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Funding Local Causes

Grants of up to £5,000, or £10,000 for groups addressing need and deprivation in Hertfordshire

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.

Before deciding to apply for a grant, please read the following documents:


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.


Grants up to £5,000

Requests of £5,000 and below are usually assessed and decisions made on a rolling basis with outcomes decided within two months. In busy periods this may take longer. Over the summer months however, it will be necessary for us to close this programme temporarily to allow for the implementation of a new database. The programme is expected to re-open at the beginning of September, but please check our website for future updates.

  • Application deadline: 30th June 2025


Apply for up to £5k here

Grants up to £10,000

Requests for up to £10,000 are considered by our Grants Committee and they meet to consider applications throughout the year whilst funds are available.

The closing dates for the upcoming rounds are:
  • Application deadline Autumn 2025: 15th August 2025 with decisions known late-November 2025

  • Application deadline Winter 25/26: 5 December 2025 with decisions known February 2026


Apply for up to £10k 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 Household Support Fund. If in doubt, please contact the Grants Team on 01707 251 351 or email grants@hertscf.org.uk

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.

  • 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

  • Harpenden Building Society - projects supporting residents of Harpenden.



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.

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