Information about funding sources and grants available to community groups in Somerset
There are various funding sources available to community groups in Somerset.
Some are available from the County Council, others from District Councils, and there are many organisations which can provide funding for community projects.
These links give a variety of sources of funding available to community groups.
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.
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
Rural Economic Regeneration funding information is available here.
Small Improvement Schemes A maximum of two small improvement schemes can be put forward for consideration each year. For further information and for details of plans currently approaching construction please visit our Small Improvement Schemes page.
Somerset Leader Funding The Somerset Levels and Moors Local Action Group (LAG) and The Western Somerset (LAG), are pleased to announce that over £3m of grants is now available for businesses, farmers, foresters and community groups for projects that will create jobs and benefit the local rural economy through business growth.
Somerset County Council is a partner of both LAGs, and this funding comes through the new LEADER Programme which runs between 2015 and 2020.
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.
More information
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.
The Somerset Fund Unrestricted grants up to £1,500 for grassroots community groups across Somerset. More information.
You can see details of any Somerset District Councils’ grants for community projects here:
Mendip Local Legacy and Community Environment Fund
Sedgemoor grants programme
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. More information.
EDF Hinkley Point C Community Funds You could apply for funding for your community project if:
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
There are also many other funds available through government departments, national charities, trusts and businesses which can provide community funding.
Examples include Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) Avon and Somerset Police Commissioner Community Action Fund The Royal Bath and West Somerset Levels Relief Fund Big Lottery funding – a summary of funding available from the Big Lottery is found on the right of this page under Downloads. 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.
If you know of other funding sources we would be happy to consider adding them to this list.
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.
Stronger Communities
Public Health (Post point 2 B3S) Somerset County Council B3 South County Hall Taunton TA1 4DY
Email:communities@somerset.gov.uk
Big Lottery Fund – Funding Criteria
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