Kent Community Foundation

Grants for individuals and families (professional nomination)

Kent Community Foundation's hardship grants for individuals and families in Kent and Medway, which can only be requested through a nomination by a professional supporting them (for example a social worker, charity worker, GP, occupational therapist or teacher). One year-round nomination form covers four funds: the Ivy and Jane Charitable Fund for young carers (average £400), the Wards Estate Agents Charity Fund for children and young people with disabilities or serious illness (average £500-£2,000), the Grassroots Carers Respite Fund for adult carers (average £300-£600) and the Care Leavers Fund (average £500-£1,500). The grant is paid to the nominating organisation to buy the approved items or services, never to the individual.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £500 – £2,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Light; short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

Nominations must come from a professional supporting the individual or family in a professional capacity - for example charity workers, social workers, GPs and specialist doctors, occupational therapists, school staff (teachers, family liaison officers, SEN support workers) and support workers
The nominee must live in Kent or Medway, be financially disadvantaged (e.g. on benefits, unemployed or in low-paid work), need support not covered by statutory services, and meet the criteria of the specific fund (young carers under 18; disabled or seriously ill children and young people under 25; adults caring for another adult; care leavers aged 16.5-25)
Individuals cannot nominate themselves
The nominating organisation receives the grant and buys the items or services

What it funds

Essential support not covered by statutory services, through four funds. Ivy and Jane Charitable Fund (young carers up to their 18th birthday): activities and experiences they would otherwise miss and essential capital items, e.g. school residential trips, gym or leisure memberships, dance or theatre classes, after-school clubs, sports kit, school uniform. Wards Estate Agents Charity Fund (children and young people up to their 25th birthday with physical disabilities, long-term illnesses or life-limiting conditions): priority for equipment that improves mental and physical health and 'make a wish' holidays for terminally ill children, e.g. wheelchair power packs, specialist buggies and trikes, sensory toys, therapy benches, safe furniture, car harnesses, epilepsy alarms. Grassroots Carers Respite Fund (adults caring for another adult): respite and wellbeing breaks including travel and modest spending money, e.g. pamper days, day trips, short breaks, evening classes, annual memberships. Care Leavers Fund (care-experienced young people aged 16.5 to 25 moving into independent living): home setup, confidence and life skills, e.g. home essentials, therapy and counselling, driving lessons, sports memberships; white goods usually, if local authority grants are unavailable or used. Average grants:

£400
£500-£2,000
£300-£600
£500-£1,500 respectively

What it will not fund

Nominations from the individual, their family members or friends (self-referrals)
Anything local or national authorities have a statutory duty to provide
Items or services already purchased before a grant is awarded
Therapy or counselling through the Wards Estate Agents Charity Fund (the Care Leavers Fund can still fund it)
Laptops (Ivy and Jane young carers fund)
Family holidays, generally (respite breaks for adult carers and 'make a wish' holidays for terminally ill young people may be considered)
White goods, except under the Care Leavers Fund or where the item directly supports the nominee's health
Payment of the grant directly to the individual
Multiple sibling nominations to the Ivy and Jane Fund, except in exceptional circumstances discussed first
SWEF business grants (these use a separate application)

How to apply

Check the general criteria and the specific fund's criteria; if unsure, email individuals@kentcf.org.uk with a short summary to discuss
Talk the nomination through with the nominee and get their consent to share their information and to accept the terms on their behalf
Complete the online Individual Grants nomination form (you can save and resume), giving your details, the nominee's household, financial circumstances and benefits, health conditions, what is requested and how it will help
Provide a cost breakdown with quotes, invoices, screenshots or links for every item or service
Submit; Kent Community Foundation contacts the nominator (not the family) for any further information
If awarded, the grant is paid to the nominating organisation to purchase the items or services; keep receipts

Nominations are accepted year-round. If requested information is not received within three weeks the nomination is closed.

For time-sensitive requests (e.g. a dated activity) apply early and say so in the nomination.

Have ready

Quotes, invoices, screenshots or website links showing the cost of each item or service

The nomination cannot be submitted without evidence of costs.

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