HPC Community Fund Open Grants

HPC Community Fund Open Grants is sponsored by Somerset Community Foundation. Supports local groups in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C, funding projects, refurbishments, or equipment purchases.

HPC Community Fund Small Grants - Somerset Community Foundation Our Collective Giving Funds The Somerset Arts and Heritage Fund The Somerset Environment Fund The Somerset Older People’s Fund The Somerset Wellbeing Fund The Somerset Forever Fund Grant Terms and Conditions HPC Community Fund Small Grants Grant size: £20,000 over 3 years, or up to £10,000 if project is 1 year Apply by: Open year-round.

Next deadline is Monday 24 August 2026, by 5pm. Decision in: Decisions made every 2 months. Next decision late September 2026.

Who is it for? Local groups normally running on under £250,000 that are working in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C. What is it for?

To run projects, refurbish buildings or buy equipment. What can we use this money for? Hinkley Point C (HPC) is one of the biggest developments that Somerset has ever seen.

Building work started in 2017 and is expected to continue until at least 2027. It’s making a big difference to the lives of people living nearby, particularly in places like Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and the surrounding villages. The differences that people are experiencing have changed over the years.

There have been new opportunities for people living in the area, but HPC has also impacted some people’s quality of life. This fund is for communities living with these changes. You can ask us for money if your group works in one of these communities and you have an idea to make the local area better.

Whatever you ask for, it must improve community wellbeing and quality of life. In 2025, we ran an extensive community-led research project. We're now using what we learned to redesign the HPC Community Fund, so funding reaches the communities most affected by Hinkley Point C and leaves a lasting difference.

We'd encourage you to talk to us as early as you can, so we can help make sure your project fits with our priorities. We can only consider your group for a grant from this fund if you meet our minimum standards and need money for an area impacted by HPC.

Our minimum standards cover things like: the types of groups we can give a grant to and how we expect them to be run how we expect groups to manage their finances how groups keep people safe. All of our minimum standards are on our Frequently Asked Questions page, where you can find lots of information about applying for funding.

You can also use our eligibility checker which will help you understand if you can apply for a grant from us. When do we have to apply? This Fund is open all year round.

There are 6 deadlines during the year. How likely am I to get a grant? Sadly, we can’t give funding to every group that applies to us.

We have around £200,000 to give out from the fund this year. We’re usually able to support 2 out of every 3 applications we receive.

We’re more likely to give you money if your group is: in communities that have experienced bigger impacts from Hinkley Point C supported by many people in the wider community clearly addressing the impacts of HPC, or making the most of the opportunities it creates working closely with other organisations to make sure everyone can benefit offering good value for money thinking about what will happen after the funding ends.

The Socio-Economic Advisory Group (SEAG) monitors a set of core indicators relating to the building of Hinkley Point C. These are reported to the government, stakeholders and investors. The data included in these reports can be a useful tool when applying to the HPC Community Fund.

Your application will be assessed by one of our team. They’ll read through what you have written, look at your supporting documents and check places like the Charity Commission and your website. We may contact you if we have any questions.

When we assess your application, we look at a number of different things. For example: A small sports club noticed the local population has grown and people new to the area are unfamiliar with the community. The club believes this population rise is because they are based near Hinkley Point C, on the route for the park-and-ride.

They know sport has been shown to bring people together and form good relationships in communities. But their facilities are old and unattractive and people are travelling to other clubs instead. The club applies for funding to refurbish their facilities.

They want this to make their club more attractive to local people and help create a better community spirit. The sports club noticed that traffic had increased through the village. This was backed up in a parish council meeting, where members of the public raised concerns about the impact on the village.

The club members have also had conversations with their neighbours and friends, who say their journey to other sports facilities has been affected by the increased traffic. The club’s plan is to offer more attractive local facilities, which they hope will bring the local population back to the club.

In turn, this will reduce the number of journeys made for leisure in the area, reducing traffic and contributing to the environmental and social wellbeing of the community. The sports club has been a long-standing organisation in the village. The parish council sees it as an important place to improve people’s health and fitness.

A supportive local councillor writes a letter of support for the project. They highlight how the population has grown and that the community believes this is because of HPC. The parish council has also given some funding to the club, to show how important it is to the community.

The club is in contact with their local GP social prescribing team, which has also sent a letter to show their support for the club. The sports club has been running for 10 years. The management team has successfully completed several upgrades and repairs to the facilities, demonstrating their capability to see this project through.

The club also has a strong safeguarding policy, which helps them keep their younger members as well as vulnerable adults safe. The project plan has clear deadlines and timings, so any delays can be dealt with. There’s evidence of a strong committee which represents different members of the community.

The club can show good financial controls and money management. The plan clearly shows the costs, including several quotes for the work to be completed. The club has arranged funding from other sources, including a fundraising event held by members and a grant from the parish council.

The planned timeline for the work is realistic and the contractor the club has selected is experienced in working on sports facilities. The sports club refurbishment has an expected lifespan of 15 years. This will leave a good legacy for the HPC Community Fund in the village and provide the club with facilities that will stand the test of time.

We’ll usually then make a recommendation – and a panel will make the final decision. The panel is made up of people from SCF, Somerset Council and EDF as well as independent community members. How do I apply to this programme?

You can apply if your group: improves community wellbeing and quality of life in areas affected by HPC meets our minimum standards. The next step is to fill in our online application form. Get help with this funding programme This funding programme is managed by Olivia Gore, our Programmes Manager.

Olivia Gore can help if you: aren’t sure if this is the best fund to apply for aren’t sure if you meet our minimum standards can’t use our online form, need extra support with your application or if English isn’t your first language can’t attach the documents we’ve asked for. You can also book a time to meet with Olivia Gore online. olivia.

gore@somersetcf. org. uk Working days: Tues - Thurs and Friday mornings Grant size: £20,000 over 3 years, or up to £10,000 if project is 1 year Apply by: Open year-round.

Next deadline is Monday 24 August 2026, by 5pm. Decision in: Decisions made every 2 months. Next decision late September 2026.

Who is it for? Local groups normally running on under £250,000 that are working in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C. What is it for?

To run projects, refurbish buildings or buy equipment. Check if you’re eligible to apply for our grants & funding. You can find our minimum standards and everything else you need to know about applying on our FAQs page.

Our other grants for Groups Somerset Crisis and Resilience Alliance Grant size Around £40,000 to £80,000 per year Apply by Friday 4 September 2026, by 5pm (expressions of interest only) Decision in We'll let groups know by the end of September whether to proceed to a full application. Who is it for? Established groups that can deliver coordinated, community-led support.

What is it for? To build longer-term financial resilience in Neighbourhood areas. Closed.

Expected to re-open: N/A Somerset Older People's Fund Who is it for? Local groups based in Somerset working with older people. What is it for?

Projects helping older people in Somerset live healthier, more connected lives, including support for people living with dementia and those who care for them. Closed. Expected to re-open: TBC Waste Not Somerset Fund Grant size £5,000 to £10,000 Who is it for?

Organisations that reduce and prevent waste and encourage more re-use, repair and recycling and reduce waste going to disposal in Somerset. What is it for? Project or capital costs for new projects/initiatives, development or growth of existing work or replicating successful work in new locations.

Closed. Expected to re-open: Autumn 2026 Stronger Communities Fund Who is it for? Community-led groups based in Somerset (excluding BANES and North Somerset) that meet our minimum standards.

What is it for? To support communities to thrive through meaningful connections, community places and helping people reach their potential. Closed.

Expected to re-open: TBC WCS Pickford Trust Fund Who is it for? Local groups that operate within the parish of South Barrow. What is it for?

To run activities, services or facilities that benefit individuals living in South Barrow. Closed. Expected to re-open: TBC Supporting Care Leavers Grant size Approximately £10,000 to £75,000 Who is it for?

Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards. What is it for? To support the health and wellbeing of care leavers, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, through sports-based activities.

Closed. Expected to re-open: Autumn 2026 Festive Fund for Somerset Who is it for? Charities, community groups, sports clubs, and social enterprises.

What is it for? Covers the cost of food and/or festive activities. Closed.

Expected to re-open: Early 2027 Mendip Hills Fund Who is it for? Organisations that operate in the Mendip Hills National Character Area (NCA 141), which runs up to but not including Frome, that meet our minimum standards. We can also consider projects in adjacent areas where benefit to the Mendip Hills and its communities can be demonstrated.

What is it for? To support projects that benefit communities and the environment of the Mendip Hills National Landscape. Closed.

Expected to re-open: Autumn 2026 The Gooch Charitable Fund Grant size Smaller capital and project grants up to £5,000. Larger capital grants between £5,000 and £50,000. Larger capital grants are usually paid over 2-3 years.

Who is it for? Organisations that benefit people living in Ilminster or the TA19 postcode. What is it for?

To support project costs, like staff time, activities and other running costs or capital costs, like equipment or buildings. HPC Community Fund Open Grants Grant size Multi-year grants over £10,000 per year Apply by Open year-round. Next deadline Monday 7 September 2026, at 5pm.

Decision in Decisions made every 3 months. Next decision late October, 2026. If you're applying for over £50,000, it'll take around 8 months to reach a decision.

Who is it for? Local groups working in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C. What is it for?

To run projects, refurbish buildings or buy equipment. Closed. Expected to re-open: Autumn 2026 Churchstanton Community Fund Grant size Average of £500 Who is it for?

Local groups in the parish of Churchstanton. What is it for? To run activities, services or facilities that benefit residents.

Closed. Expected to re-open: April 2027 Wessex Water Environment Fund Who is it for? Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards.

What is it for? To improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the environment for local people. Closed.

Expected to re-open: September 2026 Wessex Water Community Fund Who is it for? Local groups based in Somerset that meet our minimum standards. What is it for?

To support community-based activities or projects that meet a local need and seek to improve the lives of local people who are most in need of support. Apply by Mon 12th October 2026 Decision in Late November 2026 Who is it for? Local groups in the parish of Oake.

Somerset Social Investment Programme Grant size Funding up to £40,000, blending an unsecured loan with grant funding. The loan will have a fixed interest rate. Apply by Friday 21 August 2026 Decision in End of September 2026 Who is it for?

Local groups looking for social investment. What is it for? To grow income from selling goods or services.

Be the first to hear about upcoming grants & funding Our Approach to Investment Acceptance and Refusal of Donations Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement Our Approach to Investment Acceptance and Refusal of Donations Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN Registered Charity No. 1094446 .

Registered in England and Wales No. 4530979. Grant Terms and Conditions Our Collective Giving Funds The Somerset Arts and Heritage Fund The Somerset Environment Fund The Somerset Older People’s Fund The Somerset Wellbeing Fund The Somerset Forever Fund