Community Funding

We open the Community Fund for applications four times a year:

• 1-21 April 2024
• 1 – 21 July 2024
• 1-21 October 2024
• 1-21 January 2025

You can apply for up to £3,000 to support a project in one of our communities across the south of England (find out more about where we operate here). The rising cost of living is having a big impact on our customers and communities, so we will be prioritising applications that consider the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Although we are keen to support projects that help everyone in the community, it's important for applicants to demonstrate how you'll specifically be able to support customers living in Abri homes.

Some of the organisations we’ve already supported are:

• The Baby Bank in Windsor for their sleeping and playing safely project, helping families facing financial difficulties.
• The Cowshed, near Reading for Noahs Boxes – a kitchen essentials kit of 35+ items to support those going into their own accommodation.
• The Friendly Food Club in Bournemouth for their ‘meet, cook and eat’ cookery workshops.
• Level Up Gosport to support young people in Gosport learn employability skills through community volunteering.
• Driven Forward to support the ongoing sustainment of the community fridge in Clewer and Dedworth, and to help families and adults who are financially struggling to provide food for their families and the community.
• St Peters Community Centre, in Yeovil, to support their food pantry and set up toddler activity sessions.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible along with all the supporting documents.

Applications will be considered by our funding panel, which is made up of customers and those living in our communities. And we’ll share whether you’ve been successful within four weeks of the window closing. For successful applicants we will aim to make payment eight weeks after the window closes, subject to all supporting documentation being received and due diligence checks being completed.

If funding is successful, you'll be expected to report progress against your intended outcomes and provide a summary report of your project. We may also be in contact to arrange a visit from a member of the funding team and/or the panel.

We welcome applications from local, voluntary organisations and community groups. We can also consider those from small charities and not for profit organisations. Our priority is to support those projects that encourage good use of community assets. The panel are looking for projects that bring communities together to support each other, find companionship, comfort and essential information that will support our communities during the cost-of-living crisis.

We’re proud of the difference our Community Fund makes. It’s one way we can help drive change, transform our communities, and provide opportunities.

It’s what our Community Strategy and five-year £15m community investment is all about – empowering communities, improving health and wellbeing and securing employment opportunities.

To find out more, download an application form below.