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What we do

We are a charitable hub for the whole county – dedicated to helping to ensure that Worcestershire is a better place to live and work. We are passionate in supporting communities to not just survive but thrive. We champion local causes, raise funds and provide a voice for the voluntary and community sector. We are part of a network of 47 national place-based Community Foundations which provide invaluable support to communities all over the UK by raising and giving out substantial funds every year. Over the past 30 years, our network has given out grants of over £1 billion to causes that really need help.

See our short video highlighting some of the projects we supported in 2023.

Click here to view.

About WCF

We are an independent charity which strengthens local communities by providing funding for community-led projects throughout Worcestershire.

WCF was established in 2003 to help people and organisations give to essential causes where there is real need. We work with funders to deliver innovative funding programmes to charities and community groups.

Our knowledge of the sector means that we know where funding can make or break a community initiative; we like to make greater impact by supporting smaller, lesser known charities who often struggle to be financially sustainable, ensuring our awards create lasting change.

Find out more

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Our Impact

£ 2308100 +

Total grants
(2020/2023)

£ 808091

Total grants (2022/2023)

£ 4927

Average Grant size

164 +

Number of grants
(2022/2023)

We hold funds which give out grants to support areas of the county that really need help. We work with leading social impact organisations and delivery groups to target our funding and make maximum impact. We currently distribute funds which:

  • Support isolated older people in rural areas
  • Help young people become empowered and engaged with their local community
  • Support women and girls in challenging circumstances who wish to regain control of their lives
  • Help people facing mental health issues
  • Support arts delivery and innovative cultural projects
  • Support local sports clubs and organisations to empower people to become more active and improve their wellbeing
  • Support positive initiatives to develop community cohesion or address early-stage crime prevention
  • Support vulnerable families during economic crisis and provide vital supplies (including food & goods)
  • Support work in areas of disability, poor health, abuse, homelessness, isolation, minority groups, poverty & fuel poverty, refugees, schools, veterans and volunteer networks.

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Testimonials

Chairman, Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra Image

“Your charity’s grant monies acted as a wonderful foundation of trust on which we built an event that was totally unforgettable.”

Chairman, Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra
Charlotte Layland, Fundraising and Communications Manager, Worcestershire YMCA Limited Image

“We are extremely thankful for the funding we have received and it has made a huge impact on our young people who have taken part as well as their local communities.”

Charlotte Layland, Fundraising and Communications Manager, Worcestershire YMCA Limited
Our Way Self Advocacy Beneficiary Image

“Sharing my story and what happened, and listening to others has made me realise it’s not just me, and that perhaps it didn’t happen to me because I had done something wrong. I hope I can help stop someone else from feeling how I did.”

Our Way Self Advocacy Beneficiary
Our Way Self Advocacy – Image

We have found WCF to be very helpful and responsive to our queries. Our members have got a lot out of the project and we have already seen changes in people’s openness to Hate and Mate Crime. This project has supported the building and maintaining of partnerships with both the Police and Victim Support.

Our Way Self Advocacy – Cat Bennett, Manager
St Paul’s Hostel – Annamarie Brant, Fundraising Officer Image

“We are extremely grateful for the support we receive. We are delighted to have been successful with this funding grant and are able to offer more services to further meet the needs of this vulnerable client group. It is wonderful to see the impact of such funding in such a short time and warming to see the engagement of our participants. Offering something new enables us to reach some that would not have engaged otherwise.”

St Paul’s Hostel – Annamarie Brant, Fundraising Officer

Our Stories

29th January 2025

Mentor Link Recruit 38 New Volunteer Mentors

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23rd January 2025

The Hub Bromsgrove LGBTQ+ Youth Project

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View All

Latest News & Events

  • Bonterre Rural Skills and Social Group

    News

    5th February 2025

    Bonterre Rural Skills & Social Group Opening

    Read More
  • News

    30th January 2025

    Congratulations to the Myriad Centre on their £10,000 grant

    Read More
More News

Our Partners

Mentor Link Image
Yellow Scarf Image
Bromsgrove & Redditch Welcomes Refugees Image
Sandycroft Centre Image
Maggs Day Centre Image
Aurum Image
Stepway Image
The Hub Bromsgrove Image
Wyre Forest & South Worcestershire Nightstop Image
Our Way Self Advocacy Image
Worcester Theatres Image
Oasis Community Hub Warndon Image
Open Trail Image
St Paul’s Hostel Image
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Image
Spectrum Days Image
Alzheimer’s Society Image
New College Worcester Image
Like U Image
Caring Hands In the Vale Image
Malvern Hills Foodbank Image
Worcester Warriors Community Foundation Image
Catshill Baptist Church Image
Megan Baker House Image
The Wyre Forest Hospice Image
Wellbeing and Recovery College Image
West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre Image
YSS Image
Young Solutions Image
Worcestershire County Council Image
Worcester Snoezelen Image
Worcester City Council Image
Worcester Cares Image
Worcester Community Trust Image
Unlocking Potential Image
University of Worcester Image
UK Community Foundations Image
The Monday Night Club Image
The Forge Image
Tampon Tax Community Fund Image
High Sheriff Image
Ryce Image
Redditch Boxing Academy Image
Pershore Riverside Youth Centre Image
Our Side Image
Jigsaw Image
#iwill Image
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Image
Harrison Clark Rickerbys Image
DRPG Image
Cottage in the Wood Image
Community First Image
CCLA Image
Bromsgrove and Redditch Network Image
Bradley Haynes Law Image
Kendall Wadley Image
Sanctuary Image
Malvern Image
Homexperts Image
Hewitt Image
Goodrich Image
Worcester Ambassadors Image
Worcester Bosch Image
White Image