Stevenage Community Trust

The Trust funds a broad range of charitable purposes including poverty relief, education and training, health advancement, disability support, housing, arts, culture, heritage, sport, environment and recreation. Supported activities range from life-changing equipment for disabled children and emergency financial aid to community clubs, mental and physical well-being initiatives, and social inclusion projects. Grants are directed to organisations and individuals solely within Stevenage and its surrounding villages, such as Aston, Knebworth, Walkern and others in the defined area, ensuring every grant has a direct local effect.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, schools, sports clubs, academic institutions, and individuals or families living in Stevenage or the specified surrounding villages. Priority beneficiaries are children and young people, elderly individuals, those with disabilities, ethnic minorities, families in crisis and grassroots groups. The Trust particularly welcomes smaller organisations with limited reserves and requires rigorous safeguarding checks. Applications are accepted from both organisations and individuals, with a strict geographic focus.

The Trust avoids large-scale or multi-year funding commitments. It does not typically support organisations with substantial financial reserves and will only consider repeat grants in exceptional circumstances. Funding is not available for purposes outside its defined charitable scope or outside the geographic area of Stevenage and its designated villages.

The Trust provides small, targeted grants, typically as one-off awards, preferring immediate, tangible impact over long-term commitments. It welcomes unsolicited applications and makes decisions through local trustees, maintaining a responsive, community-rooted approach. Funding is drawn entirely from donations, memberships and fundraising, without reliance on government support.