Who can apply

Who can apply

At Berkshire Community Foundation, we fund local charities and community groups that are making a real difference to people facing disadvantage across Berkshire.

If your organisation is rooted in the community and supporting people who need it most, we’d love to hear from you.

We fund organisations that:

• Improve the lives of disadvantaged people in Berkshire

• Address inequality, hardship and community need

• Deliver clear, meaningful outcomes

• Can demonstrate evidence of local demand

Who can't apply

We are unable to fund:

• Individuals

• Projects primarily delivered outside of Berkshire

• Retrospective costs (activities already completed)

• Regional or national charities without a clearly defined Berkshire branch

Financial Restrictions

We cannot fund organisations that:

• Are holding more than 12 months unrestricted reserves

• Have an annual operating budget above £2 million

We also do not fund:

• Political or religious campaigning

• Medical research

• Large capital projects (including vehicles, property purchase or major building works over £5,000)

• One-off events such as award ceremonies (unless they directly address significant need and demonstrate clear outcomes)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for funding from Berkshire Community Foundation, your organisation must meet all of the following:

Be not for profit

This includes:

• Registered charities

• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

• Community Interest Companies (CICs)

• Constituted voluntary or community groups operating on a non-profit basis

Deliver work in Berkshire

Your organisation must:

• Operate within Berkshire

• Provide direct benefit to people or communities in the county

Be Established and Financially Sound

You must:

• Have been operating for at least 12 months

• Provide 12 months of financial records e.g. annual accounts

• Submit your most recent annual accounts

• Demonstrate sound financial management

• Be up to date with any reporting if previously funded by BCF

Have Strong Governance in Place

You must have:

• A governing document (constitution or equivalent)

• A management committee or board of trustees

• A bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two unrelated signatories

Have Appropriate Policies

You must have:

• An equality and diversity policy

• If you work with children or vulnerable adults, you must have:

• A safeguarding policy

Demonstrate Clear Need and Impact

Your application must show:

• Evidence of the community need you are addressing

• Clear intended outcomes

• An itemised budget for the work you are seeking funding for

Which grant should you apply for?

We offer several funding rounds throughout the year, including:

• Grants for Older People

• Priority Grants

• Surviving Winter

• Grassroots Grants

• Small & Vital (for organisations with an operating budget under £10,000)

Each round has different eligibility criteria and maximum grant amounts.