months or have made a few initial sales. Applications based solely on business ideas won't be considered; applicants need to show they have taken concrete steps to get their business off the ground by putting time, energy, and thought into it. Market research, sales and cost projections all help strengthen applications. The fund operates year-round with monthly decisions, and successful applicants may be invited to an online meeting to discuss their business with the Somerset Community Foundation team and SWEF representatives.
SWEF Enterprise Fund - Established Business Grant
The SWEF Enterprise Fund – Established Business Grants are designed for young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 in Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), and North Somerset whose businesses have already started trading and are less than 2 years old. The fund provides grants of up to £2,000 to support business growth and development. This funding can be used for expanding product lines or services, upgrading equipment, or other business needs that will help increase revenues. Eligible expenditures include equipment for second revenue streams or increased production, materials/stock for new product lines, prototypes, website/booking system builds, training, and product development. The fund operates on a rolling basis with monthly decision-making, making it accessible year-round for qualifying young business owners who have already made sales from their business.
Training and Employment Support Grants
The Training and Employment Support Grants program provides financial assistance to young people aged 16-30 in Somerset, BANES and North Somerset to help with the costs associated with training programmes, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities. This grant can be used to pay for course costs, purchase essential equipment such as laptops, tools or clothing, and cover transport costs related to recognised educational or training courses (excluding higher education) or apprenticeships. The program is particularly aimed at supporting individuals entering or currently in training, apprenticeships, or starting work after unemployment. Applications for driving lessons will only be considered if driving is a job requirement linked to a specific employment opportunity. The fund has approximately £20,000 available annually and typically supports 2 out of every 3 applications received. Priority is given to applicants with clear financial need, such as those living in low-income households, or those experiencing other challenges to accessing training and employment, such as having a disability. Decisions are made monthly, with applications assessed by the Somerset Community Foundation team and reviewed by a panel including representatives from SWEF and SCF.
Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation
Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation provides grants to young people aged 11-24 in the former Borough of Taunton Deane area to support their educational and career development. The Foundation helps young people achieve their goals by funding books, specialist equipment, tools and clothing for apprenticeships, course fees not eligible for student loans, costs for sports progression and competitions, equipment for pursuing recognized talents, and expedition costs. The Foundation is closely linked to Bishop Fox's School, which dates back to 1522, and uses income from investments made when the old school buildings were sold in 1940. Grants are awarded based on financial need and the applicant's connection to the Taunton Deane area, with priority given to current residents attending state-funded schools or colleges. The Foundation aims to support accredited education and training routes, including higher education, music and other arts, sports, apprenticeships, employment, and widening participation in different academic subjects and educational activities.
Wessex Water Foundation Environment Fund
The Wessex Water Foundation Environment Fund supports charitable and community activities that improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the environment for local people in Somerset. The programme provides grants to help communities engage in environmental activities that benefit their local area, restore and maintain the natural environment, and support local biodiversity. Priority areas include reducing water use, improving environmental sustainability (reducing waste, recycling, using reusable alternatives, and reducing energy and water consumption), and improving local biodiversity. The main focus is on activities that have a direct environmental impact rather than primarily people-focused outcomes like mental health and wellbeing. The fund is managed by Somerset Community Foundation and is available to eligible local groups that meet minimum organizational and financial standards.
Churchstanton Community Fund
The Churchstanton Community Fund has been created using money from Anesco, a company that installed a solar farm at Culmhead Aerodrome. It provides grants that benefit residents of the parish of Churchstanton, in the Blackdown Hills. The fund supports local groups to run activities, services or facilities that benefit residents. The fund is deliberately broad in scope, and will consider requests for most activities benefitting local residents. This fund is open twice a year, once in the spring and once in the autumn, with approximately £5,000 available to distribute annually. Decisions are made by a panel comprised of members of Churchstanton Parish Council, following assessment by Somerset Community Foundation staff.
Somerset Social Investment Programme
The Somerset Social Investment Programme (SSIP) offers blended finance, combining loans and grants to help social enterprises and charities grow their income from selling goods or services. This funding is made available through support from Somerset Council, and the repayable nature of the loans allows funds to be recycled into new investments. The blended finance model typically provides two-thirds loan and one-third grant, though the final split is determined case-by-case. Organizations can receive between £10,000 and £40,000 to purchase equipment or property, have working capital for growth, or bridge short-term financial shortfalls. The loan component is unsecured, meaning organizations do not risk losing assets, and the programme is designed to invest in earlier stages of business models where other lenders might not. The grant element must be used for the investment idea and cannot fund general running costs.
Oake Sunshine Fund
The Oake Sunshine Fund has been established as a result of the New Rendy Solar Farm development and provides grants to benefit residents of the parish of Oake, including the hamlets of Heathfield, Hillcommon, Hillfarrance and Oake. The fund is deliberately broad in scope and will consider requests for most activities benefitting local residents. The fund is administered by Somerset Community Foundation and opens twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to local community groups that meet the foundation's minimum standards. Applications are assessed by the foundation's team, with final decisions made by a panel composed of members of Oake Parish Council. The fund has approximately £5,000 available to distribute per year, and typically supports 2 out of every 3 applications received.
HPC Community Fund Open Grants
The HPC Community Fund Open Grants program supports local communities affected by the construction of Hinkley Point C (HPC), one of Somerset's largest developments. Building work started in 2017 and is expected to continue until at least 2027, creating both opportunities and impacts on quality of life for people living in areas like Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and surrounding villages. This fund provides multi-year grants over £10,000 per year for community groups working in HPC-impacted areas. The fund aims to improve community wellbeing and quality of life through projects, building refurbishment, or equipment purchases. With over £1 million available annually, the fund prioritizes groups in communities experiencing greater HPC impacts, those with broad community support, organizations addressing HPC impacts or opportunities, groups collaborating with others, projects offering good value for money, and sustainable initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round with quarterly deadlines, and decisions are made through an assessment process involving Somerset Community Foundation staff and a panel of representatives from SCF, Somerset Council, EDF, and independent community members.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 21
- Active Now
- 9
- Source Domain
- somersetcf.org.uk
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
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