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.
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. For 17 years we have been working with funders and delivering innovative funding programmes to charities and community groups. During 2020, we have distributed £650,000 of Covid-response funding to support 150+ projects and programmes throughout the county.
Our knowledge of the sector means that we know where funding can make or break a community initiative; we like to make greater impacts by supporting smaller, lesser known charities who often struggle to be financially sustainable, ensuring our awards create lasting change.
Our Impact
£ 2000000 +
Total grants
(2013-19)
£ 650000
Total grants (2020)
£ 4333
Average Grant size
150 +
Number of grants
(2020)
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 across the county to target our funding and make maximum impact. We currently distribute funds which:
- Support Covid-response initiatives across the county
- 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 children and young people facing mental health issues
- Support arts delivery and innovative cultural projects
- Support vulnerable families particularly during/post the Covid-19 Pandemic
- Support local sports clubs and organisations to empower young people to become more active and improve their wellbeing
Feedback
Springfield Mind Training Lead: Paol Stuart-Thomson“I wanted to say a massive thank you for facilitating Thursday’s brilliant Royal Visit. It was excellent and such a privilege to attend. We got a huge amount out of the day and equally from the networking, which was invaluable, it seemed that everyone managed to do this prior to lunch so they seemed to scoot off quickly once HRH went for lunch. However, for us it was really great to make contacts going forward. It was a momentous day, perhaps a once in a lifetime event and just a huge thanks from all of us at Springfield Mind.”
Droitwich RFC“With Worcestershire Community Foundation’s help, we have been distributing free breakfast sandwiches to all areas of the community. The smiles & letters of thanks have made the new project worth it already; particularly for many shielding elderly who have not enjoyed a bacon sandwich for months, the project is certainly helping raise spirits at such a difficult time. Droitwich RFC with the help of CVS will continue to innovate & help the community where ever possible. With the support WCF have given, this work can only continue to go from strength to strength.”
Clare Thomas CEO at Worcester and Malvern Hills Age UK“We were delighted to receive notification that we had been awarded £3,400 from the COVID grant scheme. Many of our clients are in urgent need of human contact again and to be supported to re–engage with activities in their local communities. This grant will help us to do that, by providing opportunities for them to come together to participate in gentle exercise sessions and tea and chat. It will also mean that we can support particularly vulnerable groups in this way, for example people with dementia.”
Simply LimitlessThe WCF funding has allowed us to purchase video equipment which has been crucial for Simply Limitless to continue operating and providing vital support to our community. Loneliness is a pandemic in its own right that has only been made worse with Covid-19. Being able to connect to people virtually and provide them support and encouragement via our groups, and to help people keep physically active and engaged is so important. We have been able to support people form toddlers to older people and everyone in between by running our groups online via services such as Zoom, YouTube and Facebook. Thank you for the support.
Oasis Community Hub“The grant that was awarded to us by the Worcestershire Community Fund has been invaluable in allowing us to build our food and family support projects over the summer. With the support received we have been able to grow this to include weekly freshly prepared ready meals as well as the provision of summer food hampers for the most vulnerable families. Alongside this goes the infrastructure to support these operations including: training for volunteers, PPE, methods to safely store and organise food before it is delivered out.”
Our Supporters
