Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
Devon Community Foundation
Award
£5,000 – £30k
Deadline
No published deadline
Where
Not stated
Summary
Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Fund What is a Community Benefit Fund? Renewable energy and land or property development firms often make charitable investments in the communities where they work through Community Benefit Funds. In this case residents of North Devon were consulted for their vie
Full details
Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Fund What is a Community Benefit Fund? Renewable energy and land or property development firms often make charitable investments in the communities where they work through Community Benefit Funds. In this case residents of North Devon were consulted for their views on how the money from their local wind farm would be best spent in their area, and the Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Fund was established. The fund is managed by Devon Community Foundation, and funding decisions are recommended by a Community Panel made up of representatives of the 10 parishes covered by the fund. Grants available Small grants of up to £5,000 are available throughout the year. Large grants of between £5,000 and £30,000 are available on a quarterly basis. The next deadlines for applications to be considered at these quarterly panels are noon on: • 31st December 2025 • 29th April 2026 • 29th July 2026 • 21st October 2026 We have a separate form for organisations applying for funding for a capital project. A capital project is a long-term project to build, maintain or improve a capital asset such as a building. This could include replacing a roof, installing a heat pump, or creating a new play area. We have created this form to enable applicants to explain their capital projects in depth. You will need to download the form and send your completed application to us by email to grants@devoncf.com. We will continue to review this process so please get in touch with any feedback. Download the application form for a capital project. Grants of over £30,000 are available on occasion. Please email grants@devoncf.com if you would like to discuss such a project. Further information about the grants available, application process and timelines is available in the guidance notes below. 1:1 Surgeries We are offering 1:1 surgeries to any organisation wishing to discuss applying for a Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Fund small grant. Please email us with any questions or to book an appointment – grants@devoncf.com What areas are covered by the fund? Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Fund covers the 10 parishes of: • Bishops Nympton • East Anstey • East Worlington • Knowstone • Meshaw • Molland • Oakford • Rackenford & Creacombe • Rose Ash • West Anstey Applications from the three parishes closest to the Wind Farm (Knowstone, Rackenford & Creacombe and Rose Ash) will be prioritised in the assessment process if the fund becomes over-subscribed. What can be funded? Grants from this fund are available to community organisations who work within one or more of the funding themes below. • Increasing access to activities or services for the community. • Encouraging community owned energy projects • Encouraging skills and employment • Improving rural business opportunities and social enterprise • Offering sport and recreation • Providing, maintaining or improving community buildings • Providing community and public transport improvements • Improving health and wellbeing All projects that receive funding will support people in the community. Examples of projects that may be funded include: • Community transport schemes • Services that would otherwise not be able to continue in rural areas such as Post Offices, community shops, community hubs • Community projects such as memory cafes, lunch clubs, sports clubs, befriending schemes • Activities that develop life skills and experience such as cooking, money advice • Projects or events that bring people of all ages and ethnicities together Applications will be recommended for funding or rejection based on the following assessment criteria: • Fit with fund – whether they meet one or more of the funding themes listed above, and whether they are delivering in one or more of the 10 parishes. • Understanding communities – whether they understand and are well placed to meet needs in the local community. • Organisational capacity to deliver – whether they meet the organisational due diligence criteria; can evidence ability to budget and account for the grant; and are staffed (whether voluntary or paid) proportionately to safely and effectively deliver the proposed activities. • Value for money (large grants only) – what options have been considered to achieve the intended outcome; three quotes received for any contracted/building improvement work; proportion of funding secured or required from other sources; extent of reliance on the Batsworthy Fund. Community Benefit Fund Eligibility Checklist Complete these questions to check if you are eligible for this funding. We are...(Required)A registered charity/CIOA community interest companyA co-operative or community benefit societyAn unincorporated group or organisationA sports club or associationA school, parish council or other local public bodyA church or faith-based groupOther Our organisation is registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club or other non-profit structure (if annual income over £5,000)(Required) Yes No Our planned activity does not include worship or promote a particular religious belief(Required) Yes No Our planned activity falls outside of statutory provision(Required) Yes No Our planned activity will benefit the wider community(Required) Yes No Our organisation is working exclusively in Devon(Required) Yes No We have a constitution or other governing document that is signed and dated and specifies the roles and responsibilities of at least three management committee members.(Required) Yes No Our income for the last full financial year was under £5,000.(Required) Yes No Our organisation does not employ any paid members of staff(Required) Yes No Our planned activity is not part of our trading services for which there would normally be a charge(Required) Yes No There is a clear and relevant charitable purpose outlined in our governing document (note that as part of assessment we will consider completeness and relevance of asset locks)(Required) Yes No There is a clear and relevant charitable purpose or social mission outlined in our governing document(Required) Yes No We are a not-for-profit organisation that is Limited by Guarantee or otherwise cannot pay Directors dividends(Required) Yes No Our income was under £500,000 in the last full financial year(Required) Yes No Our governing document is publicly available or we can supply a copy(Required) Yes No Our organisation is registered in the fund area, or we have strong connections with local communities and can ringfence funding for work in the fund area(Required) Yes No We have trustees, directors or a management committee comprising at least three unrelated people (please note that as part of assessment we will consider undue influence of persons of significant control)(Required) Yes No We have a bank account held in the name of our organisation(Required) Yes No There are at least two people in our organisation with financial oversight and controls(Required) Yes No We can provide a copy of our safeguarding policy, or a reason why our organisation does not need one(Required) Yes No Our up-to-date annual accounts are publicly available or we can supply a copy (note these will be reviewed as part of the assessment, and how update they are will be taken into account)(Required) Yes No Our planned activity promotes a particular political belief.(Required) Yes No Sorry you are not eligible at this time Based on the answers you have provided, unfortunately you are not eligible for funding from us at this time. If your group is unincorporated you may be eligible to register your interest through a host organisation. If you would like to discuss this please get in touch via grants@devoncf.com. Sorry you are not eligible at this time Based on the answers you have provided, unfortunately you are not eligible for funding from us at this time. If you have any queries about the question