Started in 1996, Hertfordshire Children's Fund provides practical support to disadvantaged children aged 0-18 (aged 0-25 for children with disabilities) and their families in Hertfordshire by providing grants for household essentials such as washing machines, cookers and children’s beds and bedding to ensure they can keep their children healthy, safe and clean.
Check the criteria below for items we can and cannot fund before applying.
**Please note that due to increased volume of applications and limited funds available, we can now only offer one essential white good item per family** Who can apply? Applications must come from a professional supporting the family that is capable of assessing their needs. If the application is successful, the payment will be made to the organisation, who must administer and supervise the grant on our behalf.
For example, applications are welcomed from those working for:
- Hertfordshire County Council Social Services
- Children’s Centres
- Housing associations
- Charitable and voluntary groups e.g. debt advice agencies, family support etc
Please note cannot accept applications from individuals or families directly.
What do we fund? GUIDANCE NOTES - Click to read the guidance notes for an extensive list of items we can and cannot fund before applying.
Grants can be made for essential white goods, children’s beds, baby items and specialist medical equipment for children.
Whilst grants can be made up to £500, this fund is reserved for essentials and the panel may suggest alternative items to those requested, this is to ensure the longevity of the fund and enable us to continue supporting a high volume of families with vital items.
As a guide, our panel are unlikely to award more than the below (last updated August 2024):
- Furniture
- Children's single bed including mattress: £150
- Children's single bed frame only: £90
- Children's single mattress only: £90
- Bunk Bed including mattresses: £340
- Children's bedding: £30
- Please note we do not award double beds for children or award beds for parents/carers.
- White goods including installation
- Electric Cooker with install: £365
- Fridge Freezer (combined): £280
- Washing machine with install: £300
- Fridge or Freezer (separate): £205
- Gas Cooker: Due to our commitment to environmental change, please contact us before making an application for a gas cooker.
- Other white goods are not deemed essential and unlikely to be funded. Please call before applying for another item.
- Baby items
- Pushchair £95
- Double pushchair £165
- Cot/Crib including mattress: £150
How to make an application Use the link below to apply for a grant for the family you are supporting. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, and we try to respond with a decision within a month.
Please note, for security reasons we no longer accept paper applications.
Please ensure you have read the full guidance notes above before making an application. APPLY HERE
Support the Fund
The Hertfordshire Children’s Fund has built up a small endowment which allows us to make grants each year. However, it still relies heavily on donations from individuals, companies, and other supporters to meet the current demand for grants, which was around £134,000 in the last financial year. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in supporting the Fund by making a donation or fundraising on our behalf, we’d love to hear from you!