Introduction — What Is the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation?
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) is an independent UK grant-making charity focused on supporting grassroots organisations across Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight. It connects local philanthropy with lasting community impact by offering targeted funding to charities and community groups addressing poverty, inequality, and social disadvantage.
Registered as a charity (Charity No. 1100417), HIWCF has become a key philanthropic institution in the region and is part of the UK Community Foundations network — a group of local community foundations across the UK that guide strategic giving and community support.
History and Background
Founding and Growth
Established in 2002 and registered as a charity in 2003, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation was created to respond to growing local challenges such as poverty, social isolation, and inequality. It serves a population of around two million people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and neighbouring urban centres.
Over the past two decades, HIWCF has:
- Built a substantial endowment fund (around £15 million) to provide a permanent and sustainable funding source for local causes.
- Awarded millions in grant funding through partnerships with local philanthropists, trusts, businesses, and statutory funders.
- Responded to emerging social issues, like the rising cost of living, mental health needs, and community resilience.
Mission and Purpose
Vision and Objectives
HIWCF’s core mission is to enable positive social change by empowering communities, tackling inequality, and supporting organisations that deliver vital services where they’re needed most.
The Foundation’s charitable purpose includes:
- Relieving hardship and disadvantage in local communities.
- Supporting projects that promote health, wellbeing, employment, skills, and community cohesion.
- Building long-term community wealth through endowment and strategic philanthropy.
HIWCF also works with donors to create bespoke funds, legacy gifts, and community-driven initiatives that reflect local needs.
Governance and Structure
Legal Status and Oversight
HIWCF is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for strategic oversight and ensuring the charity meets its objectives and legal obligations. The trustees bring experience from the corporate and charitable sectors and ensure high standards of governance and public benefit.
The Foundation operates as a charitable company limited by guarantee, meaning trustees are legally responsible for ensuring it is run properly and in compliance with charity law.
Network and Partnerships
HIWCF is a member of the UK Community Foundations network, a national body representing community foundations that provide local grant-making and philanthropic services across the UK.
Funding and Grants
Grant Making Approach
The Foundation allocates funding through an annual calendar of grant programmes, each designed to support local organisations tackling disadvantage. These grants focus on smaller charities and community groups, and typical awards range from approximately £1,000 to £5,000 per project, with some programmes offering up to £10,000.
Grants are open to a variety of nonprofit entities, including:
- Registered charities
- Community interest companies (CICs)
- Constituted community groups
- Companies limited by guarantee
Themed Grants and Application Support
HIWCF runs themed funds throughout the year, ensuring there are regular opportunities for groups to apply. The Foundation also provides application guidance, webinars, and support through its Grants Team to help applicants prepare successful submissions.
Endowment and Donor Funds
A major part of the Foundation’s work involves building endowment funds with donors — ensuring a sustainable source of grant funding for the long term. By holding permanent funds, HIWCF can offer consistent support even when economic conditions change.
Major Programs and Initiatives
HIWCF’s funding model is responsive to local needs. Some of the key facility areas include:
- The Including Communities Fund — offers competitive grants to organisations tackling poverty and inequality.
- Get Active, Get Involved Fund — supports community sport and physical activity projects across the region.
- Collaborative funding partnerships — e.g., match-funded schemes to support care leavers in partnership with Sovereign Network Group and other donors.
These programmes aim to address issues such as health, wellbeing, employment, skills development, social isolation, and community cohesion.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
HIWCF tracks and reports on its local impact:
- In 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded more than £1.1 million via 257 grants to community groups.
- Over years of operation, it has granted support to thousands of organisations, addressing diverse needs from youth services to mental health support.
- Funding helps grassroots work such as exercise programmes for heart health, youth mentoring, debt support, and social inclusion activities.
- The high demand for funding highlights widespread community need — one round of the Including Communities Fund was 88 % oversubscribed.
Why the Foundation Matters
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation plays a vital role in strengthening local civil society by:
- Targeting funding where it matters most — to organisations closest to the people in need.
- Supporting groups that often struggle to access mainstream funding.
- Building an endowment to sustain long-term community support.
Through professional grant making, donor services, and strategic partnerships, HIWCF helps communities flourish and respond to evolving local challenges.
Conclusion
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) exemplifies the power of community-focused philanthropy. By connecting generous donors with local charities and community groups, it tackles some of the most pressing issues in the region — from poverty and inequality to health, wellbeing, and community cohesion. With structured grant programmes, sustainable endowment building, and dedicated support services, HIWCF continues to make a meaningful impact across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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