Community Grants

We support activities that have a clear and direct impact on community engagement, community development or local support.

That may include local projects, community events, practical support activities, equipment, venue hire, accessibility items, safety items, reusable resources, materials or other meaningful costs that help the activity take place.

A strong application should clearly explain:

1. What the grant will pay for.
2. Who will benefit.
3. Where the activity will take place.
4. How the project, event or activity will make a difference.
5. Why the cost is needed.
6. Whether the item or resource can be used again in the future.

The grant should be for something specific and practical. We’re more likely to support an application for things like equipment, hall hire, activity materials or accessibility resources than a general request for money.

Examples of stronger applications

• A community group applying for venue hire and activity materials for a local community event.
• A disability sports group applying for equipment that helps participants take part safely.
• A local riding group applying for a GoPro camera and mounting equipment so disabled children can record and remember their riding sessions.
• A community association applying for reusable games, tables or materials for a local event.
• A club that needs to repair a leaky roof in a building used to provide facilities for disabled children.

Applications can be considered from people living or working in Hampshire & IOW, Bournemouth, Reading, Newbury, Woking, Guildford and surrounding areas , provided the application meets the criteria and relates to a local charity, community event, project or activity.

We do not normally support applications from:

1. National charities.
2. Schools.
3. Organisations primarily or partly funded by local government, including local authorities, their organisations and subsidiaries.
4. Organisations set up, supported or run by housing associations.
5. Corporate bodies.
6. Organisations that have access to internal, statutory or corporate funding sources.
7. Groups which may be considered socially disruptive.
8. Organisations promoting political activities or religious beliefs.

1. Wages or salary costs.
2. Food or refreshments.
3. Household or organisational bills.
4. General running costs.
5. Coaching fees.
6. Debt repayment.
7. Fundraising costs where the benefit is not directly local.
8. Vague or unclear costs.
9. Applications where it is not clear what the grant will directly pay for.

1. Any beneficiary of the grant must be made aware by the applicant of the application and its conditions and be happy for it to go ahead.
2. The event, project or activity must take place in Hampshire & IOW, Reading, Newbury, Bracknell, Bournemouth and surrounding areas.
3. We will only consider one application for the same beneficiary, even if submitted by different members.
4. If the grant is awarded, payment will be made by cheque payable to the event, project or activity.
5. Grant payments will not be made to individuals or persons.
6. We cannot accept applications from organisations set up, supported or run by local authorities, housing associations, or corporate or government bodies which have access to internal funding sources.
7. The beneficiary gives full permission for the grant to be used in any publicity and articles for the press.
8. Successful applicants, events or beneficiaries will be published on the Wessex Community Bank website and details may also be posted to our social media pages. We may also request that our logo be included in literature, brochures or promotional material related to the event.
9. The beneficiary is fully responsible for all accountancy rules regarding grant funding and any potential VAT liability.
10. If the requested grant event does not take place and is permanently cancelled, Wessex Community Bank will request a refund of the grant without entering into a dispute.