Community Action Fund now open for applications from local groups and organisations

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is once again offering grants of up to £5,000 to local organisations and charities as a way of giving back to the community.

Every year the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Action Fund is delivered in partnership with Wiltshire Community Foundation and supports voluntary groups to deliver activities in line with priorities set out in PCC Philip Wilkinson’s #MakingWiltshireSafer Police and Crime Plan 2022-25.

This year, the application process itself has been redesigned to make grants even more accessible for smaller groups, as well as there being multiple opportunities to apply throughout the year. Funded by proceeds from the Police Property Act, the pot of money available has come from auctioning any unclaimed property that has been recovered following a crime.

Mr Wilkinson said: “My office is looking to help fund voluntary groups, organisations and charities that tackle major issues like anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol related crimes and supporting young people. It’s a really great way for us to give back to the community with the money raised from unclaimed property.

“In previous years we have awarded thousands of pounds to some incredible causes which will make a difference to the lives of people living in Wiltshire and Swindon.

“I want to encourage groups to visit the WCF webpage to read the full eligibility criteria and get your application in.”

Wiltshire Community Foundation Joint Chief Executive Fiona Oliver said: “We are delighted to be working once again with the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver the Community Action Fund Grants. Projects delivered by these grants will help to build safer, stronger and more cohesive communities across Wiltshire and Swindon improving the lives of local people.”

For more information on how to apply, please visit the Community Action Fund page. The fund will be open for submissions all year round, but funding will be awarded on a quarterly basis with the first awards being made to bids submitted by mid-May.

An online Meet the Funder event is being held on 26 April from 10.30-11.30am to explain the full criteria for the programme as well as take any Q&As. You can sign up here.