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.
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.
Testimonials
St Paul’s Hostel – Annamarie Brant, Fundraising Officer“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.”
Batchley Support GroupWithout the support of the Community Pantry I would be dead, there is nothing left after I pay my bills.
(Interview by Sky News)
Trustee, Kidderminster & District Youth Trust“The support of Worcestershire Community Foundation has provided accurate and timely support, enabling KDYT to continue to deliver services to young people and the wider community, from Youth House and in the local community.”
Catshill Food Bank“We cannot express enough what your help has meant. Our usual routes of donations dried up and without the financial support we wouldn’t have been able to continue. Your contribution to this has been so helpful for us.”
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.”
Our Partners
