Community Foundation for Surrey

The Community Foundation for Surrey, established in 2005, is an independent grant-making charity inspired by the global community foundation movement, connecting local donors with effective charities and groups across Surrey to address challenges like poverty, mental health, disability, social isolation, education, youth services, family welfare, arts, culture, heritage, and the environment. Its mission is to catalyze lasting change for a stronger, fairer Surrey where no one is left behind, guided by core values of collaboration, impact, inclusion, and integrity. With deep local knowledge, a network of 85+ donor-advised and collective funds, and a track record of transparent, evidence-based philanthropy, it prioritizes frontline services, wellbeing projects, community facilities, capacity building, and crisis response—such as the Surrey Coronavirus Response Fund, Mental Health Scale Up, Heritage for All, and Strategic Transformation Programme—especially for older people, disabled individuals, those with mental health needs, and families in hardship.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and social enterprises of any size with no income restrictions, provided activities directly benefit Surrey residents and communities; geographic focus is strictly Surrey, with no base location requirement.

Grants typically range from £1,000 to £10,000 (smaller for crisis/individual hardship, higher for strategic projects), supporting project, core costs, capacity, emergency, and capital needs. Unsolicited applications start with an online Expression of Interest (EOI), progressing to full applications if shortlisted; some funds are rolling (decisions within three months), others in rounds (e.g., Main Grants Round 1 EOIs open 17 November 2025). It excludes individuals (except targeted hardship), statutory bodies, and private companies, standing out for its donor partnerships, proactive needs assessment, permanent endowment, and flexible, community-responsive funding aligned with local consultations.