Grants of up to £10,000 for groups addressing need and deprivation in Hertfordshire

Open for grants up to £5,000 or £10,000

Grants are available for projects that are addressing identified need and benefitting residents of Hertfordshire.

Successful applications from this programme are funded by a range of the individual, family and corporate funds managed by HCF. You can let us know if you are applying to a specific fund, but we will always try to match you to the funds available.

Requests of £5,000 and below are assessed and decisions made on a rolling basis, with approximately a 2 month turnaround although this may be longer during busy periods. If you require a grant for a specific date please ensure this is clear in your application form.

Requests for up to £10,000 go to our Grants Committee for decisions. The grants panel meets to consider applications throughout the year whilst funds are available. The deadlines for future £10,000 grant rounds are as follows:

Spring: Now Passed. Deadline Friday 12th April 2024 with decisions known June 2024

Summer: Deadline Friday 13th September 2024 with decisions known November 2024

Winter: Deadline Friday 13th December 2024 with decisions known February 2025

Please note our average grant size is £5,386 and 78% of our grants are for £5,000 and below.

How to apply

HCF are looking for projects that:

Are meeting an identified need in the county

Can demonstrate how the money requested will help them to make a positive difference (i.e. have clear objectives and outcomes).

Are well thought through and costed appropriately.

Are well connected to the communities they serve.

Will be able to spend the funding requested within 12 months of the grant being awarded.

You must also meet our HCF Grants criteria which are available here.

You can only hold one grant at a time from the HCF Foundation Grants programme, but you can hold a HCF Grant alongside grants from other programmes, for the example the Police and Crime Commissioner's Action Fund. If in doubt, please contact the Grants Team on 01707 251 351 or email grants@hertscf.org.uk

To make an application for up to £5,000 please click here.

To make an application for up to £10,000 please click here.

Specific funds

We manage a large number of funds and make grants to address a broad range of needs in the county. The following funds are a select few which are available for specific themes or geographic areas. They are not the only funds available, so please do apply regardless of whether your work fits these areas. HCF will take successful applications to a variety of our managed funds, however if you have applied with a specific fund in mind you can let us know in your application.

Environmental Fund (click here for more information)

Friends of Bushey Seniors - grants for groups supporting older residents of Bushey and surrounds, including Watford and South Oxhey

Elliston Family Fund - projects supporting adults in Welwyn Garden City

The Frank Litchfield Trust - projects addressing need and deprivation within 25 miles of Royston

Are you new to fundraising? Have you already tried but want to improve your effectiveness? If your answer is "yes" to either of these, then you will benefit from the courses provided by HCF Training and Development. Click here for more information about training and support available.

HCF Grants Criteria and Guidelines
HCF Grants Criteria and Guidelines

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Liz Green, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, publicly recognised and rewarded ten Hertfordshire voluntary organisations at the 2024 High Sheriff Awards ceremony held on Tuesday, 26 March 2024. The annual Awards, now in their 29th year, celebrate the excellent work undertaken by charitable groups and individuals who have made a significant contribution to Hertfordshire’s communities.

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