Community Fund for Elmbridge
Providing financial support to charities, community groups, and local projects across Esher and the wider Elmbridge borough.
What is Community Fund for Elmbridge?
The Community Fund for Elmbridge has been launched as part of Sandown Park Racecourse’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2025. Funds raised can be bid for in the form of grants by charities, groups and community projects local to Esher, applications should be made through our Main Grants Round here.
A lasting fund for Elmbridge
For 150 years, Sandown Park Racecourse has been a focal point of the community, and this fund ensures that local people and organisations continue to benefit. The Community Fund for Elmbridge will be the centrepiece of Sandown Park’s fundraising efforts during its anniversary year and beyond.
The fund will offer grants to support local initiatives that create a positive impact. Further details on the types of projects eligible for funding will be released in due course.
Funding Opportunities
The first round of funding applications was open for Expressions of Interest on 7th July 2025 and was awarded in February 2026.
The fund will provide much-needed grants to grassroots organisations working to enhance community well-being, inclusion, and development. The fund will focus on local charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations that play a vital role in making Elmbridge a better place to live.
Sarah Drabwell, General Manager at Sandown Park Racecourse, said:
“For 150 years, Sandown Park has been at the heart of our community, and we are delighted to mark this milestone with the launch of the Community Fund for Elmbridge.
Partnering with Community Foundation for Surrey ensures that we can make a real difference where it matters most. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this fund will have for years to come.”
Make a donation
Donations can be made at any level, either as one-off donations or spread over a period of time. They can be donated as gifts of cash, legacies, shares, property or land.
To donate visit the main donation page. If you would prefer to make a bank transfer, please contact us.
Don’t forget Gift Aid! Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, Community Foundation for Surrey will receive an extra 25p from HM Revenue & Customs, helping your donation go further.
Apply for Funding
A small grant can make a big difference
Applying for a small grant (less than £2500) is easy.
Simply click the link below to send us a quick email. You will be asked to say a few words about your organisation and what you want the funding for – keep it short.
The Fund Panel will then review whether they have any funding available and if they’d like to invite you to apply, they will send you a link to the online application form.
If you’re invited to apply, the application will be processed within a month.
If you need more than £2,500 you should apply as usual via our main grants round.
Our small grants process is designed to respond to local, urgent needs, and particularly to support the small grassroots organisations that provide much-needed support to the most vulnerable in our communities.
We therefore welcome applications that prioritise addressing the needs of residents at disadvantage because of economic or health circumstances, living with poverty or other need or inequality.