Norfolk Community Foundation

Villages Windfarm Community Fund

A wind farm community fund managed by Norfolk Community Foundation for projects benefiting residents of the parishes of Holton, Sotherton and Westhall in Suffolk. It supports any type of activity that involves local people through small community organisations and gives some economic, environmental, educational, social or cultural benefit to the area. Awards will not typically exceed £5,000 (larger awards may be considered for projects with clear and wide benefit, by discussion first); the fund has £14,775 in total for 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £5,000
Deadline: Not published; no closing date given
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Charities, faith organisations, parish/town councils, social enterprises/CICs and voluntary/community groups whose projects benefit residents of the parishes of Holton, Sotherton and Westhall in Suffolk
Under NCF's general criteria, applicants need a governing document stating charitable aims/community benefit with a charitable dissolution clause (not required for faith groups exempt from registration or parish/town councils), a governing body of at least 3 unconnected individuals, a bank account in the group's name with at least two unconnected signatories (exceptions possible for requests under £10,000 if internal controls are in place - discuss first), annual accounts if operating over 12 months, a safeguarding policy with a named lead and an equal opportunities policy or statement
CICs, companies limited by guarantee and other social enterprises have additional guidance; parish/town councils are generally considered where the project is clearly of wide community benefit; churches and faith organisations only for inclusive community activities that do not promote religious beliefs

What it funds

Any type of activity that involves local people through small community organisations that benefit their community in the parishes of Holton, Sotherton and Westhall, Suffolk
Activities must provide some measure of economic, environmental, educational, social or cultural benefit for people living in the area
Under NCF's general rules, funding can in most cases be used for running costs, equipment or capital costs

What it will not fund

Reimbursement (funding activities that have already taken place)
Contributions to general appeals
Development to land/buildings which the applicant does not have a legal interest in
The costs associated with applying for planning permission
Activities solely supporting animal welfare
Activities solely supporting religious/political activity
Medical research and equipment
In-school activities that take place in curriculum/classroom time
Schools-based projects mainly benefiting students and teachers that do not benefit the wider community outside the school (unlikely to be funded)

How to apply

Check the fund's eligible area and that your group meets Norfolk Community Foundation's general eligibility and good governance criteria (Guidance & Resources page)
If you are considering asking for more than £5,000, speak to Norfolk Community Foundation before starting an application
Select 'Apply online' at the bottom of the fund's webpage and complete the online application form, including the project budget and how the project fits the fund's aims
Attach your supporting documents and submit
NCF's programmes team reviews the application and carries out governance checks, and may contact you for more information
A fund panel makes the decision; successful applicants receive an offer letter or email and funds are paid by bank transfer within a week of notification

Report back with a progress update, typically at 6 months, and an end-of-project update, usually after 12 months

If you cannot apply online, contact NCF for help

Have ready

Constitution or governing document
Most recent annual accounts (or a current financial statement if operating for less than a year)
Equal opportunities policy/statement
Recent bank statement (dated within the last three months, per the application form)
Relevant safeguarding policies/procedures
Quotes, estimates or other evidence of costs if applying for equipment, building works, training or external services
Evidence that planning permission or other relevant permissions are in place, where relevant

If you have applied to NCF before, you only need to resend documents that have changed (e.g. updated constitution, reviewed policy, new accounts, new bank account, or no bank statement sent in the last 12 months)

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