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 the 18 months of the pandemic from March 2020 to October 2021, we have distributed over £1.5 million of funding to support 350+ 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
£ 3500000 +
Total grants
(2013-21)
£ 1500000
Total grants (2020/2021)
£ 4285
Average Grant size
350 +
Number of grants
(2020/2021)
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
Like U“We have nothing but praise for WCF. You are the first ones that believed in us, and you were the initial push we needed to succeed. We will never forget what you’ve done for us, and we really hope this is not the end of our journey.”
Nigel Huddleston MP & Minister for Civil Society‘The Worcestershire Community Foundation has done great work for many years, but I have been particularly impressed with your response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Those grants across the county are very welcome, and on behalf of all my constituents may I take this opportunity to thank you and your colleagues for all your work these past few months.’
Malvern Hills Foodbank“The WCF grant was used to help 77 large families who were identified as needing extra help during the pandemic.”
Your Ideas Youth & Community project“Thanks to funding received from WCF we were able to continue to run our Spectrum project working with children and young people with high functioning autism. We were able to run 5 weeks of summer clubs open to all 165 members. We were able to purchase the necessary cleaning and hygiene products to keep our building and work Covid secure. The funding also allowed us to increase our staff hours where we simply would not have been able to, and at points we had 4 full time workers. We were able to purchase equipment for young people who were unable to make the sessions – due to shielding or reluctance due to high anxiety – to keep them engaged with our work.”
Worcester Warriors“The funding from the Covid response fund was incredibly important as it has meant that the Warriors Community Foundation has been able to continue to deliver most of its projects when times have allowed and maintain constant contact with participants. Last summer we continued practical delivery throughout and thanks to the grant were able to support many people through our wide range of projects. We are pleased to say that currently all of our projects are already up and running or due to be very soon. We would like to thank Worcestershire Community Foundation for their support that has meant we are able to offer vital sports sessions to our participants which have contributed to better mental health and well-being for them.”
Our Supporters
