GrantRadar

Devon Community Foundation

Devon Community Foundation grants (Getting to Know You registration)

The way into Devon Community Foundation's community grants for voluntary, community and social enterprise groups in Devon with an annual income under £1 million that tackle inequalities and strengthen communities. There is no open application form. You complete a short eligibility checklist and 'Getting to Know You' form to join the Foundation's database, and when a fund fits your work you are invited to submit a full application. The Foundation keeps invitations in proportion to the money available, so joining the database does not guarantee an invitation. Grant sizes depend on the fund: recent funds offered up to £3,000 or £5,000.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Amount not specified
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations working in Devon with an income under £1 million in their last full financial year that tackle inequalities and strengthen communities
  • The checklist accepts registered charities/CIOs, CICs, co-operatives and community benefit societies, unincorporated groups, sports clubs, schools, parish councils and other local public bodies, and church or faith-based groups (activity must not include worship or promote religious belief)
  • Requirements: a signed, dated governing document with a clear charitable purpose or social mission, not-for-profit (no dividends; asset locks are considered); at least three unrelated trustees, directors or committee members; a bank account in the organisation's name with at least two people involved in financial oversight; a safeguarding policy (or a reason one is not needed); and accounts that are available or can be supplied
  • Unincorporated groups and unregistered charities must have income under £5,000
  • Groups above £5,000 should be formally registered
  • Newly formed or unconstituted groups without a bank account can apply through a host organisation, which must be a registered charity, CIC or parish/town council
  • Groups that applied since 1 January 2023, or that are on the published 6 August 2026 database list, are already registered

What it funds

Work that tackles inequalities and strengthens communities in Devon, under four impact areas:

  • Economic inequalities and living standards
  • Health inequalities and wellbeing
  • Net zero, climate adaptation and the environment
  • Cohesive, safer communities with more say in decisions

The Foundation's examples include peer-led mental health support for young people, creative sessions for marginalised communities, support for vulnerable parents and families, and cooking and wellbeing activities for people facing food insecurity.

Time-limited projects, partnership projects and, where possible, unrestricted funding are all possible.

Each fund has its own criteria.

In Sept 2026 the current funds page listed Pencarrie Community Grants (up to £3,000 for grassroots groups with income under £50,000 working with children and young people aged 0-21 in Devon, Plymouth or Torbay), a second CLASP suicide-prevention round, and Supporting the Supporters (up to £5,000 for staff and volunteer wellbeing).

What it will not fund

  • Activity that includes worship or promotes a particular religious or political belief
  • Activity that is statutory provision
  • Activity that does not benefit the wider community
  • Trading services for which there would normally be a charge
  • Work that has already taken place
  • Organisations with income of £1 million or more
  • Organisations not working exclusively in Devon (unless registered in Devon or able to ringfence the funding for Devon)

How to apply

  1. Check the published list of organisations on the database (as of 6 August 2026); if you are already on it you do not need to register again
  2. Complete the online eligibility checklist on the Getting to Know You page
  3. If eligible, complete the Getting to Know You form describing what you do, where and with whom (about twenty minutes in total), naming up to three partner organisations if relevant
  4. The Foundation matches database entries to funds as they become available, using criteria, randomised shortlists and/or panels, and invites a proportionate number of groups to submit a full application
  5. If invited, submit the full application for that fund, which is followed by due diligence and assessment

From 6 August 2026 grants are made purely from Getting to Know You data, supplemented by public information such as your website and social media.

Community Benefit Funds and Lead the Change (Plymouth) have separate application routes.

Have ready

  • Online eligibility checklist and Getting to Know You form

Your governing document, safeguarding policy and latest annual accounts must be available or supplied on request; host organisations must give written confirmation that they will hold funds.

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