DONATE

Funding Local Causes

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

Open for grants up to £5,000

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 usually assessed and decisions made on a rolling basis with outcomes decided within two months. In busy periods this may take longer. If you require a grant for a specific date please ensure this is clear when you complete the application form, and ensure you take the approximate 2 month turnaround into consideration.

Please note this programme is currently closed but will re-open on the 1st February 2025. Please check here for updates.

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 next three rounds are:

Spring 2025 - Deadline 7th March 2025 with decisions known June 2025

Autumn 2025 - Deadline 1st August 2025 with decisions known November 2025

Winter 25/26 - Deadline 5th December 2025 with decisions known February 2026

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.

    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

    To make an application for up to £5,000 please contact grants@hertscf.org.uk to request an application form.

    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.
    HCF Grants Criteria and Guidelines
    HCF Grants Criteria and Guidelines

    Catch up with our latest news

    Christmas Tree Sales Raise Over £2,900 for Hertfordshire Winter Appeal
    We are delighted to announce that we have received an incredibly generous donation of £2,903. 68, thanks to the organisers behind the recent charity Christmas tree sale at Sacombe Green.
    READ MORE
    Winter Appeal to support vulnerable residents
    As temperatures begin to drop, Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) has launched its annual Winter Appeal to provide critical support to the county's most vulnerable residents. .
    READ MORE
    Our latest Annual Review : A year of impact
    We’re excited to share our latest Annual Review, showcasing the incredible work made possible by our generous supporters. .
    READ MORE
    Announcing our new Sustainability Fund
    HCF is proud to announce the launch of The Green Herts Sustainability Fund, a new initiative designed to help VCSE (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise) organisations across Hertfordshire take action against climate change and make their operations more environmentally sustainable. .
    READ MORE