Lincolnshire Community Foundation Cio

Charity Number: 1196448

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £24 million total distributed since 2002
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (Independent panel review)
  • Grant Range: £150 - £24,999
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Lincolnshire

Contact Details

Website: www.lincolnshirecf.co.uk

Email: sue@lincolnshirecf.co.uk

Phone: 01529 305825

Pre-Application Support: The Foundation strongly encourages applicants to contact them before applying for guidance on the most suitable approach. Staff are available at every step of the process.

Overview

Founded in 2002, Lincolnshire Community Foundation CIO (registered as charity 1196448, previously 1092328) has distributed over £24 million to more than 4,000 charities, community groups, and local organisations throughout Greater Lincolnshire. With unrestricted reserves of approximately £1.8 million, the Foundation's mission is “to create a county of thriving places where the people that live there are healthy, happy, resilient and empowered.” Led by CEO Sue Fortune, who has been with the organisation since its inception, the Foundation focuses on supporting smaller, locally-led groups that typically receive less support. Their strategic approach combines long-term endowment building, grant making, social investment, and practical support. The Foundation addresses critical local issues including child poverty, loneliness and isolation, food poverty, homelessness, access to services, addiction, and unemployment. Their recent GRASSroots scheme has invested £1.9 million leading to a total community investment of £2.9 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

UK Shared Prosperity GRASSroots Grants Fund

  • £10,000 - £24,999 (Boston Borough and East Lindsey)
  • Up to £10,000 (South Holland)
  • Focus: Strengthening social fabric, building pride in place, improving community facilities
  • Available to charities, community groups, sports clubs, parish councils

Michael Cornish Core Grants Programme

  • Amount varies by specific fund component
  • Focus: Core operational support for community organisations

Evan Cornish Grassroots Fund

  • Up to £6,000
  • Deadline: 1st October 2025
  • Focus: Improving wellbeing, easing distress and isolation

Community Safety and Crime Reduction Fund

  • Up to £5,000
  • Rolling basis
  • Focus: Initiatives addressing community safety and crime reduction

Wind Farm Community Funds

  • Bicker Wind Farm Trust: Up to £5,000 (Deadlines: 1st October and 1st April annually)
  • Triton Knoll Offshore Community Wind Farm Fund
  • Laceby Solar Farm Fund
  • Focus: Environmental improvements, renewable energy projects within specified geographic radius

Bishop of Lincoln's Social Justice Fund

  • Up to £3,000
  • Focus: Addressing social injustice, poverty, loneliness

SWEF Enterprise Grants

  • Up to £2,000 (pre-revenue capped at £500)
  • Rolling basis
  • For young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 in Greater Lincolnshire

Make-A-StarT (MAST) Programme

  • Up to £150 per individual
  • Rolling basis
  • For 16+ removing financial barriers to employment/education

The Big Lincolnshire Welcome Fund

  • Individuals: Up to £150
  • Families: Up to £300
  • Focus: Supporting Ukrainian refugees

Priority Areas

  • Community facilities improvement and capital projects
  • Health and wellbeing initiatives
  • Combating loneliness and social isolation
  • Child poverty and family support
  • Food poverty
  • Employment and skills training
  • Youth development and entrepreneurship
  • Community safety
  • Environmental improvements linked to renewable energy
  • Support for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects promoting religious or political beliefs (places of worship can apply if demonstrably open to all faiths and the wider community)
  • Activities duplicating pre-existing private or public sector funding
  • Statutory responsibilities that applicants have a duty to undertake
  • Projects requiring substantial capacity building (e.g., specialist recruitment)
  • Projects without local consultation (for capital projects like play equipment)
  • Applicants with limited track record in local delivery (for some programs)
  • Projects that cannot complete and report by specified deadlines (program-specific)
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Sue Fortune, CEO - With the Foundation since its inception in 2002, Sue is renowned throughout Lincolnshire for her commitment to community groups and has been instrumental in delivering millions in grant aid. She emphasizes that “Staff will be available at every step of the process” and encourages early contact: “I would encourage anyone who is considering submitting an application to do so as soon as possible.”

Trustees

Lizzie - Former Princes Trust Lincolnshire chair (10 years), now oversees the Make-a-Start programme for the Foundation

Paula - Nearly 30 years in banking, specializing in governance and risk management; leads the Foundation's Domestic Abuse response

Paul - Former director of Grimsby Enterprise Agency and National Federation of Enterprise Agencies; long-standing trustee and previous chairman

John - Former CEO of Kleinwort Hambros Bank, joined end of 2020

Nick - Financial background including Chief Financial Officer roles

Danielle - Senior Community Co-ordinator at Lincolnshire Co-op

Lynnette - Over 34 years in charity work and management

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Pre-Application Contact: Strongly recommended - contact the Foundation to discuss your project before applying
  2. Read Grant Guidelines: Ensure eligibility and have all governance documents in place
  3. Complete Application Form: Available on website for specific grant programs
  4. Submit Supporting Documents: As specified in grant guidelines
  5. Independent Panel Review: Applications reviewed by independent panel
  6. Decision Notification: Applicants notified of decision
  7. Funding Release: Upon approval and completion of formalities
  8. Post-Grant Monitoring: End of grant monitoring form required

Application Methods: Vary by program - some rolling basis (MAST, SWEF, Community Safety), others fixed deadlines (Bicker Wind Farm: 1st October and 1st April; Evan Cornish: 1st October 2025)

Decision Timeline

Timeline varies by program. Applications are reviewed by independent panels. The Foundation aims for efficient processing but specific timeframes are not publicly stated - contact them directly for program-specific timelines.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Foundation has successfully distributed £24 million to over 4,000 organisations since 2002, demonstrating substantial reach and impact.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly stated. The Foundation welcomes feedback from all applicants regardless of success and encourages discussion before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

Sue Fortune, CEO: “Staff will be available at every step of the process” - emphasizing their commitment to supporting applicants throughout.

The Foundation explicitly states they “take pride in accessibility to representatives from groups seeking grant opportunities and urge interested applicants to reach out before applying so they can provide guidance and support on the most suitable approach.”

Recently Funded Projects (2024 Examples)

Community Infrastructure:

  • Burgh Angling Society: £5,662.46 for sheltered area, picnic benches, pathways, and biodiversity improvements
  • Moulton Windmill: £5,840 for replacement windows, heaters, and equipment
  • Alvingham Village Hall: Heating and ventilation system
  • Horncastle & District Community Association: Window replacement
  • Whaplode Village Hall: New chairs

Community Services:

  • East Lincolnshire Food Collective: Food distribution project
  • North Thoresby Community Orchard: Community orchard space
  • Skegness Islamic Centre: Capital works to community spaces
  • Citizens Advice Service Lincolnshire: IT infrastructure upgrade

Health and Wellbeing:

  • Horncastle Parkrun: Set up and running costs
  • Crowland Leisure Centre: Gym equipment expansion

Skills and Employment:

  • Steadfast Training's Connect2Grow: Skills training for unemployed individuals

Key Success Factors

  1. Pre-Application Engagement: Contact the Foundation before applying - this is strongly encouraged and can significantly improve application quality
  2. Local Impact Focus: Demonstrate clear benefit to people living in Greater Lincolnshire, particularly vulnerable groups
  3. Community Consultation: Essential for capital projects - show evidence of local consultation and support
  4. Track Record: Demonstrate experience in local delivery and organizational capacity
  5. Realistic Planning: Ensure projects can be delivered within specified timeframes with clear reporting capabilities
  6. Avoid Duplication: Show your project fills a genuine gap and doesn't duplicate existing provision
  7. Social Media Engagement: Be prepared to promote and celebrate your award - the Foundation values visibility of impact
  8. Clear Beneficiary Focus: Articulate how your project will improve lives and wellbeing in specific, measurable ways

Language and Terminology

The Foundation uses language emphasizing:

  • “Thriving places” and “empowered” communities
  • “Grassroots” delivery and local leadership
  • “Transform local communities” with “long-lasting impact”
  • “Pride in place” and “social fabric”
  • Supporting the “vulnerable and isolated”
  • Focus on “wellbeing,” “health,” and “happiness”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact them first: Pre-application discussion is strongly encouraged and can significantly improve success - use this accessible resource
  • Think long-term impact: The Foundation seeks projects that transform communities with lasting effects, not short-term fixes
  • Demonstrate local roots: Strong track record of local delivery and community connection is valued over external or inexperienced applicants
  • Match the right fund: With 16+ different grant programs, finding the best fit is crucial - Foundation staff can guide this
  • Plan for visibility: Be prepared to actively promote your award and celebrate impact through social media and local media
  • Capital projects need consultation: Don't apply for equipment or facilities without demonstrating community consultation first
  • Flexibility on deadlines: Mix of rolling and fixed deadline programs provides options - apply when ready but don't delay unnecessarily
  • Geographic targeting matters: Many funds have specific geographic restrictions (wind farm radius, district councils) - ensure eligibility

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References