— Note: Applications Now Closed —
Winter Support Fund – An online application process for local groups
Hammersmith & Fulham Council, in partnership with H&F Giving, have launched the Winter Support Fund small grants scheme, awarding grants to community organisations which support those most in need in the local community. This will be through direct support to residents facing crisis or poverty.
The £200,000 Winter Support Fund is being administered by H&F Giving on behalf of H&F Council.
We want to distribute £200,000 to local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to support households in Hammersmith & Fulham which otherwise might face crisis and to provide them with food, fuel and support for other essential living costs.
Types of support
The support can be delivered through vouchers or cash to households or making direct provision of food and goods.
Eligible spend includes:
Food
Support whether in kind or through vouchers or cash
Energy Costs
Help towards the costs of utilities e.g. energy, water, heating bills
Essential Living Costs
Help towards essentials such as warm clothing, blankets, period and hygiene products, the purchase of replacement and energy efficient equipment (fridges, freezers, ovens, slow cookers)
Help with bills including broadband or phone bills, transport costs and repairs
Advice Services
Provision of advice to residents, over and above existing services available
Other
Limited administrative costs, such as staff costs, communications materials, small IT changes.
Exclusions – The fund cannot be used for:
Mortgage payments
Furniture and household items for residents living in private rented furnished accommodation or furnished temporary accommodation, where this is the responsibility of the landlord
Personal debts – residents should be referred to the Council or to appropriate agencies for support
Parking fines, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) or congestion zone charges
Court expenses (legal proceedings) such as legal fees, court fees, fines, costs – unless related to an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)
The funding criteria
Priority groups
The Winter Support Fund is intended to cover a wide range of low-income households in need including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people. The following groups have been identified as a priority for this scheme:
- households with Disabled adults or children
- Disabled and long-term ill residents
- unpaid carers (adults or children)
- care experienced young people
- pensioners
- large families with children under 5 years old
- single parents
- single-person households without dependents
- individuals fleeing domestic violence or facing other community safety issues.
Support is not restricted only to households in receipt of benefits.
Timeline
All funds must be spent or committed before 31 March 2024. The activity funded and final monitoring report should be completed and submitted by 14 April 2024. If your activity is agreed to continue beyond April 2024, an additional report will need to be submitted shortly after completion of activities within a timeline agreed with H&F Giving.
Click here to view the monitoring report template as a guide – please note this may be subject to change and the final version will be provided to successful grant recipients in early 2024.
Applications now open until midnight Thursday 7 December 2023.
Note: The funding is provided by Department of Work & Pensions.
FAQs and Guidance
If you have any queries about your project’s eligibility, or for support in completing the form, please contact Sophie, Administrator, at sophie@hfgiving.org.uk or on 07881 103827.
Important Information – applying for funds and reporting back
We have £200,000 available for Winter Support Funding. Organisations with a track record of supporting residents in Hammersmith & Fulham who are facing poverty are invited to apply for up to £20,000. We also welcome applications for smaller values. Funding requests must not duplicate provision currently funded by any other LBHF council grants.
We encourage applications in partnership with another organisation which delivers in Hammersmith and Fulham. The organisation making this application will be the lead group and will be accountable for the grant. We also encourage applications from organisations who have not previously received funding from the council.
