The Community Chest is now in its 21st year of giving a helping hand to local people in supporting and strengthening their community, by encouraging charities and community interest companies to apply for a grant to go towards improving their local area.
We believe in working together to improve both the facilities and the lives of residents in our communities. We seek to promote, encourage and support community involvement by offering funds to local voluntary groups with clearly identified needs.
What is the Community Chest?
The Community Chest in 2022 includes an annual pool of funds totalling £50,000 pledged by Hall and Woodhouse.
The Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest is also fortunate to receive invaluable support, advice and local knowledge from the Dorset & Sussex Community Foundations.
Applications are welcome from any voluntary or community organisation that is based, or works in, our trading area across the south of England, from Devon to Kent and north to Bristol, Swindon, Bracknell and London.
Grants or funds raised could be used to support the following:
Please note: Applications will not be considered from national organisations or those that are profit making or political.
The 2022 application process is now open and will close on the 1st July.
The 2022 application form can be downloaded here:
2022 Community Chest Application Form
The form must be completed electronically and emailed to:
Groups can apply for grants or fundraising support ranging from £300 and £3,000 to help achieve their aims. These grants or fundraising commitments could be used towards things such as equipment and furniture, training, transport, professional assistance, specific project resources or operational costs that will help your cause.
Top Tips for a Community Chest Application:
Each judge has their own criteria, but organisations should ask themselves the following questions:
Need
Is there a real need for this project?
Does your project or organisation really improve the lives of local residents or is it nice to have?
Own Efforts
What efforts have you made to help your own organisation?
How much money have you raised for your project or organisation?
Difference
How much more money is needed to make the project a reality?
Will a contribution of up to £3,000 enable the project to happen?
Applications for a Community Chest grant are reviewed by a panel of experienced judges.
Applications will be screened in July and August to identify potential recipients who might benefit from their applications being fast-tracked, in order that they receive funds in September 2022 to accommodate any crucial needs.
For the majority of applications the judges will agree a long list of the most suitable applications during the autumn. From this list the judges will debate which applications would benefit from a visit from one of the judges to aid their decision making and which applications can be judged on the basis of the merits of the written application only. Judges’ visits can be expected to take place in October.
The 2022 application process has been adapted to operate in 2 stages, to allow the consideration of organisations who may have a particularly urgent need for funding.
The majority of grant applications will be considered by the judging panel in the autumn, with funding to be issued at an awards evening in January 2023.
However applications will be screened in July and August to identify potential recipients who might benefit from their applications being fast-tracked, in order that they receive funds in September 2022 to accommodate any crucial needs.