Funding Friday
South West Water: Better Futures Fund
South West Water has introduce a new fund to support communities in its supply area.
You can apply for between £2,000 and £15,000 for projects that fit with one or more of the following:
- Nature and the environment – projects and organisations that directly impact and protect nature for the benefit of community health and wellbeing
- Education – providing new opportunities to help people of all ages grow and develop
- Community – groups that bring people together to create a sense of purpose within communities
- Vulnerability – organisations providing care and support to people who need extra help
The funding can be used for equipment, skills and training, salaries for work directly on the project, contractors and professional fees.
Applications can be made by schools, colleges, academies, registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, constituted groups or clubs, CICs and local community groups.
Application deadline: 30 September 2025
Better Futures Fund
UK government will be launching a new fund to support vulnerable children. The aim is to provide support to give children a better start in life, including in the home and school environment.
Funding will be available to help improve school attendance, behaviour and overall attendance as well as early support to tackle challenges such as mental health issues, drug use and offending.
The Better Futures Fund will have a budget of £500m over ten years and will work with partners in local government and the voluntary sector to provide holistic support to vulnerable children and families.
Largest fund of its kind to support vulnerable kids & families – GOV.UK
Devon County Council: Locality Budgets 2025/26
Devon County Council’s Locality Budgets 2025/26 will soon be opening for applications for funding to support projects that benefit local communities in Devon. Each County Councillor in Devon has a Locality Budget allocation of £8,000 that they can use in this financial year (until March 2026).
Devon County Council Members can use their Locality Budget to support good causes in the area that they represent such as projects to address loneliness, increase access to healthy activities, help people experiencing food poverty or enhance public spaces.
Applications are accepted from constituted and not-for-private-profit voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector groups and organisations, town and parish councils, charities or businesses (that have an eligible sponsor), or a combination of such groups working together. Refer to the website for more details about who can apply and exclusions.
All projects should include some other financial contribution(s) and/or local support.
If you are interested in applying for a contribution from the Locality Budgets please approach your County Councillor in the first instance. You can find contact details for your County Councillor here: Your Councillors – Democracy in Devon