Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Founded: 2002 (registered charity 2003)
• Endowment Fund: £12.7-15 million
• Annual Giving: £1.9 million (2022)
• Total Distributed: £8.8 million to 3,000+ projects
• Decision Time: 8-10 weeks after deadline
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (typically £1,000 - £5,000)
• Success Rate: 15% (Including Communities 2024)
• Geographic Focus: Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight

Contact Details

Website: www.hiwcf.org.uk

Email: grantsadmin@hiwcf.com / info@hiwcf.com

Phone: 01962 798700 (ask for Grants Team)

Alternative Email: online@hantscf.org.uk (for document uploads)

For grant application support, contact the Grants Team directly during the application process.

Overview

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) was established in 2002 and became a registered charity in 2003. Over 20 years, it has built an endowment fund of £12.7-15 million, distributing £8.8 million in grants to over 3,000 community projects. In 2022 alone, HIWCF distributed approximately £1.9 million, with £1.3 million focused on poverty reduction. The foundation is an independent charitable organization specializing in building funds and awarding grants on behalf of donors to support smaller charities, community groups, and voluntary organizations. HIWCF focuses on six priority areas: helping communities flourish, health and wellbeing, crime and safety, environment, poverty and inequality, and employment and skills. The foundation is presided over by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and overseen by a board of trustees with extensive corporate and charitable sector experience.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Including Communities Fund

• Amount: £1,000 - £10,000 (12-month grants)
• Target: Grassroots organizations with income under £1 million (priority for those under £100,000)
• Application Method: Fixed deadline (typically advertised for at least one month)
• Recent Statistics: 126 applications for £135,000 available; 18 grants awarded (15% success rate in 2024)

General Grant Programs

• Typical Range: £1,000 - £5,000
• Application Method: Annual calendar of themed programs, rolling throughout year
• Coverage: Staff/volunteer costs, activity costs, small equipment, proportionate core costs

Priority Areas

1. Poverty and Inequality - Work reaching people living hard and challenging lives, facing discrimination or isolation
2. Employment and Skills - Employability programs (received over £800,000 in 2022, the highest level of funding)
3. Communities Flourishing - Support groups, social action projects, volunteering initiatives that regularly bring community members together
4. Health and Wellbeing - Physical activity, sports, and wellness programs
5. Environment - Community-based environmental projects
6. Crime and Safety - Support for veterans and community safety initiatives

Key Requirement: Projects must show how the target community helped shape the work through consultation, volunteering, or leadership.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations that redistribute funding for grant-making to others
• Single religious or ethnic groups promoting their own values (will consider if supporting wider community)
• Political or military groups/activities (though may support veteran support organizations)
• Capital appeals for building projects (e.g., rebuilding community centres, heritage centres, visitor centres, museums, theatres, places of worship)
• One-to-one support work (for Including Communities program)
• Organizations without proper governance (must have constitution, management committee of 3+ unrelated people, appropriate bank account)

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Governance and Leadership

Presidents

• Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson - President, former Royal Green Jackets officer
• Lord-Lieutenant Susie Sheldon - President of Isle of Wight Community Fund

Board of Trustees

• Amelia Riviere - Chair of Trustees, former High Sheriff of Hampshire
• Krysia Butwilowska - Deputy Chair, experienced educator
• Rachel Cooper - Honorary Treasurer, experienced accountant
• Matt York - Third sector professional with grants leadership experience
• Tim Johnson - Trustee and Finance Committee member
• Virginia Lovell - Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, former Chief President of St John Ambulance
• Jo Ash CBE - Former Chief Executive of Southampton Voluntary Services (30+ years)
• Ian Prideaux - Former Chief Investment Officer at Grosvenor Estate (2006-2022)

Leadership Team

• Jacqui Scott - CEO (appointed September 2021), 20+ years in nonprofit fundraising
• Joanne Davies - Grants Manager
• Milly Moss - Communications Manager

Leadership Quotes

Jacqui Scott, CEO, on reaching communities: "To reach the 'hardest to reach' groups, HIWCF needs to understand what makes them hard to reach."

On demand: “We have effectively been asked for more than our full year of grant funds available – across all funding programmes – on this one grant programme alone... the sea of demand out there in our communities is overwhelming.”

On employment: “Decent employment can transform lives, households, and whole communities.”

On donor impact: “Donating to HIWCF means you can directly strengthen communities.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Supporting Documents: Upload electronically or email to online@hantscf.org.uk with reference number
2. Confirmation: Automatic email with PDF copy upon submission

Required Documents (must be up-to-date):

• Constitution or governance document
• Bank details for account with 2+ unrelated signatories
• Evidence of management committee/board of at least 3 unrelated people
• Program-specific documents (varies by fund)

Assistance Available: Contact 01962 798700 for help with online form completion

Decision Timeline

1. Application Period: Programs typically advertised for at least 1 month
2. Initial Screening: Checks core criteria and program criteria; unsuccessful applications notified at this stage
3. Assessment: Conducted by Grants Team or External Assessors (may contact for additional details)
4. Grants Panel: Final decisions made by panel of community funding experts and fund donors
5. Decision Time: 8-10 weeks after deadline
6. Notification: Email with grant offer letter
7. Payment: Typically 2 weeks after approval (can vary)

Success Rates

• Including Communities 2024: 126 applications, 18 grants awarded = 15% success rate
• Overall: “Can often fund less than half the grant applications” received
• 2024 Challenge: Demand outstripped supply by 88% on Including Communities fund

Reapplication Policy

• Cannot make multiple applications to the same grant program simultaneously
• Can hold an existing HIWCF grant and apply for additional grants from different programs
• Can apply to multiple different grant programs at the same time
• Must submit Grant Feedback and Learning Form from previous grants before new grants approved
• Need full set of supporting documents with each application (requirements vary by program)
• No specified waiting period mentioned for reapplying after unsuccessful application

Application Success Factors

What HIWCF Looks For in Strong Applications

1. Clear Needs Explanation: Demonstrate why the people targeted by your project need support (your “chosen community”)
2. Activity Plan Alignment: Clear plan relating directly to grant program criteria
3. Impact Demonstration: Clear explanation of how activities will create positive changes
4. Community-Shaped Design: Activities shaped by the target community through consultation, volunteering, or leadership
5. Realistic Budget: Clear, detailed budget showing exactly how grant will be used
6. Appropriate Reserves: Level of unrestricted reserves appropriate for your organization size

Practical Tips from HIWCF

• Create an organizational folder with up-to-date documents frequently requested by funders
• Attend HIWCF webinars for specific grant programs
• Contact Grants Team with questions during application process
• Review FAQs from previous applicants
• Respond promptly if assessors contact you for additional information
• Prepare referee contact if requested
• Ensure previous grant monitoring forms are submitted

Organizations They Fund

Recent Example: The Nature Nurture Project (2023-24) - Andover Trees United received funding for work with young carers at Harmony Woods, connecting young people with nature through outdoor activities.

Language and Terminology

• “Grassroots organizations” - smaller community groups
• “Chosen community” - target beneficiaries
• “Flourishing communities” - thriving, connected communities
• “Hard and challenging lives” - people experiencing poverty, discrimination, or isolation
• Focus on “transformation,” “strengthening communities,” and “community togetherness”

Red Flags to Avoid

• Applications without community involvement in design
• Unclear or inflated budgets
• Missing or outdated supporting documents
• Organizations with unsubmitted monitoring forms from previous grants
• Work that doesn't align with priority areas
• Projects promoting single group values rather than supporting wider community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Competition is Intense: With only 15% success rates and demand outstripping supply by 88%, applications must be exceptionally strong and clearly aligned with priorities.

1. Community Co-Design is Critical: You must demonstrate that your target community helped shape the work - this is non-negotiable for most programs. Include specific examples of consultation, volunteering, or community leadership.

1. Focus on Poverty and Employment: The foundation prioritized poverty reduction (£1.3m of £1.9m in 2022) and employment programs (£800k+). Frame your work in these contexts where relevant.

1. Target Grassroots Organizations: Priority given to smaller organizations (under £1m income, especially under £100k). Emphasize your grassroots nature and local connections.

1. Budget Clarity is Essential: With limited funds and high demand, panels scrutinize budgets carefully. Be realistic, detailed, and show exactly how each pound creates impact.

1. Build Relationships: Contact the Grants Team early, attend webinars, and maintain dialogue. HIWCF values open communication and wants to understand organizations they don't yet know.

1. Complete All Reporting: Previous grant recipients must submit monitoring forms before new grants are approved. Demonstrate you're a reliable partner.

References

1. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation website - Homepage and About Us. Available at: https://hiwcf.org.uk/ []

1. HIWCF - Grants Information. Available at: https://hiwcf.org.uk/grants/ []

1. HIWCF - Frequently Asked Questions. Available at: https://hiwcf.org.uk/faqs/ []

1. HIWCF - Application Guidance. Available at: https://www.hiwcf.org.uk/grants/application-guidance/ []

1. HIWCF - Our People (Leadership and Trustees). Available at: https://hiwcf.org.uk/our-people/ []

1. HIWCF - Including Communities 2025 Program. Available at: https://hiwcf.org.uk/including-communities-2025/ []

1. On the Wight (2022) “Community Foundation injects £1.9 million to boost Hampshire and Isle of Wight Communities.” Available at: https://onthewight.com/community-foundation-injects-1-9-million-to-boost-hampshire-and-isle-of-wight-communities/ []

1. Action Hampshire (2024) “HIWCF - Including Communities Fund.” Available at: https://actionhampshire.org.uk/deadline-2024-10-01-hiwcf-including-communities-fund/ []

1. Portsmouth News (2024) "Hampshire & Isle of Wight non-profits face critical funding shortfall as demand for grants outstrips supply by 88%." Available at: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/community/hampshire-isle-of-wight-non-profits-face-critical-funding-shortfall-as-demand-for-grants-outstrips-supply-by-88-5344023 []

1. Charity Commission - HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. Charity Number: 1100417. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4003801 []

1. HIWCF CEO Blog posts and media coverage featuring quotes from Jacqui Scott regarding funding priorities and strategy (2021-2024)