About the funder
Severn Trent Water’s Community Fund supports charities and community groups within its catchment area to sustain essential services. It allocates both new project funds and core cost grants to help vital groups stay operational.

Priority themes
Core funding is aimed at organisations that deliver “vital services” locally, especially those serving the most vulnerable. Grants support cost categories such as administration, rent & utilities, governance, audit, and communications, enabling delivery of existing programmes that link to wellbeing.

Exclusions 
Funding is restricted: core cost grants must be used for day‑to‑day running costs (not new capital projects). Organisations must be not-for-profit and within the Severn Trent region. While public documents focus on charities and groups, organisations registered with Companies House limited by guarantee are acceptable.

Grant levels 
Core cost grants range between £5,000 and £20,000 for one year. Two windows run annually (May and November), with each window open for about one month. In 2025, the May window opens 1 May and closes 1 June; the November window will run 1–30 November.

Application process
Applicants must submit a core funding application via Severn Trent’s portal. Organisations can only apply once per year. Applications are assessed by their independent Community Fund panel. You’ll need legal documents, financials, bank statements, and evidence of governance.

Tips to apply

• Engage early: chat with a Fund Officer to test fit

• Be precise about core cost needs and break them down

• Show how your service impacts vulnerable people

• Avoid applying for overlapping project and core funding in same period

https://www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/severn-trent-community-fund/core-funding/