Hinkley Point C Community Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_E4BFDB0C

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Total Fund: £20 million
  • Awarded to Date: Over £18 million (including £10.2 million managed by Somerset Community Foundation)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 67% (2 out of every 3 applications for Small Grants)
  • Decision Time: 3 months (Small and Open Grants under £50k); 8 months (grants over £50k)
  • Grant Range: £200 - £1,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Somerset (particularly Sedgemoor and Somerset West & Taunton areas affected by HPC construction)
  • Annual Distribution: Over £1 million per year

Contact Details

Website: www.somersetcf.org.uk/grants-and-funding/hpc-community-fund/

Phone: 01749 344949 or 01749 597135

Email: amelia.thompson@somersetcf.org.uk

Key Contact: Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager

Pre-Application Support: Book a 30-minute introductory meeting with the team to discuss eligibility and project ideas

Overview

The Hinkley Point C Community Fund was established in 2017 to mitigate the “residual and intangible” impacts of the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station on local Somerset communities. EDF committed £20 million to support the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of affected areas, with the fund managed by Somerset Community Foundation. Since launching, the fund has awarded over £18 million to charities, voluntary groups, councils, and social enterprises across Somerset. The fund operates throughout the construction phase, expected to continue until at least 2027, with grants ranging from £200 to over £1 million. Awards are decided by a panel comprising representatives from Somerset Community Foundation, Somerset Council, EDF, and independent community members. The fund has supported diverse projects including sports facilities, healthcare services, community buildings, skills training, and cultural initiatives across communities like Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, and surrounding villages.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme

  • Amount: Up to £10,000 for one year, or up to £20,000 over three years
  • Target: Local groups normally operating on budgets under £250,000
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with 6 deadlines per year
  • Decision Time: 3 months

Open Grants Programme

  • Amount: Multi-year grants over £10,000 per year; grants from £5,000 to £49,999; grants over £50,000 available
  • Target: Charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises, and councils
  • Application Method: Open year-round with quarterly deadlines
  • Decision Time: 3 months for under £50k; 8 months for over £50k

Priority Areas

The fund supports projects that:

  • Remove or reduce impacts of HPC construction on communities
  • Offset impacts by improving community wellbeing and quality of life
  • Support communities experiencing residual and intangible construction impacts
  • Enhance social, economic, or environmental wellbeing

Funding preference given to groups that:

  • Are located in significantly impacted communities (particularly Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, and surrounding villages)
  • Have wide local support
  • Directly address HPC construction impacts
  • Collaborate with other organizations
  • Demonstrate strong value for money
  • Plan for sustainability beyond the funding period

Successfully funded project types include:

  • Sports and recreation facilities (tennis clubs, memorial grounds, village halls)
  • Healthcare and social services (hospice care, family support services)
  • Skills training and employment programmes (metalworking workshops, vocational training)
  • Community buildings and infrastructure (theatre kitchens, community gyms, bowling clubs)
  • Youth services and cultural diversity initiatives

What They Don't Fund

The fund requires applicants to demonstrate a charitable purpose. Private companies cannot normally apply, though Community Benefit Societies registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and existing primarily for community benefit may be eligible.

Applicants must clearly evidence the impact Hinkley Point C construction has had, or is having, on their community. Projects must serve communities within the defined Area of Benefit affected by the construction.

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Governance and Leadership

Somerset Community Foundation Management:

  • Justin Sargent OBE DL: Chief Executive, joined 2005, led establishment of HPC Community Fund. Recognized with OBE for services to the community in Somerset (2021) and appointed Deputy Lieutenant (2023). Sargent stated: "We'd be really interested to hear from anyone who can bring their life experience to support our grant-making."
  • Amelia Thompson: Senior Programmes Manager, joined October 2022, specifically manages HPC Community Fund and Somerset Social Enterprise Fund delivery
  • Andy Ridgewell: Programmes Director, oversees programmes team and grant delivery
  • Michael Samuel MBE: Chair of Trustees (from October 2022)

Awards Panel: Final funding decisions made by panel comprising representatives from Somerset Community Foundation, Somerset Council, EDF, and independent community members with local knowledge. Panel particularly seeks members with insights into communities closest to Hinkley Point C, especially areas west of the site.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Check Eligibility: Use the online eligibility checker at Somerset Community Foundation website
  2. Pre-Application Support: Contact Amelia Thompson (01749 597135 or amelia.thompson@somersetcf.org.uk) or book a 30-minute introductory meeting to discuss project ideas
  3. Gather Evidence: Use data from Socio-Economic Advisory Group (SEAG) reports to support applications demonstrating HPC impacts
  4. Complete Online Application: Fill in online application form with supporting documents
  5. Assessment: Team member assesses application, reviews supporting documents, checks Charity Commission and website, may contact with questions
  6. Panel Decision: Recommendation made to Awards Panel for final decision

Special Note: Projects benefiting the parish of Otterhampton should contact Amelia Thompson directly.

Decision Timeline

  • Small Grants and Open Grants (under £50k): Decisions made every 3 months from deadline
  • Open Grants (over £50k): Approximately 8 months to reach decision
  • Application Deadlines: 6 deadlines throughout the year
  • Notification: Via email following panel decision

Success Rates

Somerset Community Foundation typically supports 2 out of every 3 applications (approximately 67% success rate) for the Small Grants programme. Since 2017, the fund has awarded over £18 million to organizations, with grants ranging from £200 to over £1,000,000, supporting hundreds of projects.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Applicants are encouraged to contact Somerset Community Foundation directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Evidence of Impact is Critical

Applications must clearly demonstrate the impact Hinkley Point C construction has had on the community. Use SEAG reports and local data to strengthen this evidence. Projects can either directly address construction impacts or offset them by improving other aspects of community wellbeing.

Geographic Proximity Matters

Funding preference goes to communities most significantly impacted by construction, particularly Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Otterhampton, and surrounding villages. Demonstrate proximity to and clear connection with construction impacts.

Community Support and Collaboration

Show wide local support for your project and evidence of collaboration with other organizations. The panel values projects that bring communities together and avoid duplication.

Value for Money and Sustainability

Applications should demonstrate strong value for money and include clear plans for sustainability beyond the funding period. Show how the project will continue to benefit the community long-term.

Pre-Application Engagement

Take advantage of the foundation's pre-application support. The team actively encourages applicants to discuss projects before applying, offering 30-minute consultations and guidance on eligibility.

Meet Minimum Standards

Ensure your organization meets Somerset Community Foundation's minimum standards for governance, financial management, and safeguarding. Use their online eligibility checker before applying.

Recent Successful Projects

  • Avenue Tennis Club: £45,000 for LED lighting installation
  • Williton Memorial Ground: £250,000 for new memorial ground and pavilion
  • Wembdon Village Hall: £250,000 for new village hall construction
  • Weston Hospicecare: £150,000 for community nursing capacity
  • St Margaret's Hospice: £132,294 for community nursing teams
  • PROMISEworks: £110,000 for three-year Bridgwater/Sedgemoor programme
  • Burnham Evolution Project: £350,000
  • Cheddar Community Pavilion: £320,000
  • North Petherton community gym: £300,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Demonstrate Clear HPC Impact: Your strongest asset is evidence showing how HPC construction has affected your community. Use SEAG reports and local data to build this case convincingly.
  • Engage Early and Often: Contact Amelia Thompson before applying. The foundation actively supports applicants through the process and can guide you on eligibility and project design.
  • Choose the Right Programme: Small Grants (under £20k over 3 years) have a 67% success rate and 3-month decisions. Larger grants take 8 months. Select the programme that matches your project scale and timeline needs.
  • Geographic Focus is Key: Projects in Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Otterhampton, and immediately surrounding areas have the strongest geographic alignment. Be specific about location and local impact.
  • Show Sustainability and Value: The panel wants to see projects that will continue benefiting communities beyond the funding period and deliver strong value for the investment.
  • Collaborative Approaches Win: Projects demonstrating collaboration with other organizations and wide community support are favored. Avoid duplicating existing services.
  • Understand the Timeline: With 6 deadlines per year and 3-month decision times (for most grants), plan your application to align with project start dates. Applications over £50k need 8-month lead time.

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