Core funding

Funding for organisations that deliver vital community services, continue existing delivery.

We expect to be able to support around 55 organisations each year.

 

Photo by Crowsmill Craft Centre CIC

We understand that support with running costs is always needed. That's why, for the next five years, we'll continue to provide core cost grants to groups that offer essential services to local residents, especially supporting those most vulnerable - improving wider community wellbeing. This funding is aimed at helping groups who urgently need financial support to continue existing delivery.

This funding is only for not-for-profit organisations within the Severn Trent catchment region. If you’re unsure whether your organisation is within our region, you can check our map or your postcode.

Eligible charities and organisations can apply to be considered for a restricted core funding grant of between £5,000 - £20,000 for 1 year. We expect to be able to support around 55 organisations each year through two funding windows; May and November. Each window will be open for 1 month.

To give you an idea of the types of organisations we’ve supported so far, take a look at our annual reviews and awardee map. The types of organisations we’re able to support will likely be emergency relief services (e.g. foodbanks), health and medical support, housing and homelessness support, support for vulnerable populations and organisations that give employment and income assistance.

What are core costs?

Core costs are essential costs your organisation has to keep running. This might include management and administration, general office costs (rent and utilities), accountancy and audit, fundraising, communications and governance/compliance costs. You can apply to us to cover any of these costs.

Our core costs grants are awarded as restricted funding. They must be used to cover your organisation’s essential running expenses which you detail in your application.

What we can’t fund:

Check your organisation is eligible and fits our aims

Does your organisation run a vital service for the local community, especially supporting those most vulnerable?

Do you have a real and measurable impact on improving wider community wellbeing in our region?

Are you finding it hard to maintain your organisation's current activities and need urgent financial help to cover your running costs?

You can apply for a core funding grant if your organisation:

*If your organisation is faith based, you are eligible to apply as long as the request is for community work e.g. food banks or warm hubs. We cannot fund the practice of religion, or any activities that actively promote religion or particular belief systems. 

**We only consider funding as restricted when it has been awarded by a donor or funder for a specific purpose. If your organisation has a designated fund, for the purposes of this application, this should be included in your unrestricted balance.

To ensure you’re eligible we will also check that your organisation is not to the detriment of Severn Trent or its interests.

Existing applicants of Severn Trent Community Fund

If you are in your current grant period for new project funding, you can also apply for core funding support!

If you are in your current grant period for core funding, we’re sorry you cannot apply again while the grant period is still active. Due to the volume of applications we receive, it is unlikely we will be able to support organisations twice with core funding. 

 

 Provide at application stage Provide at grant offer stage

Legal Structure

A legal structure that is appropriate to the size and nature of the organisation, set out in a constitution or memorandum/articles of association that clearly outlines the aims and rules governing the organisation.

This should include not for profit status, application of income and a dissolution clause/asset lock.

 Yes --

Accounts and Financial Management

Full accounting records which are appropriate to the size and nature of your organisation:

  • Organisation with income less than £25k — a basic document highlighting income and expenditure and any balance sheet items.
  • Organisation with income over £25k but less than £1m — accounts that have been reviewed by an appropriately qualified person (this is not deemed an audit).

We will need to see the financial records from the last 3 years (2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25). We understand 2024/25 may not have been audited and finalised so a draft copy is acceptable. Key information to include in the draft is income, expenditure and account balance at year end.

 Yes --

Bank Statement

A recent bank statement (dated within the last three months) to confirm where the grant if awarded will be paid. The name on the bank statement must be your organisation’s legal name and match the name on your application.

The statement must include your bank’s logo, the address where the statement is sent to and the account details must be clearly visible. Transaction listings and redacted statements are not acceptable.

 -- Yes

Bank Account Signatories

Bank Account with at least 2 signatories for joint authorisation (not related or living at the same address).

 -- Yes

Policies and Procedures

You will need to ensure you have policies and procedures in place relevant for your organisation.

If you are unsure,you can get help from your local infrastructure organisation or online sites such as the NSPCC.

 Yes - Confirmation only If requested

Insurance

Organisations must ensure that appropriate insurance certification and licences are in place.

For example, public liability, professional indemnity (where appropriate) and employer’s liability. 

 Yes - Confirmation only If requested

Once you have checked your organisation and request is eligible, and read all our guidance, you are ready to get started.

These are the steps you’ll need to follow when accessing our Core Funding portal for the first time:

Each year we’ll have two funding windows; May and November. Each window will be open for 1 month.

We can only accept one application for core funding from your organisation each year, so please think carefully which round is right for you.

 

Applications open

Applications close (at 23:59)

We'll let you know the outcome

Thursday 1 May 2025

Sunday 1 June 2025

July 2025

Saturday 1 November 2025

Sunday 30 November 2025

January 2026

Once you have submitted your application, your application will be assessed and prioritised by taking the following points into consideration:

Based on previous application values, we expect to be able to support around 55 organisations with core funding in 2025. And as a regional funder, we aim to spread our funding fairly across our catchment area depending on customer population. 

If your application is ineligible or is not a strong fit for our criteria, we will let you know that your application has unfortunately not been successful.

Unfortunately, due to the high levels of applications we’re anticipating, if your application is not successful, the decision cannot be appealed and you won’t be able to apply to be considered for core funding support again this year.

Apply for funding

If your organisation is eligible, you can apply for core funding from Severn Trent Community Fund.

Each year we’ll have two funding windows; May and November. Each window will be open for 1 month. We can only accept one application for core funding from your organisation each year, so please think carefully which round is right for you.

If you would like a notification reminder for a particular round, please email communityfund@severntrent.co.uk

Apply for funding

Contact us

Our dedicated Fund Officers are here if you would like to discuss your funding request, chat through the application process and answer any questions you have.

We know how much work goes into applications and we want this to be worthwhile for you.

Core funding queries