Plymouth VCSE (POP+)

POP+ funds initiatives tackling social exclusion, disadvantage, wellbeing, community resilience, social justice, and environmental improvements. Priorities include minoritised communities, young people, health challenges, and those furthest from power. Key programmes include a micro-grant for unexpected costs like equipment or training, and collaborative projects such as community kitchens, mental health support, refugee aid, or climate arts. The funder also offers peer networking, mentoring, capacity building, seed funding, and systems-change work. All funding is restricted to Plymouth-based activities.

Eligible applicants are Plymouth-based community groups and social enterprises, with a focus on micro and volunteer-led organisations. POP+ prioritises groups serving deprived and excluded communities, including minoritised ethnic groups, young people, and those facing health challenges. There are no religious restrictions. Organisations must be based in the City of Plymouth.

POP+ does not fund organisations outside Plymouth. The funder avoids competitive processes and heavy reporting, instead favouring trusting, relational approaches. Specific exclusions are not detailed beyond geographic restrictions and the rejection of mainstream philanthropic models.

POP+ provides unrestricted project funding focused on equity and rapid local impact. Funding is delivered via lotteries and participatory panels, with a micro-grant programme and collaborative project grants. The funder welcomes unsolicited applications and champions relational, low-barrier funding, rejecting competitive processes and heavy reporting in favour of trusting community knowledge and shared decision-making.