This section is for people who want to apply for funding from a UK community foundation.

Find your local community foundation

All grant-making is done by local community foundations - CFN's national office does not make grants or handle grant applications.

There are some national grant programmes that many community foundations manage. These include:

	Comic Relief
	Fair Share Trust
	Grassroots Grants  Applying for Grassroots Grants is quick, easy and help is available. You can apply for money until March 2011. More information Success stories

All applications for these are managed by local community foundations.

Here we answer:

	What do community foundations fund?
	Do community foundations accept applications from individuals?
	What are community foundations unlikely to fund?
	Where do I find my nearest community foundation?
	Do I apply direct to the community foundation?

What do community foundations fund?

Local community groups and voluntary organisations.

Community foundations can meet all areas of community need, for example:

	arts and culture
	education
	environment
	health
	community development
	children and young people
	older people
	employment and training.

Each community foundation sets its own priorities, and reviews them frequently. Not all foundations can fund all the areas above.

Some community foundations have many funds from which to make grants. They will either advise you on the most appropriate fund to apply to, or have a common application form for all their funds.

The grants adviser at your local community foundation is there to help you through the application process, so don't hesitate to contact them.

Do community foundations accept applications from individuals?

Only a few community foundations have funds available to help individuals, and then only for people who meet precise criteria, for example, a fund specifically for young people leaving care. Usually the emphasis is on grants to community groups and projects.

What are community foundations unlikely to fund?

Each community foundation covers a specific area of the UK and will not normally be able to support work outside its area. They are unlikely to donate to major capital appeals, or to consider standard appeal letters. Most would also rule out projects and services with an exclusively religious purpose. They could not support any work with a party political content. Each community foundation makes its grant-making policy publicly available, so don't hesitate to contact the one in your area.

Where do I find my nearest community foundation?

Finding community foundations gives you full contact details of your nearest foundation including a link to its own website.

Most community foundation websites have a section for grant applicants, explaining local criteria and procedures.

There are nearly 60 community foundations, covering all of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and most parts of England.

Most English community foundations cover a whole county, though some operate in smaller areas. Community foundations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland cover the whole of their countries.

For community foundations in other countries, see Links. Community foundations exist in many countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA.

Do I apply direct to the community foundation?

Yes, all applications need to be made to a local foundation. We are the national office and do not handle any grant applications ourselves. Each community foundation has its own grant-making policy, criteria and time-scales for dealing with grant applications, reflecting local priorities.

Remember that community foundations welcome applications and will do all they can to help. If you feel you meet the broad criteria outlined above, please contact your local community foundation for more information about its grant programmes.