Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_15DBCAD1

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £225,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months
  • Grant Range: £500 - £20,000
  • Geographic Focus: Coastal communities in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wirral, and Sefton (Liverpool Bay area)

Contact Details

Website: https://grantscape.org.uk/fund/burbo-bank-extension-community-fund/

Email: bbecf@grantscape.org.uk

Phone: 01908 247634

Address: GrantScape, Office E, Whitsundoles, Broughton Road, Salford, Milton Keynes, MK17 8BU

Overview

The Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund was established by Ørsted in 2015 in conjunction with the construction of the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm, which officially opened in May 2017. The fund provides approximately £225,000 annually for the expected 25-year lifetime of the wind farm to support community projects along the northwest coast. Since launching, the fund has awarded over £2 million to 214 projects around Liverpool Bay as of October 2024. Managed by independent grant-making charity GrantScape, the fund has evolved its approach to place greater emphasis on environmental sustainability, with new judging criteria giving greater weighting to projects that minimize carbon footprints and make positive environmental impacts. This “Inspired by Green” approach reflects Ørsted's commitment to both renewable energy and community-led environmental action.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £500 - £20,000

  • Two application rounds per year with fixed deadlines
  • April deadline (decisions by end of June)
  • September deadline (decisions by mid-December)
  • Applications submitted online through GrantScape portal

Priority Areas

The fund supports a wide range of community initiatives including:

  • Environmental and wildlife projects - conservation, habitat restoration, environmental education
  • Community building improvements - facility upgrades, equipment purchases
  • Youth programmes - skills development, wellbeing, outdoor education
  • Social welfare projects - advice services, support for vulnerable populations
  • Green skills training - retrofitting, construction, renewable energy
  • Health and wellbeing initiatives - including support for carers, people with additional needs
  • Community engagement - projects that bring communities together

Enhanced Priority: Projects demonstrating environmental sustainability or carbon footprint reduction receive greater weighting in the assessment process.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are detailed in the Full Criteria document available on the GrantScape website. Applicants should review these carefully before applying.

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Governance and Leadership

Fund Administration

The fund is managed by GrantScape (Charity No. 1102249), an independent national grant-making charity specializing in community fund management.

GrantScape Board of Trustees

  • Libby Cooper (Chair) - Business lawyer with expertise in environmental law
  • John Mills - Public affairs professional with background in political communications
  • Gillian French - Third sector grants leadership specialist with 20+ years experience
  • Tim Vaughan - Chartered Accountant with financial services background
  • Danielle Lane - Director of Offshore Development at RWE with renewable energy expertise
  • Simon Peltenburg - Chief Projects Officer at Ripple Energy
  • Helen Foster - Chief Operating Officer at Accounting for Sustainability

Advisory Group

Each application round is assessed by a local Advisory Group comprising:

  • Ørsted representatives
  • GrantScape staff
  • Community representatives with local knowledge

Final decisions are made by GrantScape's Board of Trustees based on Advisory Group recommendations.

Key Quotes

Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, stated: “Ørsted are proud to start this new year hitting this amazing milestone. The fund will celebrate its seventh birthday this year and to support 200 different groups is remarkable. We appreciate all the hard work the groups put in to helping their communities and our planet.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Check eligibility: Use the interactive map on the GrantScape website to verify your project location falls within the defined funding area (coastal areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wirral, and Sefton, including coastal tidal zones and estuary areas of rivers Dee and Mersey)
  2. Review Full Criteria: Download and carefully read the Full Criteria document from the GrantScape website
  3. Submit online application: Applications must be submitted through the GrantScape online portal
  4. Meet the deadline: Applications received after the closing date will be automatically deferred to the next funding round (approximately 6 months later)

Eligible Organizations

  • Voluntary and community groups
  • Local charities
  • Community councils
  • Local authorities (acting on behalf of community organisations)
  • Non-profit social enterprises

Decision Timeline

  • Application deadlines: Two per year (April and September)
  • Assessment period: Grant Officers at GrantScape review all applications against criteria
  • Advisory Group review: Eligible applications presented to Advisory Group
  • Trustee decision: Final decisions made by GrantScape Board of Trustees
  • Notification: Approximately 3 months from submission deadline
  • April deadline → decisions by end of June
  • September deadline → decisions by mid-December

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the fund has demonstrated strong performance:

  • Over 214 projects funded since 2015
  • More than £2 million distributed as of October 2024
  • Regular funding rounds with multiple successful applicants each time

Reapplication Policy

While specific reapplication policies for the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund should be confirmed with GrantScape, similar Ørsted Community Benefit Funds administered by GrantScape typically require unsuccessful applicants to skip one application deadline before reapplying. With two deadlines per year, this means waiting approximately one year before resubmitting an application, even for a different project.

Exception: Nature conservation projects may be exempt from waiting periods.

For definitive guidance, contact GrantScape at bbecf@grantscape.org.uk or 01908 247634.

Application Success Factors

Environmental Focus Advantage

The fund now prioritizes environmental sustainability. Applications that demonstrate:

  • Steps to minimize carbon footprint
  • Positive environmental impact
  • Connection to green energy or sustainability themes

...receive greater weighting in the assessment process.

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

2024-2025 Awards:

  • Volunteer It Yourself CIC (£16,846) - Retrofitting Crosby Scout Hut for community use while training local young volunteers in construction and green skills
  • Ykids Ltd (£17,481) - Creating a Story Garden combining nature, literature, and community to inspire children and promote wellbeing
  • Merseyside Youth Association Ltd (£19,182) - Delivering courses focusing on wellbeing, self-confidence, and transferable life skills
  • Benefit Advice Shop (£12,000) - Recruiting a Welfare Rights Adviser to support vulnerable clients

2023 “Inspired by Green” Round:

  • The National Trust, Wicks Lake Project (£16,425)
  • Sefton Carers Centre, Waterloo – Carer Liaison Support Worker (£16,603)
  • Independence Initiative Ltd, The Indy Workshop Bootle (£5,000)

Other Examples:

  • Energy Projects Plus, Affordable Warmth Wirral (£19,862)
  • St Kentigern Hospice, Co-ordinator of Volunteers (£20,000)
  • Wirral Community Organic Growers, St James Community Greenspace (£5,000)
  • The Orrell Trust, 'The Jolly Soap Opera Mob' environmental activities programme (£5,682)

Key Language and Terminology

  • “Inspired by Green” - The fund's environmental sustainability focus
  • Community benefit - Projects should clearly demonstrate how they benefit local communities
  • Environmental impact - Emphasis on projects that support the environment or reduce carbon footprints
  • Coastal communities - Geographic focus on areas around Liverpool Bay

Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate environmental credentials - Even if not primarily an environmental project, show how your project considers sustainability
  2. Strong local benefit - Clearly articulate how the project serves communities in the defined geographic area
  3. Alignment with renewable energy values - The fund stems from an offshore wind farm; projects that align with clean energy and sustainability themes resonate
  4. Evidence of need - Show clear community need and how your project addresses it
  5. Realistic budgets - Ensure costs are well-researched and justified
  6. Partnership approach - Projects involving collaboration often perform well

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geographic eligibility is critical - Use the interactive map tool to confirm your project location before investing time in an application. The defined area includes coastal zones and estuaries.
  1. Environmental sustainability is increasingly important - Since introducing the “Inspired by Green” criteria, the fund gives greater weighting to projects demonstrating carbon footprint reduction or positive environmental impact.
  1. Plan for the timeline - With only two deadlines per year and approximately 3-month decision periods, plan your project timeline accordingly. Late applications wait 6 months for the next round.
  1. Wide range of eligible projects - The fund supports diverse initiatives from community facilities to environmental education, youth programs to social welfare services - don't self-exclude.
  1. Managed professionally - GrantScape brings rigorous assessment processes and experienced trustees with backgrounds in renewable energy, environmental law, and third sector management.
  1. Strong track record - With over 214 projects funded and £2 million distributed since 2015, this is an established fund with demonstrated commitment to the region.
  1. Contact before applying - GrantScape staff are available to answer questions at 01908 247634 or bbecf@grantscape.org.uk - use this resource if you're uncertain about eligibility.

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