Introduction
There are various funding sources available to community groups and charities in Somerset. We have provided links to databases where you can search for funding as well as examples of different sources of funding across Somerset.
If you know of other funding sources we would be happy to consider adding them to this list.
Contact the team
Email communities@somerset.gov.uk
Stronger Communities
Public Health (Post point 2 B3S)
Somerset County Council
County Hall
Taunton
TA1 4DY
Covid-19 funding
Spark Somerset – have a page that provides information on funding and grants available for charities. The page is updated regularly. https://www.sparksomerset.org.uk/covid-19-funding-0
Somerset Community Foundation – launched the Somerset Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund. Grants are available for charities and community organisations to assist the county’s most vulnerable people during this time. To find out more go to https://www.somersetcf.org.uk/coronavirus
Covid-19 Impact Programme – The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund have launched an emergency fund for armed forces charities and CICs to support them delivering services to veterans and the armed forces community. To find out more go to https://covenantfund.org.uk/2020/05/12/emergency-funding-for-frontline-armed-forces-charities-working-with-armed-forces-communities/
Grant Funding for business groups, networks and clusters
Business support grants to build on local infrastructure by strengthening existing/new business networks, clusters for business and to provide ‘seed corn’ grants to create new groups. Closing date – 31 July 2020.
Find out more
Somerset County Council funding
Dementia Community Grants Programme
Grants to support the development of services and activities for people with memory loss or dementia in Somerset funding information is available here
Somerset Social Enterprise Fund
Loans are now available to support and develop social enterprises in Somerset. Applications for loan funding will be considered, from £10,000 (minimum) to £100,000 (maximum). The fund has been established by Somerset County Council working in conjunction with Somerset Community Foundation who will co-ordinate the fund. For more information visit the Somerset Community Foundation website.
Somerset Prepared Small Grants Fund
Funding for local communities developing emergency arrangements. Previous grants have helped to provide training and issue equipment, such as storage huts and protective clothing. Find out more.
Somerset Early Help Fund
This fund is a partnership between Somerset County Council and Somerset Community Foundation. The aim of the fund is to enable Somerset families to get the support they need before a challenge becomes a crisis. Grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 a year for up to three years will be available for core, capital and project costs.
The Fund is open to community groups, registered charities and social enterprises that are supporting, or would like to support, families in Somerset. Grants will be awarded to groups that can demonstrate how they can build the resilience of families in Somerset.
Deadline – 20 March 2020 More information
Young Carers Fund
Grants of between £2,500 and £20,000 a year for up to 3 years are being made available to community groups who work to make sure young carers have the same opportunities as other children and young people.
The Somerset Young Carers Fund will help groups that can illustrate how they can help to identify young carers, support them with their caring responsibilities, and build their resilience and wellbeing.
The fund is a partnership between Somerset County Council and Somerset Community Foundation and will fund staff, volunteers, activities, publicity and capital works (which includes equipment and buildings).
You can also request a contribution to a group’s overheads and core costs.
Deadline – 20 March 2020 More information
Small Improvement Schemes
A maximum of two small improvement schemes can be put forward for consideration each year. For more information and for details of plans approaching construction, please visit our Small Improvements Schemes page.
Grant Funding for activities for children and young people with a disability or additional need.
The Community Inclusion and Activity Team have a grant fund for providers of activities and clubs for disabled children and young people and their families. These may be regular clubs or activities that take place in the school holidays.
Grant funding dates happen periodically throughout the year. For more information on the grant fund email CIAteam@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset District Councils
You can see details of any Somerset District Councils’ grants for community projects here:
Mendip Local Legacy and Community Environment Fund
South Somerset community grants and loan schemes
Somerset West and Taunton Council
EDF Hinkley Point Community Impact Mitigation (CIM) Fund
The purpose of this fund is to mitigate the intangible and residual impacts of the Hinkley Point C (HPC) project on the local communities affected by them. Only communities or projects in Sedgemoor and West Somerset can benefit from CIM payments this year.
EDF Hinkley Point C Community Funds
You could apply for funding for your community project if:
- It will address the effects of Hinkley Point C on your community
- It will support your community to take advantage of the opportunities created by Hinkley Point C
Somerset West Lottery is a weekly online lottery created to support local causes in Somerset West.
Shape Mendip Lottery raises funds for good causes that benefit the Mendip community
Other funding sources
There are also many other funds available through government departments, national charities, trusts and businesses which can provide community funding.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund
Armed Forces Covenant Fund is a new government fund to support community covenants and to fund local projects that bring together the civilian and armed forces communities. There is more information at Somerset Armed Forces Community Covenant or on the GOV.UK website.
The Somerset Fund
Unrestricted grants up to £1,500 for grassroots community groups across Somerset. Funding window will open on 6 January and close on 14 February.
Local businesses are encouraged to explore supporting the fund as an easier way to donate locally and have a greater impact. More information.
Somerset Leader Funding
The LEADER programme is part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Somerset County Council acts as the accountable body for both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Payments Agency. This funding runs between 2015 and 2020.
European Social Fund
Community Grants, funded by the European Social Fund, is a programme that aims to support small and voluntary organisations with grants of £1,000 to £20,000 for local initiatives that will move unemployed and inactive people over the age of 16 towards employment, training or education.
Other examples include:
Somerset Community Foundation (SCF)
The Royal Bath and West Somerset Levels Relief Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund
The Funding Central website – also provides a guide to grants, contracts and loans.
The Social Enterprise Network Somerset (SENS) – also provide information and signposting to resources for social enterprise activity in Somerset. Email sens@somersetrcc.org.uk
GRIN (Grants Resource Information News) – An affordable local funding directory with a searchable grants and resource database and daily funding bulletins.
Spark Fundraising Network – This Facebook group is for people who are involved with raising funds for groups and organisations. The group is a professional networking tool, allowing you to share experiences and best practice, take part in discussions, and have access to training and information that make your roles a little bit easier.
Evidence for bid writing
The Somerset Intelligence website provides data, information, intelligence and insight on Somerset and its varied communities which you may find of interest when compiling evidence for bids.
This information also serves as the evidence base for the Somerset Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) which informs decision-making by people who plan, operate and commission services for the county.