Community fund

We’re committed to giving back, by supporting local charities and groups who work hard to make a positive impact where they live.

We’re offering funding of up to £5,000 for activities or projects that benefit the community. Whether it’s improving shared spaces, supporting local initiatives, or creating something new, we want to help bring your ideas to life.

Examples of projects that could receive funding include:

• Health and Wellbeing – Projects that support the health and wellbeing of people in the community
• Cost of Living - Projects that help people take steps to manage or avoid debt and build their financial capability. This can include activities that raises awareness and take up of utility affordability support such as the Welsh Water schemes
• Environmental – Improvements / creation of local green spaces or environmental initiatives
• Water safety or efficiency - Educational programmes that raise awareness around water efficiency, sustainability, or innovation.

Priority will be given to those projects where Welsh Water are, or have been, working.

We are keen to support as many groups and organisations as possible where even a small donation can make a significant difference.

Examples of registered groups eligible to apply:

• Charitable Trusts – Registered Charities
• Housing associations, sporting clubs, co-operatives
• Friendly Societies – working men’s clubs, benevolent societies Unincorporated Association – Self – help groups, small organisations Excepted Charities – Boy Scouts/ Girl Guides/ Beavers/ Brownies Voluntary Sector service providers – Volunteer Centres
• Schools

NB – This is not an exhaustive list

What we can’t fund:

• Staff / instructor funding – unless the funding is to train existing staff to improve the quality of what the group can achieve.
• Ongoing costs (bills or utilities)
• Multiyear funding
• Other funders or grant makers
• Shortfall funding – to cover gaps in existing project budgets - for example, when a group is seeking additional money to complete a project that already has partial funding.
• Party political activities
• Specifically religious activities
• Events, conferences of sponsorship

NB – This is not an exhaustive list

You also cannot apply if you have received any other funding from us within the last 12 months.

How it works

• Complete the online application form available on the Welsh Water website. Please read the terms and conditions before applying, as funding shall be governed by those terms and conditions.
• The community panel will meet to decide on successful projects within 2 weeks after the closing date and applicants will be informed of the outcome by the end of the month once all the relevant documentation is received and in order.
• The successful applicant will need to complete and sign a letter of Agreement and be responsible for the project delivery.
• For all grant sizes, you must start your project within six months of the award date and have 24 months to complete the project.
• PR & Stories

Once the annual fund is fully allocated, applications will close until the next financial year.

Sharing your story

If your application is successful, you will be required to share updates, including photos and a short summary of your project. This helps us showcase the impact of the fund across our social media and public platforms.

How to apply?

Please see panel dates below, when to submit your application and when we’ll let you know the outcome of your application.

• 1st January 2026 - 28th February 2026
• 1st May 2026 - 30th June 20256
• 1st September 2026 - 31st October 2026

*Top tip* Be specific

When completing your application, clearly outline how the funding will be used. Include detailed costs for any materials, equipment, or services needed to support your project.

Groups the community fund has supported