The Community Foundation In Wales

Charity Number: 1074655

Annual Expenditure: £2.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2.6 million
  • Total Distributed Since 1999: £40 million+
  • Decision Time: 2 months (up to 3 months for larger programmes)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £10,000 (varies by fund)
  • Geographic Focus: Wales (all regions)
  • Application Schedule: Mixed (monthly panels, rolling basis depending on fund)

Contact Details

Website: www.communityfoundationwales.org.uk

Phone: 029 2037 9580

Email: info@communityfoundationwales.org.uk

Grants Email: grants@communityfoundationwales.org.uk

Pre-Application Support: Organizations can book a call with a Grants Officer to ask questions about eligibility or the application process. The Foundation also offers “Meet the Funder” workshops and maintains a comprehensive Grants Toolkit on their website.

Overview

Founded in 1999, Community Foundation Wales is the leading philanthropy promotion and grant-making organization in Wales. With over 25 years of experience, the Foundation has awarded over £40 million in grants to grassroots community groups and charities, strengthening communities across Wales. They now distribute over £2.6 million annually through various grant programmes. The Foundation manages multiple endowment funds and works with generous supporters to reach people most in need, creating equality and opportunity in Welsh communities. Key milestones include reaching £10 million in endowment funds in 2015, and celebrating £25 million invested in Welsh communities by 2018. The Prince of Wales became patron in 2011, and in 2007 the Foundation received Charity Commission Quality Accreditation. Community Foundation Wales is a Living Wage Employer, member of UK Community Foundation, and 360 Giving Partner, committed to transparency by publishing grant information annually since April 2018.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Fund for Wales (Open)

£500 - £2,000 per year for up to 3 years

Open to small, local, community-led charities and voluntary organizations with annual income under £100,000. The Foundation aims to award at least six multi-year grants. Applications accepted online with monthly panel meetings. Current round closes March 9, 2026 at midday. Supported by People's Postcode Lottery and the LNB Fund.

Disability Fund

Up to £10,000 per year for up to 3 years

Supports organizations delivering emotional and wellbeing support to people with disabilities, purchasing equipment to improve quality of life, and addressing additional healthcare needs. Prioritizes organizations serving underserved or vulnerable people from the most deprived communities. Open to organizations with approximately £200,000 or below annual income.

Health & Social Care Innovation Fund

£5,000 - £10,000

Partnership with The Shaw Foundation supporting smaller, local, voluntary organizations in South, Mid or West Wales providing innovative care services for vulnerable people and carers. Focus areas include Dementia Care, Carers Support, Workforce Training & Development, and Innovation in Health Care.

Ashley Family Foundation

£500 - £10,000

Strengthens rural communities across Wales with social and environmental focus. Favours organizations with income below £2 million. Funds must represent at least 10% of overall project cost. Revenue proposals only (not capital requests).

Flintshire Funds

Organizations: up to £1,000 per year for up to 3 years

Individuals (up to age 25, Flintshire residents): up to £500 annually

Includes Flintshire Community Endowment Fund and Flintshire Welsh Church Act Fund.

Nation of Sanctuary Croeso Fund

Supports charities, community groups and organizations working with people displaced by conflict. Launched with £1 million Welsh Government donation. Examples include choirs for sanctuary seekers, art and play sessions, and language lessons.

Communities Together - Cost of Living Fund

Maximum £5,000 per year for up to 3 years

Covers core and/or project costs of groups providing services to alleviate situations of crisis and hardship.

Older People's Fund

£1,000 - £5,000 per year for up to 3 years

Supports organizations working with people aged 65 and older. Must be locally led and based with annual income of £100,000 or under.

Priority Areas

Community Foundation Wales supports five key themes:

  • Young People and Education: Supporting youth development and educational opportunities
  • Communities: Building stronger, more active communities and promoting social inclusion
  • Health: Encouraging healthier, more active communities and supporting wellbeing
  • Culture: Preserving heritage and culture
  • Environment: Improving rural and urban environments

The Foundation recognizes the inspirational role of community groups and charities in identifying and meeting local needs. They support projects that address local challenges, enhance quality of life, and help communities thrive.

What Can Be Funded

Grants can support:

  • Full or partial project costs
  • Small capital items and equipment
  • Core costs (for organizations with accounts for at least 12 months, where the grant is less than 50% of annual turnover)
  • Activities and programmes (room hire, transport costs, volunteer expenses)
  • Insurance
  • Tutor fees
  • Community events

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not comprehensively detailed, eligibility restrictions include:

  • Organizations with annual income over £100,000 (for Fund for Wales and Older People's Fund)
  • Organizations without proper safeguarding policies
  • Organizations lacking adequate insurance coverage
  • Organizations without minimum governance structures (at least 3 unrelated trustees/directors)
  • Organizations without an organizational bank account

Note: Approximately 20% of applications to Fund for Wales are ineligible due to income level alone.

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Judi

Appointed October 2024, Judi brings over 18 years' experience in senior charity sector roles, most recently as Chief Executive of Tenovus Cancer Care for five years. She was awarded MBE in 2021 for services to the voluntary sector.

Quote from Chair: "I am honoured to be selected as the next Chair of Community Foundation Wales. I'm looking forward to working with the wonderful staff and trustees to build on their already impressive impact, supporting grassroots organisations."

Chief Executive: Richard Williams

Joined Community Foundation Wales in September 2017 after spending nine years as Director for Wales for Action on Hearing Loss (RNID).

CEO Quote: "I am the chief executive of the Foundation. It's a great job and I'm proud to lead the fantastic team who make such a difference to lives in communities across Wales."

Patron: The Prince of Wales (since 2011)

Founding Board Members (1999): Keith Arnold (chair), John Curteis, John Tree, Ken Abram, Pearl Criddle

Notable Donor: Dr. Dewi Davies became the Foundation's first million-pound donor in 2014, establishing a fund for North West Carmarthenshire and South Ceredigion.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Grants Toolkit with guidance on writing strong applications and planning projects
  • Top tips documents and video resources
  • Glossary of terms
  • “Meet the Funder” workshops

Decision Timeline

  • Panel Meetings: Held monthly for most funds
  • Notification: Within 2 months of submission for standard programmes
  • Larger Programmes: Up to 3 months for decision
  • Method: Email notification whether application is successful or unsuccessful

Success Rates

Specific overall success rates are not publicly available. However, approximately 20% of applications received for Fund for Wales are not eligible due to organizations exceeding the £100,000 annual income threshold.

Reapplication Policy

  • Cannot Appeal: Unsuccessful applicants cannot appeal the decision
  • Reapplication Encouraged: Organizations are welcome to reapply
  • Feedback Available: Unsuccessful applicants receive generic feedback via email with reasons for rejection
  • Detailed Feedback: Applicants are encouraged to call the Foundation for more specific, application-focused feedback before reapplying to strengthen future submissions

Contact: grants@communityfoundationwales.org.uk or 029 2037 9580

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

Community Foundation Wales provides comprehensive guidance through their Grants Toolkit, including:

  • Writing a Strong Application: Top tips designed to help with Community Foundation Wales applications and applications to other funders
  • Planning a Project: Guidance on what to consider, where to find support, and how to be better prepared prior to submission
  • Application Support Videos: Top tips and hints for completing grant applications

Recent Funded Projects Examples

Nation of Sanctuary Croeso Fund:

  • Choir for people seeking sanctuary in Cardiff
  • Art and play sessions and meet-and-share hub for sanctuary seekers in and around Wrexham
  • English/Welsh language and social orientation lessons for sanctuary seekers in North Wales
  • Welsh Refugee Council received multi-year grant to establish a Welsh Refugee Coalition Lead

Principality Building Society's Future Generations Fund (when open):

  • 24 youth and community groups received £117,000 in 2022

Key Terminology and Language

The Foundation emphasizes:

  • Grassroots organizations: Small, locally-led groups
  • Community-led: Organizations with local people involved in running them
  • Strengthening communities: Building capacity and resilience
  • Inspiring generosity: Promoting philanthropy and charitable giving

Common Reasons for Rejection

  1. Income level: Approximately 20% of applications fail due to exceeding income thresholds
  2. Missing safeguarding policies: Organizations must have active safeguarding policies reviewed annually
  3. Inadequate governance: Minimum 3 unrelated trustees/directors required
  4. Lack of proper insurance: Adequate insurance coverage required
  5. Poor organizational readiness: Missing organizational bank account or constitutional documents

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate local impact: Show clear understanding of community needs and how your project addresses them
  2. Align with Foundation themes: Connect your work to their five priority areas (Young People/Education, Communities, Health, Culture, Environment)
  3. Show sustainability: Multi-year funding available for many programmes - demonstrate long-term thinking
  4. Evidence community involvement: Local leadership and participation are valued
  5. Be prepared: Use the Grants Toolkit resources before applying
  6. Seek feedback: Don't hesitate to book a call with a Grants Officer
  7. Match fund size to organizational capacity: For Fund for Wales, apply for less than 50% of annual turnover for core costs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Small is beautiful: Community Foundation Wales specifically targets smaller organizations (typically under £100,000-£200,000 income) - this is your opportunity if you're grassroots and locally-led
  1. Preparation matters: With approximately 20% of applications rejected on eligibility alone, carefully check income thresholds, governance requirements, and safeguarding policies before applying
  1. Multi-year funding available: Many funds offer up to 3 years of support - this is unusual and valuable, so emphasize sustainability and long-term impact in applications
  1. Proactive support culture: The Foundation actively encourages pre-application conversations and provides extensive toolkit resources - use these to strengthen your application
  1. Monthly panels mean regular opportunities: With monthly decision-making panels, you have multiple chances throughout the year rather than a single deadline
  1. Feedback is available: Even if unsuccessful, you can receive detailed feedback and are encouraged to reapply - this is a learning organization
  1. Core funding is possible: Unlike many funders, Community Foundation Wales will consider core costs (under specific conditions), making this a valuable opportunity for organizational sustainability

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