Suffolk Community Foundation

The Central Fund supports a broad range of causes that address disadvantage and improve lives across Suffolk. This includes work in mental health, physical health, education, economic hardship, rural isolation, disability, and community resilience. Grants can be used for core costs, project delivery, and equipment. The Foundation also supports activities such as outreach, crisis prevention, advocacy, and volunteer programmes, aiming to promote wellbeing and equality. All funded work must benefit people in Suffolk, and the Foundation prioritises local groups that are based in or actively operating in the county.

Eligible groups include registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, social enterprises, unincorporated associations, community benefit societies, faith groups, and schools. Applicants must be constituted voluntary and community organisations based in or actively operating in Suffolk. The Foundation welcomes applications from small local groups as well as larger charities, provided they have strong governance and a clear local impact. Sole traders and commercial ventures are not eligible.

The Foundation does not fund animal welfare unless it also benefits people, or the promotion of religious causes. It also excludes personal or individual needs, with the exception of the Martineau Care Fund. Other exclusions include the direct replacement of statutory obligations, groups with significant unrestricted reserves, national charities without local benefits, retrospective grants, and fees for fundraisers or fundraising events. Capital works, research, feasibility studies, transport, and events are also not supported.

The Central Fund is open all year round, offering grants of up to a modest amount. The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible groups. It supports both core costs and project delivery, providing flexible funding to help organisations sustain their work. As a community foundation, it acts as a bridge between donors and local causes, and its funding style reflects a collaborative approach to strengthening communities across Suffolk.