Community Benefit Funds for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
Community Benefit Funds are contributions made by developers to support the communities in which their projects are based. These funds help ensure that local people feel the positive impact of new developments, by providing grants to charities, community groups or projects that address local needs and priorities.
Community Benefit Funds can support anything from environmental improvements and community facilities to youth services, wellbeing initiatives and grassroots organisations.
The UK Government is currently reviewing the role of Community Benefit Funds and exploring whether they should become a mandatory part of planning requirements. This means it makes strong strategic sense for developers and planning teams to consider Community Benefit Funds as part of any future planning bids. Building a Community Benefit Fund into proposals not only strengthens applications but also demonstrates for the community your clear commitment to social value and responsible development.
About community foundations
HIWCF is part of the UK Community Foundations (UKCF) national network which supports 47 community foundations across the UK. Since its inception, community foundations have invested £2 billion pounds into local communities. UKCF and its members have long supported the development and management of Community Benefit Funds, working with developers, planners and local authorities to channel investment directly into the places that need it most.
As part of this network, HIWCF benefits from shared best practice, robust national standards, and decades of collective experience in managing funds on behalf of public, private and charitable partners.
How HIWCF can support developers
HIWCF can work closely with developers to build Community Benefit Funds into planning proposals from the very beginning. We can:
- Provide advice on shaping a Community Benefit Fund that aligns with local needs.
- Help produce the supporting narrative for planning bids.
- Offer clear evidence of how investment will be distributed and monitored.
- Deliver a cost-effective, independent and trusted mechanism for managing funds over the long term.
Our role gives developers confidence that their contributions will be handled transparently, governed robustly, and targeted where they can make the biggest difference.
Working with planning teams and local authorities
HIWCF also partners with local authorities and planning departments to ensure Community Benefit Funds are distributed fairly, efficiently and in line with local priorities.
Many Local Authorities already manage developer contributions such as Section 106 agreements (S106) and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which help mitigate the impact of development. Community Benefit Funds can complement these mechanisms by providing an additional, flexible and community-focused way to invest in local areas. HIWCF are a reputable and independent local partner for Local Authorities to turn to when they need to distribute Community Benefit Funds cost-effectively and robustly.
Our approach includes:
- Mapping local needs to identify where funding can have the greatest impact.
- Running transparent and accessible grant programmes.
- Managing due diligence, governance and reporting.
- Ensuring funds reach small grassroots projects as well as larger community organisations.
- Providing an impartial, trusted and cost-effective distribution model.
With more than 20 years of local grant making experience and detailed insight into Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s communities, HIWCF is uniquely placed to ensure that Community Benefit Funds deliver meaningful and accountable community impact.
Why work with HIWCF?
- Local expertise: we have in-depth knowledge of the needs and priorities of communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
- Robust governance: our grant processes meet the highest standards of accountability, due diligence and transparency.
- Neutral and trusted: as an independent grant maker, we offer an impartial way to distribute funds without political or commercial influence. We have no vested interest in the outcome of a grant programme – except to ensure it is managed well and meets the demonstrable needs of the community.
- Cost-effective: we ensure the maximum value of each fund reaches the community, while managing the whole grant making process end-to-end.
Get in touch
If you’re a developer, planner or local authority interested in exploring Community Benefit Funds, we’d be delighted to help.
Please contact our CEO, Jacqui Scott, to discuss how HIWCF can support your plans: ceo@hiwcf.com and sign up to our newsletter.