GrantRadar

Quartet Community Foundation

Wessex Water Community Fund

Grants of up to £4,000 from Wessex Water, run by Quartet Community Foundation, for charitable and community groups in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire whose work improves the lives of local people most in need. Priority goes to work in areas of multiple deprivation or rural isolation, work that builds stronger communities, and work that helps people manage or avoid debt, including take-up of utility affordability support. Grants can cover core or project costs for up to 12 months, and smaller groups (income under £500,000) are prioritised. The round closes at 11am on 19 October 2026; about 25 grants are expected.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £4,000
Closes in
1 day left
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Groups based and working in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire: voluntary and community groups with charitable aims, registered charities, Community Interest Companies (registered at Companies House with an asset lock and social benefit, per Quartet's CIC criteria) and parish councils
  • The organisation must have run for at least 12 months with a track record of delivering work and financial records, and have a board or committee of at least three unpaid members, the majority unrelated and not living at the same address
  • Quartet's general criteria also require a written constitution, up-to-date accounts, a bank account in the organisation's name with at least two unrelated signatories, and safeguarding policies
  • Applicants whose average annual income over the last three years is under £500,000 are prioritised, and other funding and reserves are considered
  • Groups led by diverse and ethnically minoritised communities are particularly welcome
  • Groups without their own bank account or documents can apply through another eligible charitable organisation
  • Debt advice agencies already receiving Wessex Water core funding (such as Citizens Advice or Christians Against Poverty projects) should contact Quartet first

What it funds

  • Community-based activities or projects that meet a local need and improve the lives of local people most in need of support, informed by the people they serve and with wide community benefit
  • Priority is given to work that:
  • Takes place in areas of multiple deprivation or rural isolation where people lack access to local services
  • Helps build stronger communities by enabling people to work together on local challenges
  • Helps people manage or avoid debt and build financial capability, including raising awareness and take-up of utility affordability support such as Wessex Water's schemes

Grants can go towards new or continuing work and any reasonable costs, including core or running costs and project and activity costs, for a period of up to 12 months.

Spending should start within six months of the award.

Past examples include money advice caseworkers, digital inclusion sessions, running costs of a refugee and asylum seeker welfare service, and an outdoor social prescribing programme.

What it will not fund

  • Applications from individuals
  • Onward grants to individuals
  • National organisations or those based outside the region
  • General appeals, including for capital building projects
  • Activities that government and other public bodies have a statutory responsibility to provide
  • Groups or activities supporting a political party
  • Activities intended to influence people's religious choices
  • Activities that primarily support animal welfare
  • Arts or sports projects with no significant community or charitable element
  • Events
  • Schools (PTAs and 'friends of' groups can apply for non-statutory activities)
  • Medical research, equipment or treatment
  • Costs incurred before a grant can be awarded, or work already undertaken
  • Activities that raise funds for other organisations
  • Organisations that received other Wessex Water funding in the last 12 months
  • Applying to more than one community foundation for this fund at the same time
  • Projects primarily focused on environmental outcomes (apply to the Wessex Water Environment Fund, opening May 2027)

How to apply

  1. Read the Guide for Applicants and Quartet's eligibility criteria
  2. Optionally contact Quartet's Philanthropy Team (0117 989 7700, applications@quartetcf.org.uk) to discuss your application
  3. Make sure your trustees know the application is being submitted
  4. Complete the online application form on Quartet's website, including your organisation's bank details, and upload the supporting documents
  5. Submit by 11am on Monday 19 October 2026 - late applications are not accepted
  6. A member of staff assesses the application and may contact you by email or phone with questions, then a community panel decides
  7. You are notified of the outcome in early December 2026
  8. If funded, start spending within six months and complete an End of Grant report when the grant is spent

A plain text version of the form is available to preview, but applications must go through the online form; a paper form can be requested by post, and Quartet can make adjustments for accessibility.

Last year requests were nearly 2.5 times the money available and 44% of applications succeeded; about 25 grants are expected this round.

Have ready

  • Constitution or governing document setting out the organisation's purpose and how it is managed
  • Most recent annual accounts or financial records showing balance of funds, income and expenditure
  • Up-to-date safeguarding policy (required even if you do not work directly with children or vulnerable adults)

You do not need to resend these if you sent them to the Community Foundation in the last 6 months.

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