Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation
This form is for community organisations who wish to apply for funding.
HIWCF runs many grant programmes of all shapes and sizes. Please look on our website for details of grant programmes that are open, or soon to open. 

While the aims and themes of these grant programmes may differ, we do have a set of core criteria that you will need to meet before applying to us. 

We know that writing funding applications can be time consuming. Please answer the following questions before you apply to check if your community organisation and your project idea meet our core criteria. 

The questions are about the core things that we can and cannot fund. The form will alert you if:

- You need to contact us before applying
- Your organisation and/ or project idea do not meet our core criteria 

To stay in touch with HIWCF and find out about new grant programmes, please sign up to our email alerts and check our social media.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation

A constituted community organisation is a small group with an agreed constitution that sets out the rules about how the group runs
Before you apply, please contact us to discuss the type of community organisation you are and whether you are eligible to apply.
HIWCF cannot fund work that is a statutory responsibility. Before you apply, please speak to us to discuss if your proposal is eligible for funding; if not, your bid may be classed as ineligible and not fully assessed

We require ‘branches’ of regional or national organisations to have their own governing documents and bank accounts. Before you apply, please speak to us to discuss if your structure is eligible for funding; if not, your bid may be classed as ineligible and not fully assessed

We are a funder of grassroots community work and rarely fund organisations with an income over £1,000,000. Before you apply, please speak to us to discuss your income level; if not, your bid may be classed as ineligible and not fully assessed.

HIWCF considers it good practice to have three or more unrelated people governing the community organisations that we fund. If your organisation does not meet this core criteria your bid will be scored as ineligible

HIWCF considers it good practice for all organisations that it funds to have a written safeguarding policy. If your organisation does not meet this core criteria your bid will be scored as ineligible

HIWCF considers it good practice for all organisations that it funds to have good financial management and measures in place to prevent fraud. Please seek advice around these aspects and consider reapplying once these financial controls are in place

HIWCF considers it good practice for all organisations that it funds to value and act on equity, diversity and inclusion. Please seek advice around these aspects and consider reapplying once you have policies in place

HIWCF is a place-based funder – we only fund work that takes place within Hampshire (including Southampton and Portsmouth) and the Isle of Wight, and is for the benefit of people living in these communities. If your proposed project does not meet this core criteria your bid will be scored as ineligible

Use the explanation here for guidance
HIWCF is a charitable funder. If your proposed project does not meet this core criteria your bid will be scored as ineligible

HIWCF is not a funder of capital works, and rarely covers the purchase of vehicles, or major items of equipment. If this is part of your funding request and you have not received permission from HIWCF to include this aspect, your bid will be scored as ineligible
Your organisation may be eligible for funding from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation. Click below to see details of our available grants. 
Your answers have flagged that you may not fully meet our core criteria – please call HIWCF on 01962 798700 to discuss your eligibility
Please be aware: 
HIWCF is an independent funder – we do not fund work that supports a political cause/s, or seeks to recruit people into or promote a religion.

Contact Information