GrantRadar

Worcestershire Community Foundation

Strengthening Worcestershire Fund 2026

Round 3 of Worcestershire Community Foundation's Strengthening Worcestershire Fund, match-funded by Worcestershire County Council, gives small grants to Worcestershire charities, CICs, community groups and social enterprises supporting disadvantaged communities still affected by the cost of living. Grants are £2,000-£5,000 (up to £7,500 for a few strong or innovative projects with wider impact), for up to 12 months' activity between 1 March 2027 and 29 February 2028. Applications open at 9am on 1 October 2026 and close at 5pm on 29 October 2026; 2025 grantees cannot apply.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£2,000 – £7,500
Closes in
11 days left
29 October
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Charities, CICs, community groups and social enterprises working in Worcestershire (applicants choose a Worcestershire district for the main activity: Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester, Wychavon or Wyre Forest)
  • Applications from anywhere in the county are welcome, with particular welcome for projects where deprivation is greatest
  • Organisations must have been established for at least 12 months with at least 12 months of financial records and have at least three unrelated trustees/directors, a governing document, a safeguarding policy and a bank account
  • CICs must have been registered 12+ months, have an active asset lock and earn at least 50% of income from trading
  • Organisations funded by this programme in 2025 are not eligible (2024 grantees may reapply)
  • The request must be proportionate to your income
  • IAG projects must show relevant training and quality assurance

What it funds

  • Projects for any age group contributing to six outcomes (people meet essential needs
  • Are financially resilient
  • Are connected and less isolated
  • Live safely, independently and in good health
  • Can access information, digital tools and services
  • Unpaid carers are supported) under six themes: reducing poverty and financial hardship (community fridges, food banks, energy advice, school uniform banks, debt and money advice)
  • Building individual and community resilience (early intervention, information roadshows, local network support)
  • Improving health, wellbeing and independence (groups for older people, dementia cafes, independent living support)
  • Tackling social isolation (befriending, social groups, volunteering costs, telephone friendship)
  • Improving access to support and services (quality-assured information, advice and guidance, digital inclusion, community transport)
  • Supporting unpaid carers (breaks, wellbeing, peer support, carer awareness)

Costs to set up, run, expand or enhance such projects.

Overheads/core costs max 15% and capital equipment max 25% of project costs; at least 5% of costs must come from in-kind support, volunteering or your own match funding.

What it will not fund

  • Solely capital bids (e.g. buying a minibus or disability ramp)
  • Projects that are the responsibility of statutory services
  • Activities promoting religion (except inter-faith activity)
  • Party-political activities
  • Activities generating private profit
  • Individual sponsorship
  • Organisations that received a Strengthening Worcestershire Fund grant in 2025
  • Organisations established, or with financial records, for less than 12 months
  • Organisations with fewer than 3 directors/trustees
  • CICs registered less than 12 months, without an active asset lock, or earning less than 50% of income from trading
  • Activity outside 1 March 2027 to 29 February 2028, or more than 12 months' funding

How to apply

  1. Read the fund page, the Guidance Notes for Making Grant Applications to WCF and the Guide to Types of Costs, and preview the application form
  2. From 9am on 1 October 2026, register your email on the online form and follow the emailed link to start the application
  3. Complete the sections on your organisation, the project, priority areas and impact, beneficiaries, a detailed budget (showing at least 5% in-kind or match funding) and bank details
  4. Upload the supporting documents and complete the declaration
  5. Submit by 5pm on Thursday 29 October 2026
  6. If funded, provide 6-monthly monitoring and an end-of-grant report, and spend all funding by 29 February 2028

Questions on eligibility or priorities go to Karen McVeigh, Grants and Funding Officer (karen.mcveigh@worcscf.org.uk); general enquiries 07909 111812.

The total available is £115,000 across the county, so competition is likely.

Have ready

  • Governing document (constitution, memorandum and articles or rules)
  • Most recent annual accounts (less than 12 months old; otherwise latest accounts plus month-end management accounts)
  • Safeguarding policy covering children, young people or vulnerable adults
  • Bank statement (less than 3 months old)
  • Evidence of capital costs, e.g. webpage screenshots or supplier quotes (if requesting equipment)

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