GrantRadar

Somerset Community Foundation

HPC Community Fund: Small Grants (Easy Access)

Small grants from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund, run by Somerset Community Foundation, for local groups working in communities affected by the building of Hinkley Point C, such as Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and surrounding villages. Grants can be from under £1,000 up to £30,000 spent over up to three years, though most are £5,000 to £10,000, for projects, building refurbishment or equipment that improve community wellbeing and quality of life. The fund is open all year with six deadlines a year; the next is 5pm on Monday 19 October 2026. It is aimed at groups normally running on under £250,000 a year.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£5,000 – £30,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Local groups normally running on under £250,000 a year that work in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C (the funder names Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and the surrounding villages) and meet Somerset Community Foundation's minimum standards
  • Eligible types: registered charities and CIOs with at least 3 unrelated trustees; community groups or unincorporated associations with a governing document with charitable aims and at least 3 unrelated members running them (they must register with the Charity Commission if income is regularly over £5,000); CICs that are clearly trading (not running almost entirely on grants and donations) with at least 3 unrelated directors, for start-up, growth or special projects; FCA-registered Community Benefit Societies with 3 unrelated directors; social landlords (contact first if large); schools (PTAs preferred); town and parish councils only where no suitable community group exists; and faith-based groups for projects open to everyone
  • All need a bank account in the group's name with two unrelated signatories, annual accounts (new groups can still apply) and a safeguarding policy meeting SCF's standards
  • Priority goes to communities more heavily affected by HPC, projects with wide community support, partnership working and good value for money; previous funding from the programme is taken into account

What it funds

Projects that improve community wellbeing and quality of life in communities affected by HPC:

  • Running projects
  • Refurbishing buildings
  • Buying equipment
  • Core (running) costs such as rent, energy bills or insurance
  • Match funding alongside other funders

What it will not fund

  • Things that have already happened or been paid for
  • Animal welfare (projects that clearly benefit people, such as horse therapy, may be considered)
  • Medical research, equipment or treatment
  • Political groups
  • The practice or promotion of religion
  • Things outside the objectives in your governing document
  • Groups holding more than 12 months' running costs in free reserves (unless a reserves policy justifies it)
  • Private companies (normally)
  • For schools: statutory duties, educational activities during the school day, school facilities, classroom equipment or teacher training (usually)

How to apply

  1. Check your group meets the minimum standards on SCF's FAQs page (or take the eligibility quiz)
  2. For grants over £10,000, speak to Programmes Manager Olivia Gore first (strongly encouraged)
  3. Optionally draft answers in the Word version of the application form
  4. Complete and submit the online application form, uploading supporting documents, by the round deadline (next: 5pm Monday 19 October 2026)
  5. An SCF officer assesses the application and makes a recommendation; a panel of SCF, Somerset Council, EDF and independent community members decides

the fund is open all year with six deadlines a year; requests up to £5,000 may get a quicker decision

if you cannot use the online form or attach documents, contact Olivia Gore (01749 597142) or email documents to info@somersetcf.org.uk before the round deadline

Have ready

  • A bank statement in the group's name from the last 3 months showing bank name, account name, account number and sort code (or a bank welcome letter for accounts opened in the last 3 months)
  • Most recent annual accounts (no more than 18 months old)
  • Current safeguarding policy meeting SCF's minimum standards
  • Constitution or governing document
  • Optional supporting documents such as quotes for works or community consultation information

More like this

Other grants open to organisations like yours.