RWE Renewables Kiln Pit Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund (UK)

Deadline: 28-Sep-26

The RWE Renewables Kiln Pit Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants of £1,000 to £15,000 to voluntary and community organisations delivering projects that benefit residents of Shotley Low Quarter parish in Northumberland. The fund supports charitable, community, environmental, capital, and revenue projects that strengthen local facilities, activities, and community life. The fund is managed by Community Foundation North East and supports a wide range of initiatives, including equipment purchases, community activities, environmental projects, building improvements, youth activities, and start-up or expansion costs for eligible social enterprises.

About the Kiln Pit Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The fund was established by RWE Renewables to contribute to the development and wellbeing of the parish of Shotley Low Quarter in Northumberland. It provides financial assistance to voluntary and community-led projects that demonstrate a clear local benefit and charitable purpose.

The fund can support both:

- Capital projects, such as equipment, resources, building repairs, refurbishment, and capital developments. - Revenue projects, such as trips, entrance fees, sessional workers, activities, and other project-related costs. - Community and environmental initiatives that improve local facilities or community life. - New and developing organisations, where the proposed activity has a clear community benefit. Funding Amount Applicants can request grants between £1,000 and £15,000. The amount available to individual applicants depends on the fund’s annual allocation and the strength of the proposed project.

Funding may be considered for:

- Community equipment and resources - Capital developments - Repairs and refurbishment of community buildings - Trips and entrance fees - Sessional worker costs - Out-of-school activities - Community events and activities - Environmental projects - Start-up costs for new community groups - Specific projects or activities - General running costs in appropriate circumstances - Expansion or development of eligible social enterprises Who Is Eligible? The fund primarily supports voluntary and community organisations based in or serving the parish of Shotley Low Quarter in Northumberland.

Eligible applicants should demonstrate:

- A clear community benefit - Charitable aims - A project that benefits the local community - A genuine need for financial support - Appropriate plans for delivering the proposed activity The fund may also consider applications from Community Interest Companies (CICs) and other social enterprises where they have a strong business plan. CICs and social enterprises may be considered for: - Start-up support - Expansion or development - Specific community-focused projects However, general running costs for CICs and other social enterprises are not normally supported. What Can the Grant Support? The Kiln Pit Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund offers flexibility across a range of community and charitable activities. Capital and Equipment

Funding may support:

- Purchase of equipment - Community resources - Capital developments - Repairs to community facilities - Refurbishment of community buildings - Other capital improvements that provide a lasting local benefit Applicants requesting capital funding are encouraged to provide three quotes for proposed purchases or works. If three quotes cannot reasonably be obtained, applicants should discuss the situation with the fund before applying. Community Activities

The fund may support:

- Community activities - Trips and entrance fees - Out-of-school activities - Local events - Sessional workers - Activities delivered by voluntary groups Projects should demonstrate how the activity will benefit residents of Shotley Low Quarter. Environmental Projects Environmental initiatives can also be considered where they provide a clear community benefit. Examples may include projects that improve local environmental assets, community spaces, or resources. Organisational Development

The fund can consider:

- Start-up costs for new community groups - Specific project costs - Capital equipment - Expansion of eligible social enterprises - Certain general running costs Applicants should clearly explain why the requested funding is necessary and how it will contribute to community benefit. Funding Priorities The fund is particularly relevant to projects that: - Strengthen local community life - Improve community facilities - Increase participation in community activities - Support voluntary organisations - Provide opportunities for children and young people - Improve local environmental resources - Develop community infrastructure - Create lasting benefits for residents - Support new or developing community initiatives The strongest applications should clearly connect the proposed expenditure with a measurable benefit to the Shotley Low Quarter community. How Applications Are Assessed Applications are reviewed by an advisory panel. The assessment focuses on whether proposals demonstrate: - Clear community benefit - Charitable aims - A defined need for funding - A realistic and appropriate use of grant funding - Strong plans for delivering the proposed activity Applicants should explain what they want to achieve, who will benefit, how the funding will be spent, and what difference the project will make locally. How to Apply Applicants should prepare their proposal with sufficient information for the advisory panel to understand the need, benefits, and costs of the project.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm that your organisation and proposed project serve the eligible community in Shotley Low Quarter, Northumberland.

Step 2: Define the Project

Clearly describe:

- What you want to do - Why the project is needed - Who will benefit - Where the activity will take place - How the project will improve community life

Step 3: Prepare a Budget

Provide a realistic breakdown of the funding required.