Bidwells Community Fund

The Bidwells Community Fund makes small grants (up to £500) to support small, local voluntary and community groups and organisations that are undertaking charitable work across the Eastern region.

The fund aims to help improve the quality of life for communities across the areas of Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

The Cambridgeshire Community Fund administers the Bidwells Community Fund, working closely with colleagues in the Community Foundation Network in the neighbouring counties.

Grants are given to those projects helping people that face disadvantage and to those that engage and support local people, and therefore build stronger, healthier, inclusive and sustainable communities. The fund focuses around five core themes…children; young people and families; adults facing a life crisis; the natural environment; community development and engagement, and health.

Applications from groups based in Cambridgeshire should be made through CCF.  Groups working in other areas should contact their local Community Foundation.

To view the latest Bidwells Community Fund Newsletter click here

The following are examples of projects that have beneifted from grants from a Bidwells Community Fund Grant.

Second Chance received a Bidwells Community Fund Grant to pay for weekly chair based exercise sessions for 6 months
Forward Gamlingay! received a Bidwells Community Fund Grant to run a sexual health project, a cooking project and a Tea Dance in the local residential home
The Mason Trust received a Bidwells Community Fund Grant to cover the  cost of transporting young people to the "Climate Run" in April 2011.
3rd Wisbech Guides received a Bidwells Community Fund Grant to replace key pieces of camping equipment.
Chelmsford Chess received a Bidwells Community Fund Grant for office equipment including a computer.
Musical Keys received a Bidwells Community Fund Grant for music sessions.
Milton Keynes Sands received a Bidwells Community Fund Grant as a contribution to the costs of running monthly support groups, the costs of memory boxes and the annual memorial service.