What We Fund

We encourage a diverse range of applicants and we are keen to be involved in projects, both large and small, that are imaginative and to which we can make a significant contribution.

However, like many grant-giving Trusts, income from our investments has fallen, leaving less money for the Summerfield to distribute. As a consequence, during 2023 we will have a particular focus to our grant giving (see below) and will be making a smaller number of grants.  We anticipate that most of our grants will be under £10,000, with only one or two larger grants.

See our funding criteria below, or view our Grants Paid pages for more information on current and past projects we have funded.

Geographical Area
Charities and organisations applying to the Trust must be based in the six district councils of Gloucestershire (i.e. Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Cotswolds or Forest of Dean); or they must be engaged in a project that is of specific benefit to residents within the county.
 
If you are applying from a charity based outside Gloucestershire, we will want to see evidence of strong engagement with people and organisations in the county.

Focus for our grant giving:
Applications are considered in the following categories;
  • The arts, museums and the built heritage 
  • Environmental Sustainability;
  • Community work;
  • Education, sport and recreation;
  • Vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors of society.

Buildings Projects
We are currently unlikely to support applications for routine repairs or for new capital projects unless there is a very strong argument that the project needs to happen at the moment.
 
If you still want to apply for funds for a new building, or to make alterations to an existing building, please demonstrate how your project will improve environmental performance, or how you plan to integrate environment features into any new build. Your application would need to give a full explanation of what measures you have considered on: Sustainability; building design and management; and ease of use. 

In addition it is essential that you explain the ownership of the building and the nature of the agreement between the owner and the charity/organisation raising funds for the improvements.

Environmental Impact
We believe we all have a responsibility to protect the environment for the future generations, and this includes the projects and communities we support.  Through our grant programme we want to inspire community groups to make their own contribution to reduce their environmental impact, especially in reducing carbon emissions, the main driver of climate change. We would like you to consider in your application what steps you have taken to consider your environmental impact. This could include reducing waste, saving energy, reducing the impact of events , or thinking differently about travel. We realise that for some projects this is harder than others, but we would like you to demonstrate that you have considered your environmental impact. 

Applicants are also asked to show they have considered:
  • Planning for long term self-sufficiency;
  • The potential to work in partnership* with other statutory and non-statutory funders;
  • Their active involvement with the people who will benefit;
  • The outcomes of the project or service.
* Where charities can enter into collaborative arrangements/partnerships to work together, particularly when seeking funds for capital expenditure, we would suggest advice is taken on the potential to benefit from VAT relief on transactions between the collaborators.

Organisations we will fund:
  • Registered charities.
  • Charitable Incorporated Organisations.
  • Community Groups, Not-for-profit limited companies and Voluntary Groups:
    Applications will only be accepted supported by a letter of endorsement from a registered charity.
  • Community Interest Companies: Applications must include a letter of endorsement from a registered charity, and a copy of audited accounts including a breakdown of salary costs.

Donations are NOT given to:​
  • Medical research;
  • Private education;
  • Animal welfare appeals;
  • Fund trips abroad;
  • Projects that have already taken place.
  • Individuals: applications from individuals are not accepted.
  • Repeat grants: charities which have been in receipt of a grant should not re-apply for at least two years, unless they have specifically been asked to do so.
 
A note on staff costs
Your application may include staff costs where they are required to deliver your project, but applicants will need to demonstrate how staff and core costs will be maintained beyond the grant funding.
Map of the geographical area we fund, including local authority boundaries:
Summerfield Trust geographical area of funding in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire county map (Click image to enlarge)

Apply for a Grant

If your organisation has a project that meets our funding criteria, you can submit a grant application online.

Need more information?

View our Grants Paid pages for a history of donations made and projects we have supported.
If you still need further clarification before proceeding with an application, please get in touch with us by telephone or email, using the 'Contact Us' link below.

Useful Links

A list of organisations working locally and nationally who may be able to offer funding or advice.

The Gloucestershire Gateway Trust supports community groups and charities in the GL10 postcode.  To see if you could apply, visit their website.

Contact us:

See our Contact Us page for contact details, or complete our online contact form.