Essex Community Foundation General Grants

Applications are accepted year-round. Essex Community Foundation matches requests for charitable work in Essex, Southend and Thurrock to the funds it manages. It supports core costs, projects, training and limited capital items. Current guidance describes an average award of £5,000 to £7,000 and encourages applicants to request what they need; these figures are not minimum or maximum limits. Named funds with specific windows have their own rules. Voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations delivering charitable work in Essex, Southend or Thurrock. Registration as a charity is not essential. Applicants need at least three unrelated decision-makers, signed governing rules, a group bank account requiring two signatories or dual authorisation, an annual budget and safeguarding policies where relevant. For-profit or share-based organisations are excluded. If one individual holds significant control, contact the grants team about shared decision-making. Read the applicant guidance and eligibility checker, then use the online organisation application form linked from Apply for Support. Contact grants@essexcf.org.uk or 01245 355947 to discuss your request or an alternative application format. The team aims to decide general applications within two months, but timing varies by fund.