£409,122 awarded to strengthen Surrey communities in our latest Main Grants Round
The latest Main Grants Round (MR3) from Community Foundation for Surrey has delivered vital funding to charities and grassroots groups across the county — awarding £409,122 through 67 grants to support local people facing some of Surrey’s toughest challenges.
This was an exceptionally competitive round. We received 105 eligible applications, requesting a total of £715,000. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to fund projects making a tangible difference to children, young people, families and vulnerable adults across Surrey across a wide range of support.
Main Grants Round 3 - Areas of Primary Impact
Addressing Poverty and Disadvantage
A quarter of the grants awarded focus directly on tackling poverty and its far-reaching impacts. Funding is supporting projects that improve educational attainment, develop skills, and provide practical help around homelessness, domestic abuse and rehabilitation.
Grants are also enabling immediate, frontline support. One funded initiative is providing free, healthy lunches during school holidays for low-income families - helping to ease pressure on household budgets while ensuring children have access to nutritious meals. Other programmes are working proactively with schools to support children living in poverty, giving them opportunities to create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
Strengthening Community Food Support
Funding has also strengthened vital community food provision with organisations such as Welcome Church receiving funds for the Woking Community Grocery.
“This grant has helped us to recruit a manager for Woking Community Grocery, significantly strengthening our capacity to serve local families. With this vital support we will be able to provide thousands of people with access to good, affordable food, alongside community support and connection.”
Photo: Welcome Church - Woking Community Grocery
By investing in leadership and core roles, grants are helping organisations build sustainable services that can meet growing local need.
Responding to Mental Health Needs
Mental health and wellbeing continue to be a serious concern across our communities, with 40% of this round’s funding awarded to projects in this field, supporting people of all ages.
Among those funded is Hope Support Services, which provides specialist support to young people when a close family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
“We would not be able to do this deep outreach work in Surrey without your support. We are very grateful for your generosity and we believe it will be beneficial to children, young people and families in Surrey who are experiencing a very difficult health crisis.”
Photo: Hope Support Services, Online Wellbeing Adviser.
Investing in Sustainable Local Support
Beyond project delivery, several grants are supporting core and staffing costs for charities, community centres and outreach services - ensuring trusted local organisations can continue to operate and grow.
Additional funding is backing nature-based therapy, cancer and bereavement services, community food projects, energy and housing advice, and inclusive sports activities - helping vulnerable residents access essential support, improve wellbeing and reduce isolation.
This latest round demonstrates the power of local giving to create real, measurable change. In a time of rising need, the generosity of our donors is strengthening Surrey’s voluntary sector and ensuring that children, young people and families facing hardship are not left behind.