Suez Communities Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_4417B7E8

Annual Expenditure: £1.8M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1.8 million (£1.6m England, £200K Scotland)
  • Success Rate: Primary Fund varies by region; Smaller Projects Fund has 25% higher success rate in England, 50% higher in Scotland
  • Decision Time: 5-16 weeks from Stage 2 submission
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £50,000 (England); £3,000 - £20,000 (Scotland)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Scotland - projects must be within designated funding zones near SUEZ landfill sites

Contact Details

Grantscape (Fund Administrator)

Alternative arrangements available for groups unable to complete online applications - contact Grantscape directly.

Overview

The SUEZ Communities Fund was established in 1997 and operates through the Landfill Communities Fund (England) and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, distributing contributions from SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK. Since January 2023, the fund has been administered by the independent charity Grantscape Ltd, having previously been managed by SUEZ Communities Trust Ltd (Charity No. 1146823). The fund distributes approximately £1.8 million annually across England and Scotland, supporting capital improvements to community and environmental amenities. Since its inception, the fund has supported nearly 400 projects in Surrey alone, with over £8.2 million distributed in that region. The fund is highly competitive, receiving significantly more applications than can be supported, making strategic alignment and strong applications essential for success.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

England - Two Funding Tiers:

  • Smaller Projects Fund: £3,000 - £20,000 (higher success rate)
  • Primary Fund: £20,001 - £50,000

Scotland - Two Funding Tiers:

  • Smaller Projects Fund: £3,000 - £10,000 (higher success rate)
  • Primary Fund: £10,001 - £20,000

Application Method: Two-stage online application process with four fixed annual deadlines. Stage 1 applications reviewed within 5 working days; successful applicants invited to submit Stage 2 within 12 weeks. Decision made 5-16 weeks after Stage 2 submission.

Priority Areas

The fund exclusively supports capital projects focusing on physical improvements to identified sites, including:

  • Sports fields and facilities (pitches, floodlights, changing rooms)
  • Play areas and active recreation spaces
  • Historic buildings, structures, and monuments
  • Biodiversity and environmental conservation projects (boardwalks, accessible paths)
  • Community halls and centres (renovation and refurbishment)

All funded projects must be available to the general public meeting minimum access requirements: 4 evenings per week, OR 2 days per week, OR 104 days per year.

What They Don't Fund

  • Staff posts or salaries
  • Organizational running costs
  • Project management fees
  • Design fees
  • Training or events
  • Vehicles
  • Projects on school sites
  • Projects covering multiple sites
  • Work already commenced before grant award

Geographic Restrictions

England: Projects must be located within designated funding zones surrounding one of 80 qualifying SUEZ landfill sites.

Scotland: Projects must be located in Scotland (broader geographic eligibility).

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is administered by Grantscape Ltd, an independent grant-making charity specializing in community fund management. SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK provides the funding contributions through landfill tax credits. Applications are assessed by SUEZ Communities Trust project managers who conduct site visits as part of the evaluation process.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Reviewed within 5 working days
  • Applicants notified if project meets funding criteria
  • Must be submitted within 12 weeks of Stage 1 invitation
  • Submit by one of four annual deadlines
  • Includes site visit from project manager
  1. Online Portal: Applications must be submitted online via Grantscape portal; no alternative formats accepted (unless specific accessibility arrangements made in advance)

Decision Timeline

Stage 1: 5 working days for initial review

Stage 2 to Decision: 5-16 weeks after deadline

England Example Deadlines:

  • 14 May deadline → decision by end July
  • 3 September deadline → decision by end November

Scotland Example Deadlines:

  • 19 November deadline → decision by early February
  • 18 February deadline → decision by end April

Project Completion Timeframes

England: Must start within 3 months and complete within 12 months of grant award

Scotland: Must start within 6 months and complete within 12 months of grant award

Success Rates

The scheme is highly competitive with many more applications received than can be supported.

Smaller Projects Fund: Significantly higher success rates

  • England: 25% higher success rate than Primary Fund
  • Scotland: 50% higher success rate than Primary Fund

Success rates favor smaller grant requests, making the Smaller Projects tier strategically advantageous where project budgets allow.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful Applications: Organizations cannot reapply for the same project site for 2 years from the date of rejection.

Previously Funded Projects: Organizations that received a grant cannot apply for a new project at the same site until 3 years have elapsed from the date the previous funding agreement was signed.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements

Before Applying:

  • Obtain 3 comparable quotes to establish accurate project costs
  • Secure all required consents (planning permission, Faculty approval, etc.) - submitted but unapproved applications will not be accepted
  • Ensure site ownership or lease with minimum 5 years remaining
  • Have a written constitution, governing document, and organizational bank account
  • Identify potential Contributing Third Party (CTP) donor

Contributing Third Party (CTP) Requirement

Every grant requires a CTP donation to release funding:

  • England: £11.50 CTP donation releases £100 of grant funding (11.5%)
  • Scotland: £12.00 CTP donation releases £100 of grant funding (12%)

Eligible CTP Contributors: Community donations, individuals, councils (County, Borough, Parish), 'Friends of' groups, supporters. The applicant organization can contribute if not a registered Environmental Body.

Key Restriction: CTP donors cannot gain unique benefit from the funded project.

Strategic Advantages

  1. Apply to Smaller Projects tier where possible - significantly higher success rates
  2. Demonstrate community fundraising efforts - particularly important in Scotland where this is explicitly prioritized
  3. Focus on capital/physical improvements - equipment, materials, contractor fees for construction
  4. Ensure robust public access plans - clear demonstration of how the 104-day minimum will be met
  5. Secure CTP donor early - have this confirmed before applying to strengthen application

Recently Funded Projects (Examples)

England:

  • Bristol West Indian Phoenix Cricket Club: £42,724 for new pitches
  • Chesterfield Borough Council: £45,000 for play area refurbishment
  • Halifax Rugby Union Football Club: £31,685 for floodlights
  • Pucklechurch Parish Council: £40,000 for active play equipment
  • Worsley Cricket Club: £42,635 for changing room renovation

Scotland:

  • Longforgan Bowling Club: £50,000 for roof and building renovation
  • Mid Deeside Community Trust: £50,000 for accessible paths
  • Forthill Community Sports Club: £50,000 for outdoor court redevelopment

These examples demonstrate the fund's strong support for sports facilities, community infrastructure, and accessibility improvements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start with Smaller Projects tier - success rates are 25-50% higher than Primary Fund; only request larger amounts if truly necessary
  • Secure CTP donor early - this 11.5-12% co-funding requirement must be identified in application; demonstrate commitment from community supporters
  • Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable - verify project location falls within active funding zone using Grantscape's eligibility checker before investing time in application
  • Capital improvements only - resist temptation to include any revenue costs (salaries, running costs, management fees); focus exclusively on materials, equipment, and construction contractor fees
  • Get all consents first - planning permission and other approvals must be granted, not just submitted, before applying
  • Demonstrate community fundraising - particularly in Scotland where this is explicitly prioritized; shows community buy-in and reduces risk for funder
  • Plan for 2-stage process - strong Stage 1 submissions focus on clear project need and site eligibility; Stage 2 requires detailed budgets, quotes, and public access plans

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