Apply Now: Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 28-Oct-26

The Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund is inviting applications from local organisations seeking single-year or multi-year grants to address financial insecurity, mental health, and digital inclusion among disadvantaged residents of Merton and Wandsworth. Since its launch in 2014, the fund has awarded more than £2.6 million through 359 grants, benefiting over 50,000 local people across the two London boroughs. The fund is managed by The London Community Foundation and aims to strengthen local communities by addressing social disadvantage.

About the Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund

The Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund supports organisations working to improve the lives of disadvantaged residents in Merton and Wandsworth. The current funding round offers both single-year and multi-year grants. The multi-year option was introduced in response to research highlighting local needs and the financial pressures affecting the voluntary sector. Funding is intended to support organisations addressing key challenges affecting local communities, particularly financial insecurity, mental health and wellbeing, and digital exclusion. How Much Funding Is Available? Organisations can apply for up to £10,000 per year.

The maximum funding available is:

- Single-year grants: Up to £10,000.

- Three-year grants: Up to £30,000.

- Annual funding limit: Up to £10,000 per year.

Both single-year and multi-year funding are available, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements. What Does the Fund Support? Applicants must focus on at least one of the fund’s three priority themes: - Addressing financial insecurity and the cost of living. - Supporting mental health and wellbeing. - Promoting and supporting digital inclusion. Projects should demonstrate how they will benefit disadvantaged residents in Merton or Wandsworth. Examples of Supported Activities Projects can address a range of local needs within the fund’s priority themes.

Examples include:

- Employability support. - Food insecurity interventions. - Mental health and wellbeing services. - Activities addressing social isolation. - Digital literacy training. - Support that helps disadvantaged residents overcome financial insecurity. - Services that improve access to digital tools and opportunities. Supporting Disadvantaged Communities The fund welcomes applications from organisations supporting disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

This includes organisations working with:

- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. - Disabled people and disability groups. - LGBTQIA+ individuals. - Young people. - People not in education, employment or training. - Older people. - Other disadvantaged residents in Merton and Wandsworth. Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. Single-Year Grants Single-year grants are available to organisations delivering work that benefits residents of Merton or Wandsworth. Unlike the multi-year funding option, organisations do not necessarily need to be registered in either borough, provided they have a track record of delivering work that benefits residents of Merton or Wandsworth. Organisations can apply for up to £10,000 for a single-year grant. Multi-Year Grants Multi-year grants provide funding for up to three years, with a maximum of £10,000 per year and £30,000 in total. The multi-year option is available exclusively to organisations registered in Merton or Wandsworth. The introduction of multi-year funding reflects research into local needs and the economic pressures experienced by voluntary sector organisations. Core and Project Costs Both core costs and project costs are eligible for funding. This gives organisations flexibility to request support for costs associated with delivering their work, provided those costs fall within the fund’s eligibility requirements. Applicants should clearly explain how the requested funding will help deliver outcomes for disadvantaged residents. Matched Funding and Other Contributions The fund encourages applicants to include matched funding or contributions from other sources. While the programme welcomes applications that demonstrate additional financial support, applicants should clearly explain the wider funding available for their proposed work and how different contributions will support the project. What Costs Are Not Eligible? The fund does not support certain types of expenditure.

The following are not eligible:

- Capital costs. - One-off events. - Annual events. Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget focuses on eligible core or project costs rather than excluded expenditure. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organisations with appropriate legal structures, governance arrangements, and safeguarding policies. For multi-year funding, organisations must be registered in Merton or Wandsworth. For single-year grants, organisations can apply if they have a track record of delivering work that benefits residents of Merton or Wandsworth. Organisational Eligibility Requirements Applicants must have appropriate organisational arrangements in place.

Eligible organisations should:

- Operate on a not-for-profit basis. - Have an appropriate legal structure. - Maintain appropriate governance arrangements. - Have suitable safeguarding policies. - Demonstrate relevant experience delivering work in Merton or Wandsworth. - Meet the additional registration requirement for multi-year funding. Who Is Not Eligible? Certain organisations are excluded from the fund.

Ineligible applicants include:

- Companies limited by shares. - Statutory bodies. - NHS bodies. - Co-operatives. - Schools. Organisations should confirm that their legal and organisational structure meets the fund’s requirements before applying. Geographic Focus The Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund focuses on residents of two London boroughs: - Merton. - Wandsworth. Single-year funding is available to organisations deliveri