Gloucestershire Community Foundation
CatalogAbout
Gloucestershire Community Foundation is a charitable organization that connects people with communities across Gloucestershire. The foundation manages both short-term (annual) and long-term (endowment) funds that award small grants to make significant differences to local communities. Their vision is for Gloucestershire to be a place where people and communities are empowered to be resilient and strong. They work with charities, social enterprises, and community interest companies to improve people's lives, matching donors with causes they care about and deploying knowledge of the local charitable landscape to allocate grants where they will achieve maximum impact.
Funding Opportunities
Poverty Hurts Fund
The Poverty Hurts Fund is a rolling grant programme supporting Gloucestershire's most vulnerable people with food, heating and energy costs and other essential items as well as supporting organisations providing important advice and guidance as Gloucestershire is hit by the dramatic increase in the cost of living. The fund aims to support activities for vulnerable people and families in need as a result of living in poverty, including low-income families, the frail, elderly, disabled, people with chronic medical conditions or suffering mental illness and the homeless. The programme prioritizes groups that deliver projects reflecting the concerns and priorities of target beneficiaries, demonstrate strong connections within the local community, and have experience working with and reaching out to vulnerable people. Applications are open to voluntary and community groups with charitable aims, registered charities or Community Interest Companies supporting vulnerable people impacted by the increase in the cost of living. Note: The programme is currently paused due to high levels of demand until further funds can be raised.
SWEF Enterprise Fund
The SWEF Enterprise Fund invests in the business initiatives that young people in Gloucestershire are taking to direct and improve their lives. Grants of up to a maximum of £2,500 are awarded to young people in Gloucestershire who need support with business investment that they would otherwise not be able to afford, and particularly to those who are not in education, employment or training. The program supports both start-up businesses (very early stage or pre-revenue companies with less than £500 revenue per month) and existing businesses (companies trading for less than 2 years and generating income of more than £500 per month). Start-up businesses can receive up to £500, while existing businesses can receive up to £2,000. The grant can be used for equipment, materials, stock or services needed to get the business running or support its development. Recipients who receive a start-up grant can re-apply for a larger business grant after six months if their business is successful.
Gloucestershire Freemasons Grant Programme
The Freemasons Grant Programme supports initiatives for older people, people with disabilities and young people facing disadvantage. This programme is open to organisations in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire and is particularly interested in supporting smaller, grassroots organisations where a grant of £2,000 can make a significant difference. The Freemasons Fund was established with Gloucestershire Community Foundation in 2010, with their original investment matched by the government as part of the Office of the Third Sector's Grassroots Grants endowment building programme for Community Foundations. This funding programme prioritises applications for funding towards specific project costs or items of equipment. Recently awarded projects include specialised summer playschemes for children and young people with disabilities, creation of inclusive and accessible woodland sites for conservation and wellbeing activities, peer mentor programmes for disadvantaged young people, and equipment for older men with disabilities to undertake woodwork activities.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund
The Cheltenham Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund has been developed to ensure that the centenary running of Cheltenham Racecourse's greatest race provides a legacy that has a positive impact on those that live and work in the vicinity of the racecourse. The fund is jointly operated between Gloucestershire Community Foundation, the Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham and Cheltenham Racecourse. Various fundraising initiatives continue to be staged and the proceeds from these events and occasions will then be distributed back to good causes and charities that operate in and around Cheltenham area. The fund distributed its first grants in October 2024 and remains open to receive applications for grants of up to £2,000 from organisations working in and based within Cheltenham Borough. Grants will be made from Cheltenham Gold Cup Centenary Fund to support local charitable activity including registered charities, recognised community groups promoting sport, art, music or health and well-being, schools and playgroups, sporting, art or music groups or societies, and other not for profit organisations. Priority is given to organisations working with young people and organisations based within 3 miles and 2 furlongs of Cheltenham Racecourse.
Main Grants Programme
The Main Grants Programme from Gloucestershire Community Foundation aims to support communities to thrive, particularly benefiting people who are isolated or facing challenges due to poverty, disability, age, location, or culture. The programme gives priority to groups that enable people to take opportunities that would otherwise not be available, reflect the concerns and priorities of people living and working in the area, and involve local people in improving their community. To be eligible, organisations must demonstrate that they will benefit people in their community by helping them lead more fulfilling lives, particularly where there is known deprivation, disadvantage, or isolation. GCF's priorities include projects or activities which reflect the needs and concerns of their beneficiaries by adding value to existing community provision, enable people to take up opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them, encourage local volunteers to engage with their communities, and develop partnerships with other local organisations and groups. Awards are available between £1,000 and £5,000. The programme operates on two rounds per year, with the foundation typically supporting between 40% and 50% of applications. In some cases, only partial grants can be awarded due to high demand on funds. Please note that the panel has taken a decision not to support capital building and renovation projects for the foreseeable future whilst demand remains high. Applicants must be voluntary and community groups with charitable aims, registered charities or Community Interest Companies with more than three unrelated Trustees or Board Members, a bank account in the organisation's name with at least two signatories, and must be based and working in Gloucestershire.
ICB Gloucestershire Communities Against Cancer Grant Programme
The ICB Gloucestershire Communities Against Cancer Grant Programme has been established to deliver a two-year pilot project aimed at enhancing awareness, access, and trust in cancer screening services by collaborating with community-based organisations. The Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) Cancer Team, in partnership with Gloucestershire Community Foundation, seeks to improve early cancer diagnosis in underserved communities across Gloucestershire. This collaborative programme focuses on reducing health inequalities by working with charitable, voluntary, community and faith organisations to reach underserved populations including asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, travellers, sex workers, LGBTQ+, veterans, farmers, and those experiencing homelessness. The programme aims to increase cancer screening uptake, ensure earlier diagnosis, and reduce health disparities through culturally competent communication and sustainable partnerships. Funding of £75,000 per year for two years will be available across three rounds during 2025 and 2026, awarding grants of between £2,500 and £15,000 (including potential two-year grants where suitable). The programme will support activities such as sharing information about cancer screening services, opening conversations about screening, delivering information regarding cancer risk factors and symptoms, and training staff and volunteers to encourage clients to attend medical and screening appointments. Applications may be submitted as partnerships between more than one organisation but must have a lead applicant responsible for receipt of the grant. The programme uses a two-stage application process starting with an online Expression of Interest form, followed by a full application by invitation.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 8
- Active Now
- 6
- Source Domain
- gloucestershirecf.org.uk
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
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