Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Community Fund: New Project Funding

Grants of £2,000 to £50,000 from Severn Trent Water's Community Fund for brand new community projects in the Severn Trent water region that improve community wellbeing, linked to people, place and environment (a water connection is welcomed but not essential). Not-for-profit groups, schools and parish or town councils can apply; groups do not need to be registered for grants up to £20,000. Decisions are made by an independent panel of Severn Trent customers, which meets every six months, and around 30 projects are expected to be funded in 2026. The Fund also runs separate Core Funding and Kits for Kids strands.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £2,000 – £50,000
Deadline: 105 days left; 31 January
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Not-for-profit organisations with a governing document (constitution or memorandum and articles including not-for-profit status, application of income and a dissolution clause or asset lock) and a bank account in the organisation's legal name with two unrelated signatories; foundation schools, colleges or academy trusts; and statutory bodies including local authorities and town, parish or community councils
For £2,000 to £20,000, the organisation does not need to be registered
For £20,001 to £50,000 it must be registered with the Charity Commission or Companies House, or be a state-funded school (foundation school, college or academy), a statutory body (local authority or parish council), or an exempt or excepted charity
The project must be located in the Severn Trent region and benefit Severn Trent customers; the region runs from the Bristol Channel to the Humber and from the Welsh border/West Midlands to the East Midlands, and applicants should check their location on the Fund's map or Water UK's postcode checker
New organisations can apply with a projected income and expenditure forecast
Capital projects on leased land need a minimum remaining lease of 2 years (up to £20k) or 5 years (over £20k) and any planning permission in place before applying
One application per organisation in a 12-month period

What it funds

Brand new projects with genuine community need and a real impact on community wellbeing in the Severn Trent region, linked to people, place and environment (projects covering all three are of particular interest)
Projects with a connection to water are welcomed, for example improving access to and caring for rivers, grey water recycling or sustainable drainage (SuDS) and water-efficient green spaces, but this is not essential
Both capital and revenue projects are considered if they will be sustained beyond the grant
There are two grant sizes: £2,000 to £20,000 and £20,001 to £50,000
Severn Trent must be the majority funder (over 50% of total project cost); match funding is encouraged but not required and must be secured before applying
Projects must start within six months of the offer and finish within 24 months
Eligible costs include project labour (at least the real Living Wage), project running costs, skills training, project administration, beneficiary and volunteer costs, and capital costs of improving a site or building

What it will not fund

Costs not directly associated with the new project
Day-to-day running costs and organisational overheads (see the separate Core Funding strand)
Continuing a past or current project
Retrospective costs incurred before the award letter start date
Costs that cannot be evidenced to your organisation, such as invoices in another name
Purchase of land or property
Bank charges, legal fees, fines or penalty payments
Activities that collect funds for redistribution to other charities or individuals
Activities promoting religious beliefs, or political activities
Activities the state has a legal obligation to provide, such as core education, flood alleviation, street lighting or pavement maintenance
Marketing or promotion alone
Fundraising activities or challenges
Conferences or seminars
One-off or short-term events
Arts, cultural, heritage or creative projects whose primary purpose is artistic activity, performances, exhibitions, festivals or creating artwork
Research or feasibility activities
Overseas appeals, expeditions or overseas travel
Costs linked to Severn Trent's core business, such as water or waste pipes, new water supplies or connections, cess pits and bore holes
Improvements to Severn Trent or other water company land, unless leased by the applicant on the required terms
Projects harmful to the environment or using excessive mains water, such as irrigation systems
Drainage designed without a SuDS approach
Water fountains, swimming or splash pools, and public toilets
Playgrounds and trim trails (swings, slides, climbing frames, zip lines, splash pads and similar)
Sports sponsorship, sports greens, pitches or surfaces, and sports kit or equipment on its own
Projects located outside the Severn Trent region (projects in the Hafren Dyfrdwy area in Wales should apply to that company's fund)
More than one application from the same organisation in a 12-month period, or further funding for a project already funded

How to apply

Check your organisation, location and costs are eligible using the guidance page, the project map or Water UK's postcode checker; the Fund recommends talking to a Fund Officer (communityfund@severntrent.co.uk) about your idea
Choose the grant size (£2,000 to £20,000 or £20,001 to £50,000), as each has a different set of questions
Optionally draft answers offline using the downloadable Word copy of the application questions
Sign up for an account on the application portal (a new portal since 2025, so previous applicants must sign up again) and create an organisation profile with a lead applicant and a second contact
Complete the application, upload evidence, click 'Mark Complete' and then 'Submit' before 23:59 on the panel deadline; the lead applicant receives a confirmation email
Applications are scored internally on community need, planning, sustainability and value for money; only the strongest go to the independent Customer Panel for a final decision
If successful, accept the grant offer in the portal within seven days, sign the agreement and provide bank details and a recent bank statement

2026-27 panel deadlines for £2,000 to £20,000: 28 February 2027 (April 2027 panel, outcome May 2027) and 5 September 2027. For £20,001 to £50,000: 31 January 2027 (March 2027 panel, outcome April 2027) and 1 August 2027. The Fund says it is always open and panels meet every six months.

Grants up to £20,000 are paid in one payment; larger grants are paid against milestones with 10% retained until the end-of-project report. Interim and end-of-project reports are required and there may be a monitoring visit.

Panel decisions cannot be appealed, but reasons are given and you can reapply with a different project the next year.

Have ready

Governing document (constitution or memorandum and articles) showing not-for-profit status, application of income and a dissolution clause or asset lock
Accounts appropriate to the size of the organisation (new organisations: projected income and expenditure forecast including secured and expected income)
Capital works: property deeds or lease agreement, or a project consent form completed by the landowner
Planning permission, if the project needs it
Confirmation that relevant policies and procedures and insurance are in place (documents only if requested)

At grant offer stage you must provide a bank statement dated within the last three months in the organisation's legal name (not a transaction listing or redacted), and details of a bank account with two unrelated signatories.

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