Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

The council's community grants scheme

The council has a limited amount of funds available to help organisations which provide a project or service that benefits residents and communities in the Vale. 

The council is keen to support projects which meet the priorities identified by the community and outlined in the Vale Community Strategy 2008 - 2016.

The following are examples of projects or services which may be considered for support:

• Community transport schemes
• Arts festivals
• Services to support disadvantaged children and adults
• Projects that encourage more people to exercise
• Services that help the elderly to avoid isolation
• The production of parish action plans
• Conservation schemes
• Equipment for sports clubs
• Refurbishments of village halls and other community buildings

Applications for funding are currently decided either by the council's Executive committee, one of the four area committees or a senior officer. The Executive considers applications for projects or services that will cover all parts of the Vale of White Horse District Council area. The area committees consider applications for projects or services which are focussed on a particular area of the Vale.  A senior officer will usually consider all applications which are for £500 or less and will consult the Chair of the Executive or area committee before making a decision.

In reaching a decision on whether or not to award a community grant, the council will need to be satisfied that an application meets the grant criteria and conditions, will provide real, long lasting, community benefit and that all other avenues of funding have been explored.

As the scheme is discretionary there is no guarantee that the council will award a grant to every organisation which meets the criteria.

Thinking of applying?

To find out which area committee will consider your application please see the map showing area committee boundaries - which can be downloaded from the right of the page. Please also refer to the area prospectus for your area to find out the priorities of your particular area committee - these can also be downloaded from the right of the page.

Before you make an application you should read the Council’s criteria for determining community grant applications which was designed to help organisations decide whether or not they are eligible to apply for Council funding for a project or service.

We would also encourage you to contact us if you are thinking of applying for a grant so we can offer you help and advice before you make your application. For advice please contact our Community Strategy Officer Lorna Edwards – see the contact details on the right.