The Severn Trent Community Fund – New Project Funding programme supports community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering new projects that improve wellbeing across the Severn Trent region.

Priority themes focus on three key areas: People, Place and Environment. Projects may include improving mental or physical wellbeing, skills development, greener and safer community spaces, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, water conservation, food growing, community cohesion and local resilience. The fund is especially interested in projects that demonstrate benefits across more than one of these themes. Both revenue and capital costs can be supported. Grants typically range from £2,000 to £50,000, with some sources referencing larger awards in specific circumstances.

Eligible organisations include charities, constituted community groups, CICs with an asset lock or charitable dissolution clause, parish councils, schools and other not-for-profit bodies. Projects must benefit communities within the Severn Trent catchment area.

Exclusions include projects outside the Severn Trent region, organisations without a governing document or bank account, and projects that cannot demonstrate clear community benefit. Commercial activity without wider social value is unlikely to be supported. Only one application per organisation is usually permitted each year, and Severn Trent generally expects to be the majority funder of the project. No longer accepting applications from Birmingham, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Solihull, Walsall or Worcestershire.

Deadlines vary depending on grant size. Current published deadlines for 2026 2 August for larger grants,

Applications are made through the Severn Trent online grants portal. Projects go through an eligibility and internal assessment stage before being reviewed by the independent customer panel. Severn Trent strongly encourages applicants to speak with a Fund Officer before applying to help strengthen proposals and avoid wasted effort.

Strong applications are likely to clearly evidence local need, community involvement and measurable outcomes. Projects that combine environmental benefits with wellbeing, skills or community engagement outcomes may score particularly well. It is also helpful to demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period and show how local people have shaped the project idea.