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Annual Funding Call 2026/27: Building Community
The Duchy Health Charity’s ‘Building Community’ funding call is the first in a series of funding opportunities that will support our new Community Resilience strategic focus – more details on our strategy can be found here.
Community plays a vital role in supporting good mental and physical health. Through this strategic focus, we aim to recognise and strengthen the ability of people and communities to respond to challenges such as declining health, social isolation and adverse weather events.
We are interested in supporting initiatives that help people connect with one another, build supportive networks and strengthen a sense of belonging. This could include helping people feel more prepared during severe weather events, reducing isolation, or creating opportunities for neighbours and community members to support one another in times of need.
Importantly, all projects funded through this programme must deliver benefits to people living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Applicants must demonstrate that the beneficiaries of their project are local residents.
Funding theme: Building Community
Communities can take many forms, including:
- Communities of place, such as people living in the same town or village.
- Communities of interest, such as sports clubs or hobby groups.
- Communities of faith.
- Communities connected through shared experiences, identities or backgrounds.
A resilient community is one where people know where to turn when in need and do not feel lonely or isolated.
For this funding call, we invite community groups, charities and other not-for-profit organisations to apply for support for projects that:
- Create new, resilient, communities and connections.
- Bring new members into existing communities.
- Build stronger links between different communities.
- Increase participation, inclusion and belonging.
We are particularly interested in:
- Multigenerational initiatives.
- Projects that engage people at greater risk of loneliness or social isolation.
- Initiatives that widen participation and strengthen community resilience.
We are not seeking to fund business-as-usual activity and priority will be given to projects that expand the reach or inclusivity of existing initiatives, create new opportunities for community participation and demonstrate long-term sustainability.
Who can apply?
We are taking a hyper-local approach and welcome applications from:
- Community groups
- Local charities
- Not-for-profit organisations working at a grassroots level
We are not inviting applications from umbrella organisations or organisations that are not directly based in the communities where they propose to deliver their work.
Projects must be delivered within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and provide a clear benefit to local residents. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that the primary beneficiaries of the project are people who live in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
How to apply
To keep the application process as simple as possible, applications will be assessed through a two-stage process.
Stage 1: Expression of interest
Applicants must complete a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form outlining:
- Their proposal
- Basic organisational information
- Intended beneficiaries
- Planned outcomes
- Funding requested
This is intended to be a light-touch application stage. We are not looking for polished submissions. Bullet points are encouraged and applicants should focus on clearly summarising:
- What they want to do
- Who they want to engage
- The difference they hope to make
- The funding required
Stage 2: Full application
Applicants successful at the EOI stage will be invited to submit a full application.
This stage will require:
- A more detailed project description
- Delivery plans
- Timescales
- Budget breakdown
- Evidence of organisational capacity
Groups without formal legal status will also be asked to provide a statement of support from an independent referee or a locally based organisation with legal status that is familiar with the group’s work.
Successful applicants will be expected to participate in a shared monitoring and evaluation programme organised by Duchy Health Charity. This may include workshops, learning events and sharing project outcomes.
Funding available
Applications can be submitted for projects lasting up to 24 months.
Maximum grant levels are:
- Up to £25,000 for legally constituted organisations.
- Up to £10,000 for informally constituted organisations.
While the focus of the programme is community-based activity, the Board may consider small capital projects that remove barriers to participation. For example, adaptations to community facilities that improve accessibility.
The total funding available through this call is £150,000.
Funding timetable
| Stage | Indicative timing |
| Funding call launches and EOI window opens | w/c 5 October 2026 |
| EOI deadline | Midnight 22 November 2026 |
| Board assessment of EOIs | 8 December 2026 |
| Successful applicants invited to Stage 2 | w/c 7 December 2026 |
| Unsuccessful applicants notified | w/c 14 December 2026 |
| Full application deadline | Midnight 31 January 2027 |
| Board assessment of full applications | 22 February 2027 |
| Successful applicants notified | w/c 8 March 2027 |
| Funding announcement | April 2027 |
| Grant payments commence | April 2027 |
Questions
If you would like to discuss whether your project is a good fit for this funding programme before submitting an Expression of Interest, please contact us at:
enquiries@duchyhealthcharity.org
We look forward to hearing about projects that help build stronger, healthier and more resilient communities across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Expression of Interest
To register your initial interest in applying for an application please use the button below to access the Expression of Interest form. Further details on application criteria can be seen below.
Expression of Interest Application Criteria
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