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
Feedback
New College WorcesterOur WCF grant was to support our students Mental Health & Wellbeing. The project is still on-going and is proving to be very successful. Students can easily access support and one of the key points to come out is that ‘it is good to talk’. As a result the students now have an excellent support network, which is great news.
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.”
Ruth Heywood CEO Worcester Community TrustWith hundreds of women and children supported through our domestic abuse support service DAWN each year, we are delighted to be able to offer the Survivors Network: a peer led network to build confidence, skills and offer support to families. Thank you to Worcestershire Community Foundation for making this vital work possible!
Faith Sanderson CEO of Worcester Community Trust“With hundreds of women and children supported through our domestic abuse support service DAWN each year, we are delighted to be able to offer the Survivors Network: a peer led network to build confidence, skills and offer support to families. Thank you to Worcestershire Community Foundation for making this vital work possible!”
Behind the smile“Thank you ever so much for your email and the generous donation of the grant. We are very grateful and so pleased to receive this, it is our first grant, which will be put to good use as soon as possible to support people with mental ill-health in Worcester.”
Our Supporters
