H&f Giving

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £400,000+ distributed since March 2020
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approx. 4 months (panels meet 3 times yearly)
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £15,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Hammersmith & Fulham, London

Contact Details

Website: https://hfgiving.org.uk/

Email: team@hfgiving.org.uk | grants@hfgiving.org.uk

Phone: 07881 103827

Administrator Contact: Sophie (for grant queries)

Pre-application Support: Organizations are encouraged to contact grants@hfgiving.org.uk for the latest application guidance and support with completing forms.

Overview

H&F Giving (Charity No. 1187649, Company No. 11436689) was established in 2020 through a partnership between Hammersmith United Charities and Dr Edwards and Bishop King's Fulham Charity, marking mutual 400-year anniversary celebrations. The charity describes itself as "the go-to organisation for anyone who wants to understand local needs and work together to enrich the lives of H&F residents." Operating in one of London's most diverse and densely populated boroughs—home to the city's busiest foodbank and significant inequality—H&F Giving has distributed more than £400,000 in grants to local community groups since its inception. The organization's theory of change emphasizes partnership working, networking, listening and research, awareness raising, and fund distribution, working alongside approximately 500 grassroots groups in the borough.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Earls Court Community Fund

£180,000 annually, grants of £2,000-£15,000 (average £9,000), projects up to 12 months. Since inception, £720,000 has been granted to 37 local organisations. Two-stage application process with fixed deadlines. Managed in partnership with Kensington + Chelsea Foundation.

Winter Support Fund

£180,000 annually, grants up to £10,000. Administered on behalf of H&F Council to support households with food, fuel, and essential living costs during winter months. Organizations with a track record of supporting residents experiencing financial hardship are invited to apply. Fixed deadline, typically in early January.

Digital Support Fund

£20,000 total available, grants up to £2,500-£4,000 per organization. Supports projects addressing the digital divide including device/data provision and digital skills training. Priority groups include children, young people, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and refugee communities. Applications open periodically.

Priority Areas

• Community cohesion and connections: Bringing residents together, reducing isolation, building social networks
• Financial hardship support: Food security, energy bills, essential living costs for vulnerable residents
• Health and wellbeing: Projects promoting physical and mental health in the community
• Young people's development: Career skills, soft skills, and opportunities for youth
• Digital inclusion: Bridging the digital divide through devices, data access, and skills training
• Capacity building: Supporting the voluntary sector's ability to deliver services

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside Hammersmith & Fulham (except Earls Court Fund which focuses on the Earls Court Opportunity Area)
• Provision already funded by other LBHF council grants (for Winter Support Fund)
• Retrospective funding
• Projects not benefiting H&F residents primarily

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Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Louise Wilson, Executive Director: "We are delighted to administer the Winter Support Fund on behalf of H&F Council at a time when support is needed more than ever... the Council were able to unlock more funding at the end of year to support the vital work our community organisations are doing to support residents facing crisis and poverty this winter." Louise brings 15+ years of experience in leadership, fundraising, marketing across corporate, social enterprise, and charitable sectors.

Georgia Mehmet-Wright, Grants & Community Manager: Leads community engagement and grant-making with expertise in community power-sharing. Previously directed Mind's Communities Team and co-founded Brixton People's Kitchen.

Mary Lord, Administrator: Handles customer service and administrative functions.

Board of Trustees

Joanna Kennedy (Chair): Retired solicitor who founded Z2K, an advice and campaigning charity. Currently teaches English to refugees and chairs the National Youth Arts Trust.

Julian Hillman (Vice Chair): Former social worker and Mencap branch leader, long-time Hammersmith resident since 1978.

Helen Fagan: Grants manager with experience at Community Foundation Wales and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Chris Hammond: Former chemistry and physics teacher at Latymer Upper School; previously chaired Hammersmith United Charities grants committee.

Vivienne Lukey: 35-year borough resident; former Director of Specialist Social Services and chair of Hammersmith & Fulham Mind.

Hugo Sintes (Treasurer): 20+ years charity experience across UK, Latin America, and Africa with expertise in social housing and employment.

Grants Panel

Six community panelists—Cinzia D'Ambrosi, Iashia John, Jeannetta Orton, Louise Jones, Ramona Williams, and Trey Campbell-Simon—all long-term residents with lived experience of issues in the borough.

Patrons

Hugh Grant, Baroness Blower, Lord Dubs, Lord Willetts, David Goodhew (Latymer Upper School), and Andy Slaughter MP (Hammersmith).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are program-specific with online application forms available when funding rounds are open. H&F Giving emphasizes simplifying the application process and encourages prospective applicants to contact grants@hfgiving.org.uk for:

• Latest application guidance
• Eligibility clarification
• Support completing forms

Earls Court Community Fund: Two-stage process—first stage application followed by full application for shortlisted organizations.

Other funds: Single-stage online application forms.

Decision Timeline

Funding decisions are made by two community panels who live, work, or volunteer in the borough. Panels typically meet three times per year to consider applications, suggesting an approximate decision timeframe of 3-4 months depending on when applications are submitted relative to panel meeting schedules. Specific notification methods are not publicly detailed; applicants should expect email communication.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Earls Court Community Fund has awarded grants to 37 organizations over three years from a £720,000 total, averaging 12-13 organizations funded annually from that program.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed on the website. Organizations should contact grants@hfgiving.org.uk for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Criteria

Organizations that best demonstrate how grants will make a difference to H&F residents receive higher priority. Assessors focus on both organizational merit and the specific service or activity for which funding is sought.

Strong applications typically demonstrate:

1. Lived experience and resident involvement: Organizations must show that H&F residents and service users are involved in running and developing services. The panels themselves comprise residents with lived experience.

1. Track record in the borough: Particularly for support funds, organizations need to demonstrate established experience supporting residents experiencing relevant challenges (e.g., financial hardship for Winter Support Fund).

1. Clear local benefit: Explicit connection to H&F residents—whether they live, work, or study in the borough. For Earls Court Fund, activities must take place within the Earls Court Opportunity Area or demonstrate majority beneficiaries from that area.

1. Partnership and collaboration: H&F Giving encourages applications in partnership with other organizations delivering in H&F, particularly welcoming organizations that haven't previously received council funding.

1. Proper governance and compliance: Not-for-profit entities with signed governing documents, at least three unrelated trustees/directors, appropriate bank accounts, and required policies (safeguarding, health & safety, equality & diversity, appropriate insurance).

Examples of Funded Projects

• Dad's House (Fulham): £5,000 to cover winter bills for struggling families, including single dads experiencing job loss and family breakdown
• Shepherds Bush Families Project: £9,000 from Winter Wellbeing fund helping families caught between lack of housing and high rent charges
• White City Interfaith Partnership: Emergency food packages for families with support from Winter Wellbeing grant
• The Violence Intervention Project (VIP): Supporting young people to steer away from violence and rebuild lives
• Age UK Hammersmith and Fulham: £500 for delivering cooked meals to older people shielding or with underlying health issues
• Family Friends: £980 for four-week digital programme of group engagement and wellbeing for families

Tips for Standing Out

• Contact them early: Don't hesitate to reach out to grants@hfgiving.org.uk for clarification and support—they explicitly encourage this
• Demonstrate community voice: Show how residents with lived experience inform your work
• Be specific about H&F impact: Use local data and clearly articulate benefits to borough residents
• Consider partnerships: Joint applications with other local organizations are welcomed
• Complete compliance requirements: Ensure all policies, insurance, and governance documents are current
• Value for money: Small, volunteer-run groups or those with minimal paid staff are particularly encouraged for some programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Lived experience is paramount: H&F Giving's decision-making structure centers resident voices through community panels. Demonstrating how residents inform your work is critical.

1. Local focus required: You must serve Hammersmith & Fulham residents. Don't apply if your beneficiaries are primarily from elsewhere.

1. Multiple annual opportunities: With panels meeting three times yearly and various funds with different cycles, monitor their website regularly for new funding rounds.

1. Pre-application contact is encouraged: Unlike many funders, H&F Giving explicitly welcomes enquiries before applying. Use this to strengthen your application.

1. Partnership applications welcomed: Collaborative bids with other local organizations are actively encouraged, particularly for organizations new to council funding.

1. Expect 3-4 month decision timeline: Plan accordingly with panels meeting three times annually. Don't expect rapid turnaround.

1. Strong governance non-negotiable: Ensure your organization has proper constitution, trustee structure, bank account setup, and all required policies before applying.

References

1. H&F Giving Official Website - About Us. https://hfgiving.org.uk/about-us/ (Accessed: January 2025)
2. H&F Giving Official Website - Get Support. https://hfgiving.org.uk/get-support/ (Accessed: January 2025)
3. H&F Giving Official Website - Team. https://hfgiving.org.uk/team/ (Accessed: January 2025)
4. H&F Giving Official Website - Earls Court Community Fund 2025. https://hfgiving.org.uk/earls-court-community-fund-2025/ (Accessed: January 2025)
5. H&F Giving Official Website - Winter Support Fund 2024/25 Application Process. https://hfgiving.org.uk/winter-support-fund-2024-25-application-process/ (Accessed: January 2025)
6. H&F Giving Official Website - Digital Support Fund. https://hfgiving.org.uk/digital-support-fund/ (Accessed: January 2025)
7. Charity Commission Register of Charities - H&F Giving (1187649). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1187649&subId=0 (Accessed: January 2025)
8. London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham - "£10,000 in grants have been paid to local families thanks to H&F's Winter Wellbeing fund". https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2021/01/10000-grants-have-been-paid-local-families-thanks-hf-s-winter-wellbeing-fund (Accessed: January 2025)
9. H&F Giving - "Faith Leaders team up with H&F Giving to help out". https://hfgiving.org.uk/faith-leaders-team-up-with-hf-giving-to-help-out/ (Accessed: January 2025)
10. H&F Giving - “Hammersmith debt advice charity and nine other groups get cash boost”. https://hfgiving.org.uk/hammersmith-debt-advice-charity-and-nine-other-groups-get-cash-boost/ (Accessed: January 2025)