East Coast Community Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_907F554F

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £465,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (high competition)
  • Decision Time: 3 months
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Coastal communities in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and North Norfolk
  • Total Awarded: Over £3.4 million since 2017 to 281+ projects

Contact Details

Administrator: GrantScape

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

Phone: 01908 247634

Email: eccf@grantscape.org.uk

Website: https://www.grantscape.org.uk/fund/eastcoastcommunityfund/

Pre-application Support: Contact GrantScape for guidance on eligibility. Projects in Long Sutton should contact Laura Farrell (laura.farrell@grantscape.org.uk) before applying.

Overview

The East Coast Community Fund was established in 2017 as part of Ørsted's community engagement programme for the Hornsea 1 and Race Bank offshore wind farms off the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coasts. Administered by independent grant-making charity GrantScape (Charity No. 1102249), the fund provides approximately £465,000 annually for 20 years until 2037. With over £3.4 million already awarded to more than 281 community and environmental projects, the fund demonstrates a strong commitment to coastal communities. Recent strategic emphasis has been placed on the “Inspired by Green” initiative, giving greater weighting to projects that minimise carbon footprints and deliver positive environmental impact. GrantScape has distributed over £70 million to nearly 1,300 projects across all its funds since its founding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Fund (approximately £390,000 annually split across two rounds):

  • Small Grants: £1,000 - £10,000 (no match funding required)
  • Main Grants: £10,001 - £50,000 (minimum 20% match funding required, including in-kind contributions)
  • Revenue costs eligible for up to two years of funding
  • Capital and revenue costs can be combined in single applications
  • Application method: Online portal with fixed bi-annual deadlines

Skills Fund (£75,000 annually, ring-fenced):

  • Separate process and deadlines for STEM educational and training initiatives
  • Organizations can apply to both funds simultaneously, though awards to one may reduce priority for the other

Priority Areas

The fund actively supports:

  • Community Buildings and Facilities: Improvements, retrofitting, energy efficiency upgrades
  • Community Activities: Addressing health, social isolation, community cohesion
  • Environmental Projects: Conservation, public open space improvements, ocean protection
  • Sports, Recreation and Play: Facilities and programmes
  • Heritage Preservation: Building repairs and accessibility improvements
  • Youth Support: Youth workers, educational programmes, clubs
  • Older Adult Services: Support hubs and activities

“Inspired by Green” Initiative: Projects demonstrating environmental benefit and carbon footprint reduction receive greater weighting in assessment. Applicants must explain how they minimize environmental impact and contribute positively to the environment.

What They Don't Fund

Explicit exclusions include:

  • Commercial organizations
  • Statutory duties
  • Religious-focused projects (religious organizations may apply for community benefit projects)
  • Schools (unless a separate constituted body applies for wider community benefit)
  • Private membership clubs
  • Retrospective funding
  • One-off events
  • Memorials
  • Land or building purchases
  • Asset transfer costs
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Governance and Leadership

Decision-Making Structure:

The fund operates through a two-tier governance model:

  1. Local Advisory Group: Comprises Ørsted representatives, GrantScape staff, and community representatives with deep local knowledge. Reviews all eligible applications and makes funding recommendations.
  2. GrantScape Board of Trustees: Makes final decisions on grant awards based on Advisory Group recommendations.

GrantScape Trustees include business lawyers, chartered accountants, and professionals from sustainability and public affairs backgrounds. No trustees receive remuneration.

Key Leadership:

Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, provides strategic direction. In January 2025, he stated: "It's been a fabulous way to start 2025, hearing about all these incredible projects. Well done to the worthy organisations, we're looking forward to seeing the impact of their efforts and continuing our commitment to supporting local communities."

Nawaz has also emphasized community involvement: “Our community benefit funds are a powerful tool to deliver critically important funding to our communities. We included communities at the start of each fund, asking them to shape what the fund to be what they needed.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Check Eligibility: Verify project location using the interactive map on the GrantScape website (all eligible areas are shaded)
  2. Pre-Application Preparation: Download the "Application Form Questions & Guidance" document to plan responses in advance
  3. Register: Create an account on the GrantScape online portal
  4. Complete Online Form: Applications can be saved and edited multiple times before submission. GrantScape provides instructional videos for registration and form completion.
  5. Submit: MUST press the submit button (critical - incomplete submissions are not received)
  6. Confirmation: Automatic email acknowledgement with PDF copy of application

Accessibility: Groups unable to complete online applications due to communication needs should contact GrantScape for alternative arrangements.

Application Limit: One application per organization per deadline.

Decision Timeline

Round Schedule (bi-annual):

  • Round 1: Closes late July → Decisions by end of October (3 months)
  • Round 2: Closes early February → Decisions by end of April (3 months)

Late applications automatically roll to the next round (approximately 6-month delay).

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the fund reports “consistently high interest,” suggesting competitive application rounds. Since 2017, 281+ projects have been funded from approximately £3.4 million, indicating selective but substantial grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful Applicants:

  • Must skip one application deadline before reapplying (essentially approximately 12 months)
  • Policy applies even if reapplying for a different project
  • Exception: Organizations applying specifically for Nature Conservation projects do not need to wait

Successful Applicants:

  • Must fully complete funded project before reapplying
  • Must then skip the next application deadline before submitting new applications
  • Policy applies even for different projects

Application Success Factors

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

  1. Community Support and Involvement: Level of community engagement and participation
  2. Local Community Benefit: Demonstrated impact on the local area
  3. Environmental Benefit: Alignment with “Inspired by Green” - carbon footprint reduction and positive environmental impact
  4. Project Sustainability and Legacy: Long-term viability beyond grant period
  5. Delivery Capability: Organization's track record and capacity to deliver
  6. Value for Money: Cost-effectiveness and budget justification

Recently Funded Projects (Examples)

April 2025 Round:

  • Hornsea Town Football Club - £31,547 for grass football pitch redevelopment
  • Volunteer It Yourself CIC - £36,425 for Mablethorpe Community Hall retrofitting and community garden
  • Lincoln City Foundation - £18,661 for older adult support hub

October 2024 Round:

  • Marine Conservation Society - £23,267 for ocean conservation engaging 700+ volunteers
  • Shalom Youth Centre - £26,908 for youth worker in East Marsh, Grimsby
  • Boston Preservation Trust - £33,000 for Fydell House repairs and accessibility improvements

May 2024 Round:

  • IntoUniversity Grimsby - £23,482 for community learning centre
  • R-evolution - £20,253 for community cycle hubs
  • Sutton on Sea Social Club - £21,372 for solar power project

December 2023 Round:

  • Age UK Lindsey - £27,422 for reducing social isolation
  • Snettisham Beach Sailing Club - £13,645 for solar thermal water heating
  • Wells Maltings Trust - £5,000 for youth group project

Language and Terminology

Successful applications emphasize:

  • “Community-led” initiatives
  • “Environmental benefit” and “carbon footprint reduction”
  • “Inspired by Green” alignment
  • “Sustainability and legacy”
  • “Intergenerational” activities
  • “Social isolation” reduction
  • “Volunteer engagement”
  • “Accessibility” and “inclusion”

Tips for Standing Out

  • Demonstrate Environmental Credentials: With the “Inspired by Green” initiative receiving greater weighting, clearly articulate how your project minimizes carbon impact and benefits the environment
  • Show Community Involvement: Evidence of community consultation, support, and participation strengthens applications
  • Focus on Legacy: Explain how the project will continue beyond the grant period
  • Be Specific About Impact: Quantify beneficiaries and outcomes where possible
  • Match Funding: While small grants don't require match funding, demonstrating additional resources (including in-kind) shows commitment
  • Use the Guidance Document: Download and thoroughly review the application questions in advance to craft well-considered responses
  • Geographic Eligibility is Critical: Verify your location using the interactive map before investing time in an application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Environmental weighting is increasing: The “Inspired by Green” initiative now carries greater weight in decision-making. Projects should demonstrate carbon reduction and environmental benefits, even for non-environmental primary purposes.
  • Community engagement is paramount: Applications must show genuine community support, involvement, and clear local benefit. The Advisory Group includes community representatives who understand local needs.
  • Match funding enhances competitiveness: While only required for grants over £10,000, demonstrating additional resources (cash or in-kind) strengthens any application by showing broader support.
  • Geographic boundaries are strictly enforced: Use the interactive map to verify eligibility before applying. Projects outside the shaded coastal areas will not be considered.
  • Multi-year revenue funding is available: Unlike many funders, this fund supports revenue costs for up to two years, making it valuable for staffing and ongoing programmes.
  • Reapplication restrictions require strategic timing: With a mandatory 6-12 month waiting period after unsuccessful applications (except Nature Conservation), organizations should ensure applications are as strong as possible on first submission.
  • Relationship building matters: Contact GrantScape with questions during the preparation phase. They offer guidance videos and support for applicants, demonstrating willingness to help organizations succeed.

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