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 latest news on BBC Midlands Today
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See our short video highlighting some of the projects we supported in 2023.
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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
£ 2925638 +
Total grants
(2020-Jan 2025)
£ 617539
Total grants
(Apr 2023-Jan 2025)
£ 6640
Average Grant size
93 +
Number of grants
(Apr 2023-Jan 2025)
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
Our Way Self Advocacy – Cat Bennett, ManagerWe have found WCF to be very helpful and responsive to our queries. Our members have got a lot out of the project and we have already seen changes in people’s openness to Hate and Mate Crime. This project has supported the building and maintaining of partnerships with both the Police and Victim Support.
Worcester Film Festival“Your grant gave us the ability to push our festival further than ever before, bring more of the film industry to Worcestershire and to provide a nurturing and educational environment. We want to continue this outreach and grants like this go a long way to helping us achieve this and grow engagement by shining the positivity and potential of this industry into the areas that really need it.”
Sandycroft – Lee Olivia McKenzie, CEOAs usual the level of support we have received has always been supportive and helpful, We feel that every effort is made to help organisations with advice and guidance. WCF has been very accessible and gives you the time to feel heard and encouraged.
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association“Thank you once again in enabling our charity to run this project. Your support had gone a long way in meeting the needs of most vulnerable and marginalised residents in Worcestershire.”
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.”
Our Partners
