Understanding our impact

Philanthropists and companies work with HIWCF through one-off funding programmes and endowment donations to enable community groups to continue helping people facing challenging and complex lives.

We are proud to make charitable grants that support small, grassroots and community support services across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. 

Small charities have the advantage of being embedded within their communities; they understand the complexities of the issues their clients may be facing, and are able to pivot to meet demands as they emerge. 

All our funding is made under one of six ‘Impact Themes’

We aim to avoid creating an onerous level of reporting on small community groups, which is why we have developed six ‘Impact Themes’, under which all our funding is made. Everything we fund is aimed at supporting people facing Poverty & Inequality and it is known as the golden thread running through all our grant making.

Around our impact model is a carefully structured “scaffold” which maps all of our impact categories against the sustainable development goals (SDG), the index of multiple deprivation (IMD) and the Thriving Places Index (TPI).

However, we don’t expect our funded groups to articulate how their work maps against those national and international measures. Instead, to keep within a simplified framework, we ask them to select at least one of our six impact goals when they apply for funding.  

Poverty & Inequality

The golden thread that runs through everything we do.
HIWCF funds work that is important to local communities and targeted to the areas of greatest need. Projects funded under this theme aim to directly alleviate poverty and inequality.

Employability & Skills

Funding work that champions employability and helps people develop the skills to succeed. Projects funded under this theme focus on creating paid work for people from disadvantaged communities, often using innovative interventions.

Health & Wellbeing

We know that many people face physical or mental health issues that can act as a barrier to their full participation in their local community.
We fund work that addresses this because of the ongoing benefits of improvements in mental and physical wellbeing for individuals, households and whole communities.

Flourishing Communities

Projects funded under this theme aim to involve and connect people to local services and activities, strengthening their communities and helping them to flourish. Funded organisations target the delivery of their vital services and support to those who need it most.

The Environment

Funding environmental initiatives that are good for individuals and their wider communities, and good for the environment.

Crime & Safety

Funding community based interventions that reduce crime or support individuals and communities that are affected by crime.

Download our 2023 Annual Review

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