Hertfordshire Community Foundation

Charity Number: 1156082

Annual Expenditure: £5.0M
Geographic Focus: Hertfordshire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £5,000,000+ (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: £240 - £10,000 (typical programmes)
  • Geographic Focus: Hertfordshire only

Contact Details

Website: www.hertscf.org.uk

Email: office@hertscf.org.uk

Phone: 01707 251351

Grants Team: grants@hertscf.org.uk

Pre-Application Support: Available from Grants Team (01707 251351)

Overview

Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) was established in 1988 as an independent charity to encourage local philanthropy and support communities across Hertfordshire. The foundation has awarded over £35 million in grant aid support since inception, including over £5 million during 2023/24 alone.

HCF currently manages over 100 charitable funds on behalf of individuals, families, companies and other organisations, serving as an intermediary between donors and local causes. The foundation is part of a network of 47 community foundations across the UK and focuses on addressing “pockets of disadvantage in every district” of Hertfordshire, despite the county's overall prosperity.

Led by CEO Paul Robin (appointed in 2023, previously CEO of Lord's Taverners), HCF emphasises support for smaller grassroots organisations with deep community connections and knowledge of local issues. The foundation operates under the presidency of Robert Voss CBE CStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

HCF Grants

  • £5,000 grants: Rolling applications when funds available
  • £10,000 grants: Fixed rounds (e.g. Winter Round closes 5th December, decisions by February)
  • For projects addressing need and deprivation in Hertfordshire
  • Priority given to smaller grassroots groups

Household Support Fund for Groups

  • Up to £10,000
  • Deadline: 8 October 2025
  • Supports adults and families in need with food, fuel, water, and preventative support
  • Funded by Hertfordshire County Council

Hertfordshire Community Spaces

  • Up to £2,000
  • Deadline: 8 October 2025
  • Supports community groups to open spaces to the community
  • Funded by Hertfordshire County Council

Access to Music Grants

  • Up to £1,000
  • Rolling deadline
  • For charities, community groups, schools to improve music access for children/youth

Hertfordshire Community Transport Fund

  • Up to £500
  • Rolling deadline
  • Supports transportation to community activities

Green Herts - HCF Sustainability Fund

  • Up to £1,000
  • Rolling deadline
  • Helps voluntary organisations build sustainability

Hertfordshire Children's Fund

  • Variable amounts
  • Providing practical support to disadvantaged children and families

Priority Areas

  • Food and fuel poverty - Supporting families and individuals facing cost-of-living challenges
  • Social isolation - Projects connecting vulnerable residents with their communities
  • Mental health and wellbeing - Initiatives supporting those with mental health challenges
  • Domestic abuse survivors - Services for those affected by domestic violence
  • Homelessness and housing insecurity - Support for those at risk
  • Learning disabilities and chronic health issues - Services for disabled adults and children
  • Refugees and asylum seekers - Integration and support services
  • Bereavement support - Services for those experiencing loss
  • Community spaces and facilities - Creating accessible community venues
  • Environmental sustainability - Green initiatives and climate action

HCF prioritises smaller, local groups with in-depth knowledge of the issues they are addressing and the communities they serve. The majority of grant making goes to organisations with income under £100,000.

What They Don't Fund

  • National charities without a clear Hertfordshire focus
  • Businesses or Community Interest Companies limited by shares
  • Groups with more than one year's unrestricted reserves
  • Statutory organisations including schools, parish councils and CCGs
  • Groups with annual income over £1 million (rarely funded)
  • Projects that cannot spend funding within 12 months of award
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Governance and Leadership

Staff Team

Senior Leadership

  • Paul Robin - Chief Executive Officer
  • Helen Doubal - Head of Grants
  • Amanda Jansen - Head of Philanthropy
  • Linn Moyster - Finance Manager

Grants Team

  • Sarah Greene - Grants Manager
  • Nicola Stokes - Grants Manager: Major Donor
  • Toni Kitchingman - Grants Manager: Community Opportunities
  • Katie Purcell - Grants Manager: HAPpy programme
  • Maureen Palmer - Grants Co-ordinator
  • Christy Conroy - Grants Co-ordinator
  • Emma Dalton - HAPpy Grants Co-ordinator
  • Emma Simons - Team Administrator

Other Departments

  • Danielle Hood - Marketing & Communications Manager
  • Katie Spencer-Smith - Training and Development: Project Manager
  • Philippa Shaw - Training & Development: Project Co-ordinator
  • Naomi Kichenside - Training & Development: Marketing Co-ordinator
  • Alice Poole - Philanthropy Co-ordinator
  • Ingrid Dos Santos - Office Manager

Governance

President: Robert Voss CBE CStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire

Trustees

  • James Hopkins (Chair)
  • Jonathan Arrowsmith
  • Dr Sally Burton DL
  • Professor Penny Carey
  • Cllr Terry Douris
  • Suzy Harvey DL
  • Gus Machado
  • Syd Nadim
  • Meenal Sachdev
  • John Saner
  • Suzanne Westlake

The foundation maintains that no trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through HCF's online grant portal accessible via their website (www.hertscf.org.uk/grant-making). The specific application method varies by programme:

  • Rolling programmes: Applications accepted continuously while funds available
  • Fixed deadlines: Specific closing dates announced in advance
  • Application support: Grants Team available to discuss eligibility and provide guidance (01707 251351 or grants@hertscf.org.uk)

Pre-Application Requirements:

  • Review grant criteria and due diligence documents before applying
  • Ensure organisation has a written constitution or governing document including aims, objectives, and dissolution clause/asset lock
  • Minimum of three trustees/management committee members, at least two unrelated
  • Based in Hertfordshire OR able to demonstrate specific benefit to Hertfordshire residents

Note: Organisations can only hold one HCF Foundation Grant at a time.

Decision Timeline

  • £5,000 grants: Approximately 8 weeks (2 months) from application to decision
  • £10,000 grants: Approximately 8-12 weeks (decisions typically 2-3 months after closing date)
  • Applications reviewed by Grants Committee
  • All applicants notified of decision
  • Funding must be spent within 12 months of award

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, HCF data shows:

  • 1,390 grants awarded to organisations between December 2017 and March 2024
  • Total of £10.7 million distributed to 567 different recipients
  • Over £420k awarded through Government Household Support Fund in the last 12 months
  • Focus on supporting small organisations suggests selective but accessible grantmaking

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated. Contact the Grants Team for guidance on reapplying if initially unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

What HCF Looks For

HCF seeks projects that:

  1. Address identified need - Clearly demonstrate understanding of a specific local need or gap in provision
  2. Show tangible impact - Articulate clear objectives and measurable outcomes showing how funds will make a positive difference
  3. Are well-planned - Present well-thought-through proposals with appropriate costings
  4. Have community connection - Demonstrate strong links to and understanding of the communities being served
  5. Can deliver quickly - Able to spend funding within 12 months of award
  6. Serve vulnerable residents - Focus on those facing multiple challenges (low income, isolation, health issues, etc.)
  7. Represent grassroots knowledge - Smaller organisations with in-depth understanding of local issues

Recent Funded Projects

HCF has funded thousands of local initiatives addressing:

  • Domestic abuse support services
  • Learning disability programmes
  • Bereavement counselling
  • Homelessness prevention
  • Mental health interventions
  • Food and fuel poverty relief
  • Community space improvements
  • Music access for disadvantaged young people
  • Environmental sustainability projects

Over the last 12 months, grants exceeding £420k created vital community spaces and provided essential aid to those struggling with fuel and food poverty through the Government Household Support Fund.

Language and Terminology

HCF uses accessible, community-focused language emphasising:

  • “Grassroots charities and voluntary groups”
  • “Pockets of disadvantage”
  • “Most vulnerable residents”
  • “Local philanthropy”
  • “Making a positive difference”
  • “Well connected to communities”
  • “Identified need”

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Emphasise local knowledge - Demonstrate deep understanding of Hertfordshire communities and specific local needs
  2. Show community connection - Highlight relationships with beneficiaries and community engagement
  3. Keep it realistic - Ensure budget is appropriate and project scope achievable within 12 months
  4. Focus on vulnerability - Clearly articulate how project serves those facing multiple challenges
  5. Be specific about outcomes - Move beyond activities to demonstrate measurable positive change
  6. Consider training - If new to fundraising, HCF offers Training and Development courses
  7. Seek pre-application advice - Contact Grants Team early to discuss fit and approach
  8. Align with current priorities - Review active fund programmes and strategic focus areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Small is beautiful - HCF actively prioritises smaller grassroots organisations (under £100k income) with deep local knowledge over larger national charities
  2. Hertfordshire-specific benefit is essential - Must either be based in Hertfordshire or clearly demonstrate how funding benefits county residents
  3. Only one grant at a time - Cannot hold multiple HCF Foundation Grants simultaneously; ensure timing is strategic
  4. 12-month delivery window - Projects must be capable of spending grant within one year of award; avoid long-term planning projects
  5. Relationship building matters - Grants Team actively encourages pre-application discussions; use this resource to strengthen applications
  6. Multiple funding streams available - Explore various programmes (HCF Grants, themed funds, corporate partnerships) rather than limiting to one opportunity
  7. Demonstrate vulnerability focus - Strongest applications serve people facing multiple interconnected challenges (poverty, isolation, health issues, etc.)

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