Derwent London Community Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_2C006303

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £150,000 (divided equally between two geographic funds)
  • Grant Range: £2,000 - £5,000
  • Geographic Focus: Central London (Fitzrovia & West End, and Tech Belt area)
  • Total Invested Since 2013: £1.2 million
  • Projects Supported: 180+ community projects
  • Application Method: Fixed deadlines (twice yearly)

Contact Details

Email: community@derwentlondon.com

Phone: 020 7659 3000

Website: www.derwentlondon.com/community-fund

To be added to the launch notification mailing list for either Community Fund West or Community Fund East, email community@derwentlondon.com.

Overview

The Derwent London Community Fund was established in 2013 by Derwent London plc, the UK's largest London office-focused Real Estate Investment Trust with a property portfolio valued at £5.2 billion. Originally launched in Fitzrovia, the fund expanded in 2016 to include the Tech Belt area. Since inception, the fund has invested approximately £1.2 million in over 180 grassroots community projects across central London. For 2025-2027, the fund has committed £150,000 annually, divided equally between Community Fund West (Fitzrovia & West End) and Community Fund East (Tech Belt). New for 2025, multi-year funding is available for certain groups. The fund forms part of Derwent London's voluntary sustainability programme and commitment to developing community engagement, operating in addition to the company's required community contributions from planning agreements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund operates two distinct geographic programs with equal funding allocation:

  • Community Fund West (Fitzrovia & West End): Up to £75,000 annually, supporting local community projects in the Fitzrovia and West End areas
  • Community Fund East (formerly Tech Belt Community Fund): Up to £75,000 annually, supporting the Tech Belt area extending from King's Cross to Whitechapel, largely covering EC1 and E1 postcodes

Funding Amounts:

  • Registered charities: Up to £5,000
  • Non-registered groups, businesses, and individual applicants: Up to £2,000

Applications are considered through fixed-deadline rounds (typically twice yearly), with online applications via SurveyMonkey. Detailed guidance notes are available for each funding round.

Priority Areas

The fund supports projects that offer positive benefits in the following areas:

  • Social activities and community engagement
  • Cultural and arts initiatives
  • Health and wellbeing (particularly mental health support)
  • Physical health programmes
  • Employment access and skills development
  • Support for vulnerable groups (including homeless or those facing homelessness)

The fund particularly welcomes applications from local community groups, residents, and local business owners within the designated geographic areas.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are detailed in the downloadable guidance notes for each funding round. Applicants are advised to review these carefully before applying.

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Governance and Leadership

Paul Williams - Chief Executive Officer of Derwent London plc (since 2019). Williams has been with Derwent London since 1987 and emphasizes long-term relationships and community engagement. He has stated the company's commitment to “pressing on with our work to improve life in our communities, reducing our environmental impact and being transparent in our approach.”

Helen Joscelyne - Community & Social Value Manager at Derwent London. Joscelyne commented on the 2024 fund: "We are pleased to announce the successful recipients of 2024's Fitzrovia & West End Community Fund. All the selected projects speak to the importance of community engagement and will support people by inviting them to come together and get involved in a range of activities."

Review Panel: Applications are considered by representatives from Derwent London (including its Diversity & Inclusion Committee), local authority officers, and an independent consultant. To ensure wider accessibility, diversity, and inclusion, Derwent London consulted with charity partner Chickenshed, an inclusive theatre group, and adapted the application process to reflect their valued input.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Monitor the Derwent London website or email community@derwentlondon.com to be added to the launch notification mailing list
  2. When applications open, complete the online application via the SurveyMonkey link provided on their website
  3. Download and carefully review the detailed guidance notes for the specific fund (West or East)
  4. Submit completed application before the published deadline

The application process has been specifically adapted for accessibility, diversity, and inclusion following consultation with Chickenshed.

Decision Timeline

Based on recent funding rounds:

  • Application period: Typically 4-6 weeks
  • Decision announcement: Approximately 6-8 weeks after application deadline
  • Example timeline (2025 Community Fund East): Applications opened 16 September 2025, deadline 24 October 2025, recipients announced early December 2025

The fund operates on a fixed-deadline basis with rounds typically opening twice yearly (spring and autumn).

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, the fund has supported 180+ projects since 2013, with funding rounds typically awarding 7-10 grants per geographic area. The fund has noted receiving the “largest number of applications to date” in recent rounds, suggesting competitive selection.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact community@derwentlondon.com for specific guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Recent Funded Projects (2024 Examples)

Fitzrovia & West End Community Fund 2024:

  • All Souls Serve The City – Senior Care
  • Dende Collective – The Church Street Masquerade
  • Volta International Festival – Bright Lights London
  • Foodcycle Marylebone – Community Meals
  • Fitzrovia Youth in Action – Sunday Sport Drop-ins at The Warren
  • Fitz Music – FitzFest
  • Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association – Healthy Minds Through Art & Crafts for Women
  • Georges Sokol – Piano Festival

Tech Belt Community Fund 2024:

  • The Spitz Charitable Trust – Live music for wellbeing
  • SoapBox Old Street – STEAM Online
  • Finsbury and Clerkenwell Volunteers (FCV Dorcas) – Core funding
  • Hoxton Hall – Strictly Hoxton
  • Urban MBA – Core funding
  • Bounce Legacy CIC – Bounce Film School
  • Streets of Growth – Pathfinder Career Mentoring
  • Arts for All – The Rainbow Club

Key Success Factors

  • Geographic focus: Projects must clearly serve the designated geographic area (Fitzrovia & West End OR Tech Belt)
  • Community benefit: Strong emphasis on projects that bring people together and encourage participation in activities
  • Diverse activities: Successful projects span arts, culture, health, wellbeing, social activities, and skills development
  • Inclusion and accessibility: The fund values diversity and inclusion, having adapted its processes specifically for this purpose
  • Local engagement: Projects involving local community groups, residents, and business owners are encouraged
  • Core funding available: The fund supports some organizations with core funding, not just project-specific grants
  • Partnership approach: The fund works collaboratively with local authorities and community partners

Application Tips

  1. Carefully review the detailed guidance notes for the specific fund you're applying to
  2. Demonstrate clear benefits in social, cultural, arts, or health areas for local communities
  3. Show how your project will engage people and bring the community together
  4. Be specific about your geographic reach within the designated areas
  5. Consider the fund's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in your project design
  6. Contact the Communities team early if you have questions about eligibility

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is crucial: Ensure your project clearly falls within either the Fitzrovia & West End area OR the Tech Belt (King's Cross to Whitechapel, EC1 and E1)
  • New multi-year funding available: For certain groups, multi-year funding is now available (new for 2025) - this may be advantageous for sustainability
  • Know your funding tier: Registered charities can apply for up to £5,000; non-registered groups, businesses, and individuals are capped at £2,000
  • Plan for fixed deadlines: This is not a rolling fund - watch for twice-yearly application windows and don't miss deadlines
  • Emphasize community engagement: Successful projects demonstrate how they bring people together and encourage participation
  • Diversity matters: The fund has specifically adapted its processes for accessibility and inclusion - demonstrate how your project reflects these values
  • Build relationships: Contact the Communities team with questions, join the mailing list, and engage proactively
  • Consider the broader context: Derwent London is a major property REIT in London with a strong sustainability commitment - understanding their corporate values may help position your application

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