Riverside Foundation

The Foundation funds a broad range of activities that help people thrive in their homes and communities. Under the main Community Fund, projects must align with one or more of three themes: Opportunity (employment, training, digital inclusion), Community (capacity building, community safety, environment, youth), and Support (fuel poverty, food poverty, crisis intervention, mental health). The Isle of Dogs Community Chest has its own local priorities, including connections with schools and adult learning, training and education opportunities, local enterprise and employment schemes, financial awareness, community sports, arts, social activities and events, environmental projects, and healthy living. Grant support can cover project delivery, equipment, capital works, training and events. This work takes place across Riverside neighbourhoods in England, Wales and Scotland, with a particular focus on areas such as Halton, Greater Manchester, East London and the Isle of Dogs.

Riverside Foundation welcomes applications from grassroots not-for-profit organisations with a local presence in Riverside neighbourhoods. Eligible groups include registered charities, CIOs, CICs, charitable companies, community groups and unincorporated associations. On the Isle of Dogs programme, applications are also accepted from faith groups and individuals. The Foundation prioritises projects where at least 50% of beneficiaries are Riverside customers. It also favours groups working directly in the communities where Riverside operates. If an applicant’s legal structure is not listed, the Foundation encourages them to get in touch with the Communities team to discuss their situation before applying.

The Foundation does not fund core costs or salaries. It also excludes activities that are solely faith-based under the main Community Fund. Grants cannot be used for individual sponsorship or for redistributing funds to other individuals or organisations. Applicants who have already received Foundation funding in the same financial year are not eligible, nor are those who have not provided agreed monitoring information following a previous grant.

The Foundation runs a rolling Community Fund alongside the dedicated Isle of Dogs Community Chest. It welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible groups. Match funding is strongly encouraged, particularly for larger grant applications. The Foundation favours projects that deliver sustainable outcomes and expects funded activities to make a lasting difference in the community. It supports project-based work, equipment, capital works, training and events, rather than ongoing core operational costs.