Avonmouth Area Community Fund

Alongside the expansion of our Avonmouth water recycling centre, the Wessex Water Foundation will be supporting projects that aim to improve the lives of people in the local area. The fund will open on 1 July 2024.

About the Avonmouth Area Community Fund

The fund is designed to support activities that will benefit communities in the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward, including Shirehampton.

Priority will be given to projects that fulfil one or more of the following criteria:

• improve the availability of activities and support for young people aged 11+
• increase opportunities for improving health and wellbeing, including access to the natural environment
• improve access to job-related skills and training.

We have also committed to supporting a project that directly benefits the natural environment in this area.

What can our grants be used for?

You can apply for a grant to go towards a new activity or continue something you are already doing.

We won’t award a grant to cover any costs that have already been incurred, and you should plan to start spending the grant within six months of it being awarded.

A grant can be used to cover any reasonable costs for your project, including:

• running costs, such as salaries
• core costs for key activities
• project and activity costs
• the cost of kit or equipment.

Who can apply?

Applicants must meet our criteria and be delivered within the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward.

The following types of organisations can apply for a grant:

• constituted voluntary or community organisations
• registered charities
• not-for-profit companies, including Community Interest Companies that are not limited by shares, where most directors receive no payment from the company
• schools – if the activity is open to the wider community and takes place outside normal school hours.

You must be based and working in the area covered by Wessex Water and the Quartet Community Foundation (covering Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire).

Priority will be given to groups and organisations that already have a presence and are working within the boundaries of the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward (please see a map of the ward below).

You can still apply if you are not currently working within the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward. However, you must demonstrate that you have established links with other groups and organisations based within the ward to deliver the work outlined in your application.

While there is no restriction to the size of your organisation, the size of your reserves and your access to other sources of funding will be considered.

How much can you apply for?

You can apply for:

• a grant of £5,000 to cover a project for up to a year
• a grant of £10,000 to cover a project for up to two years.

Who is not eligible?

We will not provide grants to:

• large capital projects
• individuals
• one-off events
• projects that take place before an application can be processed
• activities that raise funds for other organisations or causes.

Find out more about eligibility on the Quartet Community Foundation's website.