Community Foundation For Calderdale

Charity Number: 1002722

Annual Expenditure: £2.6M
Geographic Focus: Calderdale

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??2,604,524 (last 12 months)
  • Total Distributed Since 1991: ??34 million+
  • Grants Awarded (Last 12 months): 348
  • Decision Time: 12 weeks from deadline
  • Grant Range: ??1,000 - ??10,000 (varies by programme)
  • Geographic Focus: Calderdale, West Yorkshire

Contact Details

Website: www.cffc.co.uk

Email: enquiries@cffc.co.uk | grants@cffc.co.uk

Phone: 01422 349700

Address: 9 Clare Road, Halifax, HX1 2HX

Pre-Application Support:

  • Grants Team: grants@cffc.co.uk, 01422 349700
  • VSI Alliance (free support): info@vsialliance.org.uk, 01422 348777

Overview

Founded in 1991, the Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) is the local community foundation serving Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Over 33 years, CFFC has distributed more than ??34 million in grants to local charities and community organisations. In the last 12 months alone, they awarded 348 grants totalling ??2,604,524. The foundation operates with a staff team of 10 (approximately 8.2 FTE) led by CEO Steve Duncan DL, supported by a diverse board of local trustees. CFFC's mission centres on raising and distributing funds to support local community activity through grant-making, improving quality of life across Calderdale. Their strategic approach focuses on five key priorities: Homelessness and Housing, Poverty and Disadvantage, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Community Cohesion, and Environment. CFFC emphasizes strengthening projects and increasing sustainability to ensure organisations can continue making positive local impact. The Foundation demonstrates transparency through 360Giving data standards and works in partnership with Calderdale Council and other funders to deliver targeted grant programmes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants: Up to ??5,000 (rolling basis via online portal)

  • Core funding for eligible voluntary sector organisations
  • Supports projects aligned with strategic priorities
  • Online application through CFFC website

Climate Emergency Fund: Up to ??10,000

  • Environmental and carbon reduction projects
  • Partnership with Calderdale Council
  • Over ??1 million investment; 22 grants awarded (??463,899 to date)
  • Larger grants for multi-impact, transformational projects

Calderdale Resilience Fund: Up to ??7,000

  • Cost of living support initiatives
  • Prevention of poverty and crisis support
  • Partnership with Calderdale Council
  • Rolling basis applications

Education Fund: ??3,000 for groups; ??1,000 for individuals

  • Educational development and opportunities

Household Support Fund: Various amounts

  • Direct support for essentials, fuel, food, and energy
  • Recent round: ??185,008 to 37 groups

Todmorden Windfarm Community Fund: Variable

  • Community projects in Todmorden area

UKSPF CultureDale Fund: Variable

  • Arts and culture projects during Year of Culture 2024-2025

Hebden Bridge Access Fund: Variable

  • Accessibility improvements
  • 19 grants awarded (??55,000+)

Priority Areas

CFFC prioritises applications contributing to their five strategic priorities:

  1. Homelessness and Housing: Projects addressing housing insecurity and homelessness
  2. Poverty and Disadvantage: Initiatives preventing or alleviating poverty and social exclusion
  3. Mental Health and Wellbeing: Support for mental health and overall wellbeing
  4. Community Cohesion: Activities bringing communities together and reducing isolation
  5. Environment: Contribution to Calderdale Carbon Zero Strategy and environmental sustainability

What They Don't Fund

  • Retrospective applications: Activities already completed or money already spent
  • Statutory funding substitution: Projects normally funded by Calderdale Council, Education Authority, Social Services, or Central Government
  • Religious activities: Activities promoting religion (faith groups can apply for wider community benefit projects)
  • Political activities: Political campaigns or lobbying
  • Animal welfare: Projects where main beneficiaries are animals
  • Individuals: Individual applications (except specific programmes like Education Fund)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chair: Nigel Cliffe - Marketing expert and LinkedIn training specialist, appointed Chair in late 2024

Trustees include:

  • Alison Haskins: CEO of Halifax Opportunities Trust, extensive voluntary sector experience since 1999
  • Andrew Hawley: Construction/energy industry professional (35+ years), Chair of Finance Committee
  • Brenda Hodgson: Principal of Blackwood Communications, Chair of Grants Committee
  • Jo Core: Former Lloyds Banking Group executive, Operations Director at Nest Helping the Homeless
  • Liz Kenny: Co-owner of Grapevine Directories, Marketing & Development Committee Chair
  • Preet Sandhu: CEO of The Next Step Trust, disability services background
  • Richard Blackburn: Managing Director of PiB (Insurance) Group, Trustee since 2019
  • Roger Moore OBE: Former Chair, biomedical scientist and civil servant, Trustee since 2009
  • Sabir Hussain: Self-employed tutor with extensive public sector experience

Leadership Team

CEO: Steve Duncan DL (Steve@cffc.co.uk)

Key Staff:

  • Rob Billson: Grants Manager (Rob@cffc.co.uk)
  • Rachel Oates: Marketing Manager (Rachel@cffc.co.uk)
  • Amanda Lawson: Finance Manager (Amanda@cffc.co.uk)
  • Danni Bailey: Grants Officer (Danni@cffc.co.uk)
  • Rachel Burnett: Grants Programmes Co-ordinator (RachelB@cffc.co.uk)

Leadership Quotes

CEO Steve Duncan stated: "We're proud to be working in partnership with Calderdale Council to deliver the Resilience Fund“ and noted that ”This funding will enable grassroots organisations to respond quickly to crisis situations."

CFFC's approach is described as “funding and grants advice based around strengthening projects and increasing sustainability, ensuring organisations can continue to keep making a positive impact locally.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Constitution or governing document
  • Safeguarding policies
  • Risk assessment
  • Up-to-date accounts
  • Committee member list
  • Bank statement (showing organisation name)
  • Quotes/cost estimates
  • Equalities & Diversity Policy

Alternative Application Method: CFFC accepts video applications (5-12 minutes) as a reasonable adjustment for accessibility. Videos must cover organisation details, project description, community need, anticipated changes, beneficiary demographics, and budget.

Decision Timeline

  • Grants Panel Meeting: Within 12 weeks of grant deadline
  • Decision Notification: Within 12 weeks of deadline (typically by email)
  • Review Process: Grants Team conducts due diligence before Panel review

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, CFFC notes that “many of our programmes are oversubscribed, so while an application may be strong, there could simply be a lack of available funding.” In the last 12 months, 348 grants were awarded totalling ??2,604,524, indicating competitive selection.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants can discuss how to improve future applications with the Grants Team. While specific waiting periods are not stated, CFFC encourages dialogue about strengthening reapplications. An appeals process is available for those wishing to challenge decisions, requiring a letter of appeal to the Grants Manager. However, Panel decisions cannot be changed unless the Panel agrees via the Appeals process.

Application Success Factors

Assessment Criteria

The Grants Team and Panel evaluate applications based on:

  • Financial and Governance: Documents in good order, organisational stability
  • Strategic Alignment: How well project meets grant programme priorities
  • Organisational Capacity: Ability to deliver the project
  • Track Record: Previous experience delivering similar projects
  • Project Viability: Clear plan, realistic timeline, reasonable budget
  • Community Need: Demonstrated need and anticipated positive impact

What CFFC Looks For

  • Detail and Clarity: Comprehensive information about group and project
  • Strategic Fit: Clear alignment with one or more of the five strategic priorities
  • Sustainability: Evidence of how the project will strengthen the organisation and continue beyond grant funding
  • Community Benefit: Demonstrable positive impact on Calderdale residents
  • Realistic Budgets: Well-researched costs with supporting quotes
  • Governance: Strong safeguarding, policies, and management structures

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

Household Support Fund:

  • Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees: Essentials and fuel vouchers
  • Brighouse Central Food Bank: Food and social supermarket
  • Building Bridges Food Hub: Food and energy support
  • Calderdale Citizens Advice Bureau: Warm space provision
  • Children's Corner Preschool: Essentials, food, and energy

CultureDale/Leap into Culturedale Awards:

  • Sarah Westgarth's “Seasonal Shoebox”: 35 art kits combining art supplies with foraging tools
  • Richard Langford's “Elland ??? Places and Faces”: Community photography project
  • Anna Palmer's “A Songbook of Care”: Music therapy for elderly care home residents

Climate Emergency Fund:

  • 22 environmental and carbon reduction projects (??463,899 total)

Hebden Bridge Access Fund:

  • 19 accessibility improvement projects (??55,000+)

Common Reasons for Rejection

  • Missing Documentation: Required documents not submitted by deadline
  • Lack of Strategic Alignment: Project doesn't fit grant programme priorities
  • Insufficient Detail: Application lacks clarity about project or impact
  • Limited Funding: Strong applications may be rejected due to oversubscription
  • Governance Concerns: Inadequate policies or financial management

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Seek Pre-Application Support: Contact VSI Alliance (free) or CFFC Grants Team for guidance
  2. Demonstrate Local Impact: Show clear understanding of Calderdale community needs
  3. Align with Priorities: Explicitly connect project to CFFC's five strategic priorities
  4. Evidence Sustainability: Explain how project strengthens organisation long-term
  5. Provide Strong Documentation: Ensure all governance documents are current and comprehensive
  6. Show Track Record: Highlight previous successful project delivery
  7. Be Specific: Include concrete details about activities, outcomes, and beneficiaries
  8. Budget Carefully: Provide realistic, well-researched costs with supporting quotes
  9. Consider Video Application: If written applications are challenging, use the video option
  10. Meet Deadlines: Submit complete applications with all documentation before deadlines

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strategic Fit is Critical: Projects must clearly align with at least one of CFFC's five strategic priorities (Homelessness/Housing, Poverty/Disadvantage, Mental Health/Wellbeing, Community Cohesion, Environment). Make these connections explicit in your application.
  • Oversubscription is Common: Many programmes receive more strong applications than available funding. Ensure your application stands out through specific detail, strong evidence of need, and clear demonstration of impact.
  • Governance Matters: Applications with incomplete or inadequate documentation (safeguarding policies, accounts, constitution) will not progress to Panel review. Ensure all documents are current and comprehensive before applying.
  • Sustainability Over One-Off Projects: CFFC prioritises projects that strengthen organisations and increase sustainability. Demonstrate how the grant will enable long-term positive impact, not just short-term activities.
  • Free Support is Available: Utilise VSI Alliance's free holistic support or contact CFFC's Grants Team directly. Building relationships and seeking advice before applying significantly strengthens applications.
  • 12-Week Timeline: Plan for a 12-week decision timeline from deadline. Factor this into project planning and ensure you can wait this period before needing funds.
  • Local Knowledge is Valued: As a community foundation, CFFC values applicants who demonstrate deep understanding of Calderdale's communities and needs. Reference local data, insights, and partnerships where possible.

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