Fund for Wales
The Fund for Wales is a national community endowment fund, managed and promoted by Community Foundation Wales.
It is a philanthropy promotion and grant-making programme which raises money from people and organisations across Wales, the UK, and overseas who want to ‘give back’ to support and strengthen local communities: the Fund for Wales connects people who care with causes that matter.
In 2020 Community Foundation Wales published the findings of a piece of research undertaken with more than 100 community groups across Wales. Our Loud and Clear report highlighted that charities and community groups in Wales want funders to prioritise core funding and longer-term partnerships. We have used the learning in this report to help us to shape our Fund for Wales and to show groups that we believe in their core purpose and want to support them to work more effectively in their community’s longer term.
We recognise how important it is for groups to be able to plan for the future and that having secure funding can give you the confidence and reassurance to develop your project over the long-term. Fund for Wales now offers groups the opportunity to apply for multi-year funding of up to 3 years but will also continue to offer 1 year project or small capital item funding.
We hope to be able to make at least one three-year grant per year. To be considered for a three-year grant please complete the additional section of the application form indicating how you plan to develop your project over the period of funding being applied for. NB. Your application will still be considered for one year funding if you are not successful with a three-year grant.
We also recognise the challenge of finding core funding, especially longer term. Groups can now apply for funding towards core costs for up to 3 years, providing the group can provide accounts for at least the last 12 months and the amount being applied for is less that 50% of your annual turn over. EG. To apply for a grant of £2,000 per year, your annual income should be at least £4,000.
Grants Available
Grants of between £500 – £2,000 will be awarded to small, volunteer-driven community organisations whose applications aim to deliver the following outcomes:
Improving people’s chances in life
Building stronger communities
Improving rural and urban environments
Encouraging healthier and more active people and communities
Preserving heritage and culture
Grants can support full or partial costs of, for example: projects costs, small capital items & equipment, core costs, activities and programmes (e.g. room hire, transport costs, volunteer expenses, insurance, tutor fees, community events).
Who can apply?
This Fund is open to constituted community-based charities and organisations (e.g. associations, social enterprises and clubs):
whose beneficiaries are all in Wales
with an income of less than £100,000 in the latest reported financial year
which are volunteer-driven and have no more than one full-time equivalent member of staff throughout the year
Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate exactly how they will meet the Fund’s objectives and priorities, and who have not previously received support from this Fund.
To apply, visit: https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/fund-for-wales/