Community fund

We know that our work can sometimes cause disruption in the communities we are working and want to give our customers and local groups the opportunity to make a difference in the communities they live, by offering funding towards a community project of their choice. Community groups can apply for a grant up to £5,000 towards their project.

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 May 2024 - 30th June 2024
• 1st September 2024 - 31st October 2024
• 1st January 2025 - 28th February 2025

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.

Examples of projects that could receive funding include:

• Improvements to the environment or local community initiatives promoting health, wellbeing and environmental objectives.
• Activities undertaken by registered community groups - specifically with health, wellbeing, cost of living support and environmental objectives.
• Improving and supporting local education activity for example water efficiency, environmental, innovation benefits.

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

Examples of charities eligible to apply:

• Charitable Trusts – Registered Charity
• 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 funding – unless the funding is to train existing staff to improve the quality of what the group can achieve.
• Multiyear funding
• Unregistered charities
• Other funders or grant makers
• Shortfall funding
• Party political activities
• Specifically religious groups
• Events, conferences of sponsorship

NB – This is not an exhaustive list

How it works

• Interested parties will complete an online application form available on the Welsh Water website. A copy of the terms and conditions for this funding will be available on the website and applicants must read those before applying as the award of funding shall be governed by those terms and conditions.
• The community panel will consider the application and make a decision on whether the application is successful or not.
• If the application is successful, the project contact will be informed following the community panel meeting which will take place 3 times during the year.
• The successful applicant will need to complete and sign a letter of Agreement and be responsible for the project delivery.
• The successful applicant will be responsible for attaining all permissions and consents and be legally responsible for all risks associated with the project.
• Funding awards are subject to participation in Welsh Water publicity materials.

Please note: The decision to award funding is entirely up to the discretion of the community panel.

Welsh Water will not take any role in organising an event or manage any risks involved. Community groups will need to undertake their own assessment of risk in relation to any activity / event undertaken.

Once the allocated annual fund has been spent the fund will close until the following financial year.