Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation

Science Museum Group Wroughton Solar Park Sustainable Futures Grants

Grants of £1,000 to £20,000 from the Science Museum Group Wroughton Solar Park Community Benefit Fund, run by Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, for charitable and community projects focused on science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) and/or the environment, such as renewable energy, ecology or habitat conservation. Projects must benefit communities within a 10km radius of Wroughton Solar Park, south of Swindon. Priorities include cutting carbon, renewable energy, local climate action and widening STEM and environmental learning. It can fund core, project and capital costs, and schools can apply for work beyond their statutory duties. You must contact the Programmes Team first to discuss eligibility and get the application form; expressions of interest close at 12pm on 18 December 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £1,000 – £20,000
Deadline: 61 days left; 18 December
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Constituted voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, not-for-profit companies (including CICs limited by guarantee with a suitable asset lock and a majority of unpaid directors; CICs limited by shares must talk to the Foundation first), and schools, academies or colleges
The project must benefit communities within a 10km radius of Wroughton Solar Park (the Science Museum site at Wroughton, south of Swindon); the Foundation publishes a map and will check a location for you
Applicants must be based and operating in Wiltshire and/or Swindon (local branches of national organisations need their own local committee and bank account), or be based outside but working in Wiltshire/Swindon with most of their other services in neighbouring counties and a record of working with local people
You need an active committee or board of at least three people who are not related, in a long-term relationship or living at the same address; an appropriate constitution; safeguarding (with a named lead) and equalities policies; a bank account with two unrelated signatories; unrestricted reserves of less than 12 months' running costs; last year's accounts or financial records; and this year's budget
New groups without these may apply through another charitable organisation

What it funds

Charitable and community activities focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) and/or the environment that create a physical asset, address an issue and/or encourage learning or engagement. Priorities are projects that help groups or communities to:

Reduce carbon emissions/footprint
Create sustainable/renewable energy solutions
Take positive local action to tackle climate change
Improve learning or engagement in STEM subjects and/or the environment
Trial or implement a new STEM or environmental solution to a local problem
Costs can be for continuing your existing work or a new activity: core costs (e.g. salaries, volunteer expenses, training, utilities, office supplies, materials, insurance, premises costs, publicity)
Project costs (e.g. staff costs, volunteer expenses, training, equipment or materials, additional insurance or venue hire, promotion/advertising)
Capital costs (buildings and equipment); if the project costs more than the grant, most of the remaining funds must already be secured
Examples: installing renewable energy equipment such as solar panels, including independent energy audit reports; rainwater harvesting; creating or conserving a local habitat; planting trees or wildflowers; new approaches to STEM/environment learning; opening STEM/environment learning to under-represented groups; innovative technology to tackle a local issue; research, feasibility studies or pilot projects

The fund is particularly keen on projects with a longer-term impact beyond the initial work phase. Spending must start within six months of the award, and the project has 18 months to deliver

What it will not fund

Money to individuals or households
Statutory bodies such as county, city, town or parish councils, or health institutions
Charities that operate nationally
One-off or sponsored events
Projects which duplicate an existing service
The advancement of religion
Medical research and equipment
Animal welfare
Party political activities
Costs that are part of a school's statutory responsibilities

How to apply

Read the criteria and work through the pre-application checklist (you do not submit it) to check your project is ready, e.g. energy audit and two installer quotes for renewables, landowner permission and expert advice for habitat work
Contact the Programmes Team (karen.hobbs@wscf.org.uk, 01380 738985) to discuss eligibility and request access to the online application form
Complete the online form (organisation, bank details, project details, STEM/environmental outcomes, itemised budget, beneficiaries) and upload the supporting documents
Submit by 12pm on 18 December 2026
The Foundation generally contacts applicants to discuss the request before the decision, which is usually in late February

Question guidance notes are published so you can draft offline, and a Word or paper version of the form can be arranged. A recording of a Meet the Funders event is on the page

Have ready

Constitution or governing document
Safeguarding policy
Equality policy
Most recent annual accounts or financial records (showing total income, expenditure and unrestricted reserves for the latest full year)
Financial plan or budget for this year
Recent bank statement (dated within the last 3 months)

Documents already on file from a previous application need not be resent unless updated. For larger items or works, at least two quotes are expected

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