Somerset Community Foundation

Charity Number: 1094446

Annual Expenditure: £4.0M
Geographic Focus: Somerset

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £4 million
  • Success Rate: 67% (approximately 2 out of 3 applications)
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks to 8 months (depending on grant size)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Somerset (excluding Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.somersetcf.org.uk
  • Email: info@somersetcf.org.uk
  • Phone: 01749 344949
  • Support: Friendly team available to help with applications, accessibility requirements, or if English isn't your first language

Overview

Founded in 2002, Somerset Community Foundation is a grant-making charity that has awarded over £31 million to thousands of local charities and community groups across Somerset. Their mission is to “help passionate people in Somerset change the world on their doorstep by funding local causes and inspiring local giving and philanthropy.” With an annual distribution of approximately £4 million, they support around 400 local groups every year, focusing primarily on smaller grassroots organizations with incomes under £500,000, and most commonly those running on under £100,000 annually. Their average grant is under £5,000. In 2021, they launched their strategic plan “Thriving Somerset Communities” (2021-2025), emphasizing support for historically underfunded communities, including organizations led by minority groups, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and those in deprived or isolated areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Foundation Main Grants

  • Smaller capital and project grants: up to £5,000
  • Larger capital grants: £5,000 - £50,000 (usually paid over 2-3 years)
  • Average grant: under £5,000
  • Application method: Rolling online applications, decisions at quarterly panels
  • Decision timeline: 6 weeks after panel decision for standard grants

Somerset Social Investment Programme

  • Blended finance: £10,000 - £40,000
  • Structure: Usually two-part loan and one-part grant (final split decided case-by-case)
  • For social enterprises and community organizations

Discovery Community Fund

  • Grants up to £10,000 for groups supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism
  • Up to £500 for individual adults with learning disabilities and autism

Individual Support Programs

  • Training and Employment Support Grants for individuals aged 11-30
  • University bursaries
  • Average individual grant: around £600 (typically not exceeding £2,500)

Special Funds

  • The Somerset Fund: Over £500,000 awarded since 2019
  • Waste Not Somerset Fund: Supporting food waste reduction projects
  • Hinkley Point C Community Fund: Over £4 million awarded since 2017
  • Wessex Water Foundation Community Fund
  • Various area-specific funds (e.g., Ilminster Area Fund: £20,000 over 3 years or up to £10,000 for 1-year projects)

Priority Areas

  • Community Support Services: Food banks, community cafés, warm spaces, services for isolated older people
  • Youth Services: Activities for disadvantaged young people, preventing anti-social behavior, education and employment support
  • Health and Wellbeing: Mental health counseling, dementia support, support for visually impaired people
  • Environmental Sustainability: Food waste reduction, community gardens, ecological projects
  • Family Support: Early help services, support for families with young children
  • Community Facilities: Equipment and capital improvements for community buildings
  • Arts and Culture: Community engagement through arts and heritage projects
  • Priority for: Smaller grassroots groups, organizations led by people from the communities they serve, groups that have received little or no charitable funding in the past, projects that connect or complement existing services

What They Don't Fund

  • Animal welfare (unless projects clearly benefit people in the wider community, such as horse therapy)
  • Medical research, equipment, or treatment
  • Political groups or activities intending to influence political parties
  • Activities to influence people's religious choices
  • Statutory responsibilities that government and public bodies are required to provide
  • Retrospective funding for expenses already incurred
  • Places of worship repairs unless there's clear evidence of regular use by the wider community
  • Organizations with more than 12 months running costs in free reserves (unless justified by reserve policy)
  • Groups earning over £5,000 annually that aren't registered with the Charity Commission
  • Replacement of all previous government/local authority funding (though they may consider partial support)
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Directors:

  • Andy: Programmes Director (joined January 2016, promoted to Director December 2022)
  • Laura: Philanthropy Director (joined January 2019)
  • Kelly: Operations Director (appointed February 2025)

Trustees

The Foundation operates with volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Values and Approach

The Foundation is guided by five core values:

  1. Here for everyone
  2. Drive equity
  3. Act with integrity
  4. Lead with kindness
  5. Strive to be better

In their messaging, the Foundation emphasizes: "Lasting change starts and finishes within our communities, and we'll do everything we can here at the Foundation to walk alongside them." They position themselves as committed to transforming lives and communities in Somerset, knowledgeable about local issues, and far-sighted in their long-term commitment to communities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Application Method: Online application form available on their website (can be submitted at any time)
  • Rolling Basis: Applications accepted year-round
  • Support Available: Contact their team if you need help with the application, have accessibility requirements, or if English isn't your first language
  • No Cost: Applications are free

Decision Timeline

Standard Foundation Grants:

  • Decisions made at quarterly grants panel meetings
  • Grants awarded within 6 weeks of panel decision (includes donor consultation)

Smaller Grants:

  • Decision time: 10-12 weeks

Larger Multi-Year Grants (over £10,000):

  • Decisions every 3 months
  • Grants over £50,000: approximately 8 months to decision

Individual Training/Employment Grants:

  • Monthly decision meetings
  • Notification within 2 months

Success Rates

Somerset Community Foundation supports around 2 out of every 3 applications (approximately 67% success rate). Groups that have previously received grants and provided timely, thorough reporting are more likely to be successful.

Reapplication Policy

No specific waiting period mentioned in available sources. The Foundation's approach suggests unsuccessful applicants can reapply, particularly given their rolling application system and emphasis on supporting local groups.

Application Success Factors

Minimum Standards Required

Organizational Structure:

  • Charities: At least 3 unrelated trustees registered with the Charity Commission
  • Community groups: Governing document with charitable aims benefiting the wider public
  • Groups earning over £5,000 annually must be registered with the Charity Commission

Financial Requirements:

  • Bank account with 2+ unrelated signatories
  • Up-to-date annual accounts
  • Less than 12 months of running costs in free reserves (or justified reserve policy)

Safeguarding Policy (must include):

  • Dated within last 12 months
  • Definitions of abuse
  • Named safeguarding lead
  • Staff/volunteer training documentation
  • Confirmation of background checks

Key Success Factors

Strong Alignment:

  • Priority given to smaller groups running on under £250,000 annually (most funding goes to groups under £100,000)
  • Organizations led by people from the communities they serve
  • Groups with little or no previous charitable funding
  • Projects that connect or complement existing services in the area

Reporting Track Record:

  • Groups that have previously received grants and provided timely, thorough reporting are explicitly stated as more likely to be successful

Application Quality:

  • Write in clear, simple English – avoid jargon
  • Focus on community impact and storytelling
  • Demonstrate genuine community benefit that's open to everyone
  • Show how the project addresses local needs

Recent Funded Projects (2023/24 Examples)

  • Sweet Track Counselling Agency CIC: Subsidizing community counseling sessions in Glastonbury
  • Home-Start West Somerset: Three grants for increasing capacity of early help service for families with young children
  • Food bank support: £6,350 towards food supplies for cost-of-living crisis
  • Victoria Park Community Centre Local Pantry: Prevented 2.45 tonnes of food waste in 5 months (May-September 2024)
  • Youth anti-social behavior prevention: Equipment updates to engage young people in positive activities
  • Museum outreach: Taking artifacts to care homes in the Wells area
  • Support for visually impaired people in Bridgwater and west Somerset
  • Transport for older people in Wellington to combat isolation

Advice from the Foundation

“Write in clear simple English – avoid jargon. Writing an application can take a while and competition is always high, so getting plenty of practice is key to successful grant applications.”

The Foundation emphasizes they are “here for everyone” and encourages applicants to contact them for support with applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the right fund: With multiple specialized programs available, ensure you're applying to the most appropriate one for your project and organization size
  • Demonstrate community leadership: Priority is given to organizations led by people from the communities they serve – emphasize grassroots connections and lived experience
  • Build a track record: If this is your first application, apply for smaller amounts to build a reporting relationship; previous grantees with good reporting are more likely to succeed
  • Keep it simple: Write in clear, accessible language without jargon; the Foundation values authentic community voices
  • Show comprehensive impact: Connect your project to broader community needs and demonstrate how it complements existing services
  • Get help if needed: Don't hesitate to contact the Foundation's team for guidance – they actively offer support for applicants
  • Meet all minimum standards: Ensure safeguarding policies, financial management, and organizational governance meet their requirements before applying – incomplete applications won't be considered

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