GrantRadar

Essex Community Foundation

Essex Community Foundation Grants

A year-round, one-door application: you describe what you need on a short online form and the Foundation's grants team matches it against the many charitable funds it manages, rather than you picking a fund yourself. Open to voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations working to a charitable purpose in Essex, Southend or Thurrock. Core costs, projects, training and some capital items are all in scope. The average grant is £5,000 to £7,000, but the Foundation asks you to apply for what you need. A limited number of its funds also support individuals.

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

  • Any voluntary, community or not-for-profit organisation working to a charitable purpose to benefit local people in Essex, Southend or Thurrock
  • You must have a management committee of at least three unrelated people who are responsible for the organisation and make its decisions; a signed constitution or set of rules; a bank account in the name of your group requiring two signatories or dual authorisation; a safeguarding policy if you work with children, young people or adults at risk; and an annual budget for your organisation
  • A limited number of the Foundation's funds support individuals, and an initial enquiry can be made for yourself or your child — these mainly help children and young adults where money is a barrier to reaching their potential

What it funds

  • Core costs, specific projects, training opportunities, and capital items on a limited basis
  • The Foundation's team matches a request against the criteria of one or more of the charitable funds it manages, so the same enquiry can be considered by several funds

What it will not fund

  • For-profit businesses
  • Contributions to large appeals
  • Organisations that give funds or award grants on to third parties
  • Political campaigning
  • The promotion of religion, or religious activities that do not benefit the wider public
  • Statutory organisations including schools or councils in the discharge of their obligations
  • Retrospective funding for activities that have already taken place

a PTA set up as a charity can apply, despite the exclusion on schools

How to apply

  1. Go through the Foundation's 'Am I Eligible?' quiz if you are unsure whether to apply
  2. Read the Help and Guidance for Applicants page
  3. Optionally contact the grants team first — by live chat 9am to 4pm, by phone on 01245 355947, by booking a slot with a grants officer, or by email — to discuss your idea
  4. Complete the short online application form describing what you need support for
  5. The grants team matches your request against the criteria of the charitable funds it manages

a Word version of the form can be requested by email if you want to prepare your answers offline

applications are accepted all year round, and separate time-limited opportunities are listed on the Current Grant Opportunities page

the Foundation works with around 400 people who help decide its grantmaking, and may come back for more information

Have ready

  • A signed constitution or set of rules
  • An annual budget for your organisation
  • A safeguarding policy, if you work with children, young people or adults at risk
  • Bank account details in the name of the group, with two signatories or dual authorisation

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