Community funds in England

Aerial view of multiple wind turbines in a flat, expansive landscape under a cloudy sky, showcasing renewable energy. — Community funds in England

Our community funds at a glance

England

RWE is dedicated to generating electricity using sustainable energy resources. The sites we operate have a long history of making positive contributions to their local communities.

Knabs Ridge Onshore Wind Farm, North Yorkshire

Base level of fund	£16,000 per annum index linked
Date of operation	2008
Expected lifetime amount	Over £400,000
Fund Administration	Two Ridings Community Foundation administer the fund. A grants panel of volunteers from local communities make decisions regarding the allocation of funds.
Area of benefit	The parish council areas of Felliscliffe, Hampsthwaite, Birstwith, Norwood, Menwith with Darley, Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw and Fewston.
How can I apply?	For a grant application pack, and to find out the closing date for applications, please visit the Two Ridings Community Foundation’s website.
Annual Report	Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Fund annual report, spring 2021 Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Fund annual report, spring 2020 Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Fund annual report, spring 2017 Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Fund annual report, spring 2016 Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Fund annual report, spring 2015

Little Cheyne Court Onshore Wind Farm, Kent

Base level of fund	£60,000 index linked
Date of operation	2008
Expected lifetime amount	Over £1.2 million
Fund Administration	The fund is administered jointly by Kent and Sussex Community Foundations. In addition to the fund, innogy pays the administration costs of the Community Foundations. The Foundations have convened a grants panel of volunteers from local communities to make decisions regarding the allocation of funds in the community. The panel considers applications twice a year for grants from £500 to £5,000 to support environmental, educational, community and charitable activities.
Area of benefit	The fund supports projects within a 10 kilometre radius of the wind farm.
How can I apply?	For a grant application pack, please contact the relevant Community Foundation: Sussex Community Foundation T 01273 409440 www.sussexgiving.org.uk Kent Community Foundation T 01273 409440 www.kentcf.org.uk
Annual Report	Little Cheyne Sussex Report 2022 Little Cheyne Court 2021 donor report (Sussex) Little Cheyne Court Community Fund Impact Report 2019/2020 Little Cheyne Court Community Fund Impact Report 2019 (Sussex) Little Cheyne Kent Impact Report 2018/2019 Little Cheyne Court – Grants awarded to March 2019 (Sussex) Little Cheyne Court – Grants awarded to October 2018 (Sussex) Little Cheyne Court – Grants awarded to April 2016 (Kent)

Lindhurst Onshore Wind Farm, Nottinghamshire

Base level of fund	£10,000 per annum index linked
Expected lifetime amount	Over £250,000
Fund Administration	The fund is managed by Nottinghamshire Community Foundation with all decisions on the allocation of funds being taken by a grants panel which includes local community representatives.
Area of benefit	Rainworth, Blidworth and the South Mansfield ward of Lindhurst.
How can I apply?	Please visit the Nottinghamshire Community Foundation website for details of how and when to apply for funding.

Kiln Pit Hill Onshore Wind Farm, County Durham

Base level of fund	£15,000 per annum index linked
Date of operation	2012
Expected lifetime amount	Over £375,000
Fund Administration	The fund is managed by the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland who support a grants panel made up of local people who make decisions about the allocation of funding.
Area of benefit	Initially Shotley Low Quarter Parish
Fund set up	In 2012 a consultation took place to shape the structure and administration of the fund. The Community Foundation, working with the grants panel, set up the application process and priorities for the fund using the results of the consultation to guide them. You can read the consultation results here: Kiln Pit Hill community benefit package consultation results and next steps
How can I apply?	Visit the Community Foundation's website
Annual Report	Kiln Pit Hill – Impact Report 2019 Kiln Pit Hill – Impact Report 2018 Kiln Pit Hill – Impact Report 2014/2015

Bradwell Onshore Wind Farm, Essex

Base level of fund	£30,000 index linked
Date of operation	2013
Expected lifetime amount	Over £750,000
Fund Administration	The fund is managed by the Essex Community Foundation. Decisions on the allocation of funds are taken by a grants panel made up of local people.
Area of benefit	The communities of Bradwell on Sea and Tillingham.
Fund set up	A community consultation was undertaken by innogy in 2013 to gain local people’s views on how the fund could best be designed to benefit local communities. To view a report on that consultation, click here: Bradwell Community Fund Consultation
How can I apply?	For more details and an application pack, please visit the website of the Fund Administrators, Essex Community Foundation

Middlemoor Onshore Wind Farm, Northumberland

Base level of fund	£81,000 per annum index linked
Date of operation	2013
Expected lifetime amount	Over £1.6 million
Fund Administration	The fund is managed by the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland who support a grants panel made up of local people who make decisions about the allocation of funding.
Area of benefit	Primarily Eglingham Parish but groups based outside the parish that benefit the parish are also considered. See the detailed criteria on the Community Foundation’s website for more information.
Fund set up	In 2013, an independent charity, Community Action Northumberland, conducted a consultation to establish the type of projects and initiatives that could be supported through the community investment fund. You can read the report here: Potential Projects Middlemoor You can also find out more background information about the Middlemoor Community Fund and the consultation process that was undertaken here: Community Consultation Middlemoor Community Fund
How can I apply?	Please visit the Community Foundation's website
Annual Report	Middlemoor – Impact Report 2019 Middlemoor – Impact Report 2018 Middlemoor – Impact Report 2013/2014

Middlemoor Fund Homepage

Goole Fields and Goole II Onshore Wind Farm, East Yorkshire

Base level of fund	Goole Fields £64,000, Goole II £64,000
Date of operation	Goole Fields 2014, Goole II 2017
Expected lifetime amount	Over £1.6 million
Fund Administration	The fund is secured through a section 106 agreement, as requested by East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC). This agreement specifies certain aspects of fund management, including the payment schedule for the fund and the administrators of the fund – ERYC. All decisions on the allocation of funds are made by a nominated panel of people who live, work or volunteer within the area of benefit supported by ERYC’s Rural Communities Officer. A proportion of the additional Goole 2 funds was ring-fenced to a separate fund for an East Riding wide area of benefit which was launched in early 2020 the “East Riding of Yorkshire Future Communities Initiative” this is designed to help community and voluntary groups across the county to realise their own ambitions.
Area of benefit	The Fund is designed to specifically benefit communities within a defined geographical area (namely the Wards of Goole North, Goole South, Snaith, Airmyn, Rawcliffe and Marshland plus the Parishes of Kilpin, Laxton, Blacktoft). The East Riding of Yorkshire Future Communities Initiative is open to groups from across the county.
Fund set up	Please visit: www2.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/energy-related-community-funds/goole-fields-wind-farm-community-fund/
How can I apply?	Please contact: David Farnsworth Rural Communities Officer East Riding of Yorkshire Council Room FG5 County Hall Cross Street Beverley HU17 9BAT T 01482 391650 E [email protected] To find out more and apply to the Goole Fields Wind Farms Fund please visit: https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/rural-funding/goole-fields-wind-farm-community-fund/ To find out more about the East Riding of Yorkshire Future Communities Initiative and how to get involved please visit: https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/rural-funding/east-riding-of-yorkshire-future-communities-initiative/
Annual Report	Goole Fields Wind Farm Community Fund 2018/2019 Goole Fields Wind Farm Community Fund 2017 Goole Fields Wind Farm Community Fund 2016 Goole Fields Wind Farm Community Fund 2015

Hameldon Hill Extension Onshore Wind Farm, Lancashire

Base level of fund	£9,000 index linked
Date of operation	2015
Expected lifetime amount	Over £225,000
Fund Administration	The Community Foundation for Lancashire administers the fund but decisions on the allocation of grants are made by a panel of local people who live, work or volunteer within the area of benefit.
Area of benefit	The fund aims to benefit groups working in the Hapton with Park Ward and additionally in some rounds the Gawthorpe Ward. Applicant groups should be based in these wards, or provide services that support people living in these areas.
How can I apply?	Contact the Community Foundation
Reports	Hameldon Hill Extension Wind Farm Fund Report

Hellrigg Onshore Wind Farm, Cumbria

Base level of fund	£15,000 per annum index linked
Date of operation	2011
Expected lifetime amount	Over £375,000
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation with all decisions on the allocation of funds made by a local grants panel.
Area of benefit	The North Allerdale Parish Council areas of Holme Abbey, Holme Low, Holme St Cuthbert and Silloth-on-Solway.
Fund set up	In 2011 we consulted on the proposed structure and administration of the Community Fund with local communities. The feedback we received suggested that our proposed structure and administration would be suitable, so the fund was set up as outlined here: Hellrigg Community Benefit Consultation
How can I apply?	Please visit the Community Foundation's website
Annual Report	Hellrigg Annual Report 2021/2022 Hellrigg Annual Report 2020/2021 Hellrigg Annual Report 2019/2020 Hellrigg Annual Report 2018 Hellrigg Annual Report 2017 Hellrigg Annual Report 2016

Galloper Offshore Wind Farm (AONB), Suffolk

Fund name	Galloper Wind Farm Fund
Base level of fund	£11,000 per annum
Date of operation	Windfarm Fully operational 2018, community fund operational from 2014 to 2031
Expected lifetime amount	£187,000 over a 17 year period
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape. A panel including representatives from Galloper Wind Farm Ltd, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and Leiston Town Council meet once a year to assess projects and award grants.
Area of benefit	The fund aims to contribute to the appearance, setting, conservation, amenity, accessibility and enjoyment of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB and the area defined as within a 5 kilometre radius of Sizewell (the location of the Galloper substation).
How can I apply?	Contact: Oka Last Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB T 01473 265558 E [email protected] More information and application forms can be found here.
Annual Report	To find out more about what the fund has supported please visit: http://www.galloperwindfarm.com/community/#community-involvement

Galloper Offshore Wind Farm (Leiston & Sizewell), Suffolk

Fund name	The Leiston and Sizewell Community Fund
Base level of fund	£12,500 per annum
Date of operation	Windfarm Fully operational 2018, community fund operational from 2012 to 2018
Expected lifetime amount	£85,000 over a 7 year period
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Sizewell B and allocated by a committee formed by representatives from Sizewell B, Galloper Offshore Wind Farm and Community Action Suffolk.
Area of benefit	A 10 kilometre radius of Sizewell (the location of the Galloper substation).
Fund set up	The fund has been established as a thank you from the wind farm developers and as a condition for their use of EDF Energy’s land for essential substation equipment for the project.
How can I apply?	This fund is now closed to new applications.
Annual Report	To find out more about what the fund has supported please visit: http://www.galloperwindfarm.com/community/#community-involvement

Galloper Offshore Wind Farm (Operations Base), Suffolk

Fund name	Galloper Operation Base Community Fund
Base level of fund	£10,000 per annum, index linked each year in line with inflation
Date of operation	Windfarm Fully operational 2018, community fund operational for 10 years from 2018 to 2022
Expected lifetime amount	£50,000
Fund Administration	Essex Community Foundation
Area of benefit	Charitable, educational and environmental activities in the Harwich area
Fund set up	An additional fund set up to support the communities living close to the projects operational base.
How can I apply?	Please visit http://www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk/ to find out more about the fund criteria and application process.
Annual Report	To find out more about what the fund has supported please visit: http://www.galloperwindfarm.com/community/#community-involvement

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm, Lincolnshire

Base level of fund	£500,000 one off fund during construction £40,000 annual fund during operation index linked
Date of operation	2021
Expected lifetime amount	over £1.5 million
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Lincolnshire Community Foundation.
Area of benefit	One off construction fund - All eligible applicants / projects, located within 3km of the landfall location, 5km of the substation location and 1km of the onshore cable route were able to apply for funding. Annual fund – All eligible applicants / projects located within 3km of the Landfall and 5km of the Onshore Substation.
How can I apply?	To find out more and how to apply please visit: www.tritonknoll.co.uk/communities/community-investment-fund/

Butterwick Moor Wind Farm Onshore Wind Farm, Sedgefield, County Durham

Base level of fund	£40,000 index linked
Date of operation	2011
Expected lifetime amount	over £1 million
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by County Durham Community Foundation.
Area of benefit	Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm including, Fishburn, Thorpe Larches, Trimdon, Trimdon Station, Sedgefield, Winterton
How can I apply?	You can find out more about how to apply at: https://ukcf.secure.force.com/forms/CDCF/EONButterwickMoorWindFarmCommunityBenefitsFund. Deadline for application submissions: Applications can be made at any time. The panel consider applications in January, April, July and October.

Great Eppleton Wind Farm Onshore Wind Farm, Hetton-Le-Hole, Sunderland

Base level of fund	£20,000 index linked
Date of operation	2010 when project was re-powered
Expected lifetime amount	over £500,000
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by County Durham Community Foundation, with their administration fee paid on top of the fund.
Area of benefit	Eligible area: Chilton Moor, Colliery Row, Easington Lane, Grasswell, Hetton, Houghton-le-Spring, Littletown, Rainton/Rainton East/Middle/Gate, Murton, South Hetton, Seaton, Sunniside, Warden Law.
How can I apply?	You can find out more about how to apply at: https://ukcf.secure.force.com/forms/CDCF/EONGreatEppletonWindFarmCommunityBenefitsFund. Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time. The panel consider applications in February, May, August and October.

Haswell Moor Wind Farm Onshore Wind Farm, County Durham

Base level of fund	£30,000 index linked
Date of operation	Project commissioned 2010, community fund opened 2011
Expected lifetime amount	over £750,000
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by County Durham Community Foundation, with their administration fee paid on top of the fund. Fund equal to £3,000 per MW installed capacity.
Area of benefit	Eligible area: Easington Lane, Haswell, Haswell Plough, High Pittington, Littletown, Low Pittington, Ludworth, Cassop, Old Cassop, Shadforth, Sherburn Village, Sherburn Hill, Thornley and Wheatley Hill.
How can I apply?	You can find out more about how to apply at: https://ukcf.secure.force.com/forms/CDCF/EONHaswelMoorWindFarmCommunityBenefitsFund. Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time. The panel consider applications in February, May, August and October.

Tween Bridge Wind Farm Onshore Wind Farm, Thorne, Doncaster

Base level of fund	£55,000 index linked
Date of operation	2012
Expected lifetime amount	over £1.3 million
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by South Yorkshire Community Foundation with decisions made by a panel of local representatives.
Area of benefit	Thorne and Moorends, parts of Hatfield, Hatfield Woodhouse, Sandtoft, Fosterhouses, Stainforth, Ealand, Fishlake, Crowle and Belton and other settlements within the defined 3-mile radius of the wind farm
How can I apply?	Find out more about how to apply at: https://www.sycf.org.uk/apply/doncaster/tween-bridge-wind-farm-community-benefits-fund/
Annual Report	Tween Bridge Grants

Humber Gateway Onshore Wind Farm, East Yorkshire coast

Base level of fund	£50,000 index linked
Date of operation	Wind farm operational 2015, first year of fund 2016
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by the operations team at Humber Gateway with decisions made by a panel of Humber Gateway staff.
Area of benefit	Charitable, educational and environmental activities in the Harwich area
How can I apply?	Please contact [email protected] to make an application. Appliations can be made at any time, there is no closing date

Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, Sussex coast, Newhaven

Base level of fund	£3.1 million lifetime total
Date of operation	2018
Expected lifetime amount	£3.1 million
Fund Administration	The Fund is managed by the Sussex Community Foundation and more information about it can be found at Sussex Community Foundation https://www.rampionoffshore.com/community/benefit-fund/
Area of benefit	This fund supports projects from Littlehampton in the east to Beachy Head in the west and north from the coast to Twineham.There are specific ring-fenced funds for East Worthing and Lancing, as well as for the onshore substation community near Twineham. Area of Benefit
Fund set up	Fund was set up in partnership between Rampion Offshore Wind Farm and the Sussex Community Foundation. Fund was launched in November 2017 with first awards in March 2018
How can I apply?	To apply to the fund and find our more about the other ways Rampion supports its local communtiy please visit: https://www.rampionoffshore.com/community/benefit-fund/

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Construction Community Fund, North East

Base level of fund	£33,000
Date of operation	The fund was launched on 19^th April 2021
Expected lifetime amount	£150,000
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Tees Valley Community Foundation
Area of benefit	The communities of Marske by the Sea; New Marske; Yearby; Wilton Village; Kirkleatham; Lazenby; Old Lackenby; South Lackenby; Whale Hill, Eston, Grangetown and Redcar East.
How can I apply?	You can find out more about how to apply at: https://teesvalleyfoundation.org/apply-for-a-grant Applications can be made at any time.

Ashorne Solar Farm, Warwickshire

Total fund	£150,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by: Whitnash Town Council (£10,000), Bishops Tachbrook Parish Council (£70,000) and Chesterton and Kingston Parish Meeting (£70,000).
How can I apply?	Please contact the administrators directly: Home - Whitnash Town Council Parish Council - Bishop's Tachbrook Chesterton and Kingston: The Parish Council

Claydon Solar Farm, Gloucestershire

Total fund	£50,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Ashchurch Rural Parish Council
How can I apply?	Please contact the Parish Council direct: Email: [email protected] ASHCHURCH RURAL PARISH

Copse Lodge Solar Farm, Northamptonshire

Total fund	£180,000
Date of operation	2025
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by GrantScape
Area of benefit	Greatworth and Farthinghoe Parish Council areas.
How can I apply?	Please visit GrantScape’s website for more information: Copse Lodge Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund - Grantscape Grantscape

Cotmoor Solar Farm, Nottinghamshire

Total fund	£50,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by GrantScape
Area of benefit	Halloughton Parish
How can I apply?	Please visit GrantScape’s website for more information: Cotmoor Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund - Grantscape Grantscape

Doverdale Solar Farm, Worcestershire

Total fund	£50,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Elmley and Lovett Parish Council and Ombersley and Doverdale Parish Council
How can I apply?	Please contact the Parish Councils directly: ELMLEY LOVETT PARISH Email: [email protected] Home - Ombersley & Doverdale Parish Council Email: [email protected]

Fraddon Solar Farm, Cornwall

Total fund	£170,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by St Enoder Parish Council
How can I apply?	Please contact the Parish Council directly: Email: [email protected] Home - St Enoder Parish Council

Langford Solar Farm, Mid Devon

Total fund	£40,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Cullompton Town Council
How can I apply?	Please contact the Town Council directly: Email: [email protected] Cullompton Town Council – Devon, England

Moreton Solar Farm, Gloucestershire

Total fund	£65,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Whitminster and Moreton Valence Parish Council
How can I apply?	Please contact the Parish Councils direct: Moreton Valence Parish Council – Serving the local community Whitminster Parish Council – Serving the local community

Stoneshollow Solar Farm, Leicestershire

Total fund	£250,000
Date of operation	2024/2025
Fund Administration	The fund is administered by Nailstone and Barlestone Parish Councils
How can I apply?	Please contact the Parish Councils directly: For Nailstone email: [email protected] Nailstone Parish Council \| Parish Councils For Barlestone email: [email protected] Barlestone Parish Council

Laynes Wood Solar Farm, Gloucestershire

Total fund	£250,000
Date of operation	2024
Fund Administration	Funds are administered by: Rudford and Highleadon Parish Council and a fund is in the process of being established by Newent Town Council Funds have also been donated directly to: the Canal Trust, Picklenash Junior School and Glebe Infant School, Tibberton Village Hall, Tibberton School and Tibberton Church.
How can I apply?	Please contact the Parish and Town Councils direct: RUDFORD AND HIGHLEADON PARISH Email: [email protected] Newent Town Council Email: [email protected]