If you represent a local charity, community or voluntary group, you can use this page to apply for the Community Contribution Fund.
Community Contribution Fund 2023-24
The B&NES Community Contribution Fund is a scheme that offers residents the chance to pay into a good causes fund to help local charity, community and voluntary groups to reduce inequalities in the area. Since April 2023, local residents have been donating and the fund total has reached £8,529.32 (as of 6 December 2023).
The Council has now opened the fund for applications. For this financial year (2023-24) small grants of £500 are available to organisations that are supporting residents with the ongoing cost of living crisis, including through the provision of Warm Spaces.
We encourage applications from groups and organisations that are assisting with:
- Access to food, including providing free or low-cost food, community meals, food vouchers, cooking equipment or food skills initiatives (eg cooking on a budget)
- Warm Spaces where groups are incurring additional costs through offering their space
- Any other community initiatives that relate to helping with the cost of living challenge.
Fund eligibility
Any charity, voluntary or community organisation, including Parish Councils, that operates for the benefit of residents in Bath and North East Somerset and is not for profit.
Applicants must have a constitution, relevant organisation policies and procedure (eg safeguarding) and a valid bank account.
Organisations running Warm Spaces are required to have registered on the Council’s Directory and agree to its Warm Spaces Charter before applying for this fund.
Register your Warm Space with the Council
Grant funding total
Organisations can apply for £500 maximum. Only one application per organisation will be accepted (i.e. it is not possible for one organisation to apply separately for a Warm Space and another Cost of Living related project).
Application deadline
The application deadline is 16 February 2024.
Application criteria
All applications must support residents in Bath and North East Somerset.
For applications relating to a Warm Space, this must be registered on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Warm Spaces Directory, which requires signing our Warm Space Charter.
Grants are not available to:
- Individuals
- Bath & North East Somerset Council
- Political groups or activities promoting political beliefs
- Projects which have already been completed
- Activities promoting any religion, faith or belief
Get ready to apply
Starting this application, you'll need the following information:
- Brief description of your organisation aims and activities (200 word limit)
- The location of your project, service or Warm Space if applicable
- How the grant will be spent (200 word limit)
- Contact details
Next steps
Applications will be assessed and final approval on awarding grants will be given by a panel of Councillors. You may be asked to submit further information to support your application. This may include, for example, a copy of your constitution; further information about the project and details of your organisation’s policies and procedures.
Successful applicants will receive the funds as soon as possible but this may require being set up on the Council’s financial system.