The High Sheriff Awards programme is particularly keen to support projects which seek to bring communities together to tackle local issues improving trust and understanding and welcomes projects which offer a new or innovative approach. 

Applications are expected to focus on one or more of the following areas:

  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Crime in local neighbourhoods
  • Drug and alcohol related crime
  • Reducing re-offending
  • Violence against women and girls
  • Youth crime

Grants up to £3,000 for one year only

Which organisations are eligible for funding?

You can apply for a grant if you are a:

  • constituted voluntary or community organisation
  • registered charity
  • not-for-profit company including community interest companies where the majority of directors receive no payment from the company

The above organisations need to be a:

  • local or regional organisation, i.e only working in Wiltshire or Swindon or in the south/south west of England. Please note the majority of people benefiting from the grant must live in Wiltshire or Swindon
  • branch of a national organisations with a local management committee based in Wiltshire or Swindon, your own constitution, and a bank account you control

Your organisation must have:

  • an active voluntary management committee with at least three people who are not:
    • related to each other or in a long-term relationship
    • living at the same address

Your organisation needs the following financial arrangements and documents:

  • a bank account with two signatories that are not related to each other
  • less than 12 months running costs in unrestricted reserves. This means in your end of year financial accounts, Unrestricted reserves (not including Designated funds) must be less than your Expenditure
  • financial records or accounts
  • a recent bank statement
  • a constitution
  • a financial plan or budget showing this year's expected income, expenditure and reserves. If you do not have these we will discuss this with you when you apply.
  • a Safeguarding Policy and an Equal Opportunities Policy. Again, if you do not have these we will discuss this with you when you apply. Further guidance is available here.

New organisations who do not have the above in place may be able to apply under the umbrella of another charitable organisation.

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

You can apply for a grant for:

  • to continue the work your organisation already does
  • to pay for a new activity which can include:
    • core costs - these might include (but not only) salaries, training, equipment, insurance or premises
    • projects costs - these might include (but not only) salaries, training, equipment, insurance or premises
    • capital costs (buildings and equipment) - grants for capital costs are one-off only (i.e. not multi-year) and if the cost of the project is more than the grant, you must have already secured most of the rest you need when you apply to us.

You must plan to start spending the grant within six months of when it is awarded.

How much can I apply for?

You can apply for a grant of up to £3,000.

Who must benefit from the grant?

Most of the people who benefit from the grant must live in Swindon or Wiltshire. We also focus our grant giving on communities and people on low incomes. You might find our report on need in Wiltshire and Swindon helpful. You can access it here.

    What we do not fund:

    • money to individuals or families
    • activities which duplicate an existing service
    • one-off or sponsored events
    • the advancement of religion
    • medical research and equipment
    • animal welfare
    • party political activities

    Who we don't fund:

    • individuals
    • schools
    • statutory bodies such as city, county or parish councils or health institutions


    This programme is currently closed for applications.


    If you have any queries please contact us on 01380 738985 or email info@wiltshirecf.org.uk