Havenstreet foundation being presented with a giant cheque fir £7217

Apply for slice of £80,000 pie to help build better communities or support people to access employment or housing

Local charities and good causes are invited to apply for a share of £80,000 from the Isle of Wight Foundation.

Grants of between £3,000 and £16,000 are available for projects involved in helping build better communities or supporting people to access employment or housing.

What is Isle of Wight Foundation?
The Isle of Wight Foundation was formed in 2014 by the network of companies which form Island Roads – Ringway Island Roads, Meridiam, Island Roads Services and Vinci Concessions.

To date, it has awarded grants totalling well over £700,000 to Isle of Wight good causes. Recently the Isle of Wight Foundation announced that nine local groups would receive a share of more than £92,000 for projects taking place in 2023.

Groups who have never applied
As well as welcoming applications from previous grant recipients, the foundation would particularly like to hear from groups who have never applied to the foundation before.

Charities, community groups and voluntary organisations can all apply, subject to meeting the foundation’s funding aims and criteria.

Previous support
Examples of projects previously supported include building modifications to make them more accessible for all; new minibuses to connect communities and help people to access services; IT equipment to prevent social isolation or support people with training or access to employment; the provision of sports kit to help bring communities together through sport; specialist equipment – such as adapted bicycles or wheelchairs to enable people to take part in new activities.

Gillespie: Our grants are making a difference
Chairman of the IW Foundation Rob Gillespie said,

“We would like to encourage community interest and not-for-profit organisations involved in bringing communities together or supporting people with training to apply for funding from our foundation.

“We have seen first-hand the difference our grants are making to the Island’s community and are very proud to have supported so many good causes.”

Hattersley: It has made a huge difference to our local community
Havenstreet Community Association successfully applied for funding to renovate its hall’s outside space to create an accessible garden and area for groups to meet and take part in activities.

Havenstreet Community Garden

Veronica Hattersley, Chairman of Havenstreet Community Association, said,

“The funding from the Isle of Wight Foundation allowed us to transform our tired and overgrown outdoor space into a vibrant, safe, and versatile area which, both individuals and groups, can use year-round to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature.

“It has made a huge difference to our local community, providing a beautiful area which is regularly used for events and social gatherings.”

Havenstreet Community Garden

Project sponsors
As well as grant funding, eligible projects are supported by Island Roads employees who are given the opportunity to be project sponsors and give their time to share their specialist skills with grant recipients to help them deliver their projects.

Funding applications can be made until midday on Tuesday 9th May 2023.


News shared by Anna on behalf of Isle of Wight Foundation. Ed