Make a nomination as a professional for a grant to a family or individual

Kent Community Foundation has four distinct funding streams that offer support to individuals and families in need via referral from a professional. Whilst each stream has its own specific criteria, to apply to any of them the following four conditions must be met:

The individual or family being nominated must be a resident of Kent or Medway
There must be a demonstrable financial disadvantage underlying the request (e.g. the family are reliant on benefits or out of work for whatever reason)
All nominations must be submitted by a professional third party
The request is not for something that local/national authorities have a statutory duty to provide

Please note: We cannot accept any nominations directly from the beneficiary or their family and friends. Examples of professionals that can nominate an individual or family for a grant include (but are not limited to): charity employees, social workers, GPs and specialist doctors, occupational therapists or teachers.

If a grant is awarded, funds will be paid to the nominating organisation to purchase items / services on the grantee’s behalf. If this is not possible, then only under very exceptional circumstances, grants will be paid by KCF directly to the supplier via Invoice / BACS. The nominated individual must not be paid the grant direct.

Get in touch if you would like to discuss any nominations you are considering submitting, before taking the time to fill in a nomination form.

Download a nomination form here

Useful Links

Download a nomination form FAQs Alternative Sources of Individual Funding

Ivy and Jane Charitable Fund

Average grant: £400

Nominate a young carer up to the age of 18, who looks after someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or a drug or alcohol problem. Most young carers look after one of their parents or care for a brother or sister. The fund awards grants young carers nominated by a professional to be used for activities that the young carer might otherwise miss out on, thereby helping them to have enjoyable childhood experiences. Requests for essential capital items, for example a school uniform (though not laptops), will also be considered.

Examples of grants awarded: school residential trips, gym / leisure centre memberships, dance classes, theatre school, after school activities and sports club subscriptions and kit

Take a look at Oscar's story and how the fund has helped him.

Wards Estate Agents Charity Fund

Average grant: £500 - £2,000

Nominate a child, or young person up to 25 years old, with physical disabilities, long-term illnesses and/or life limiting conditions. Priority will be given to equipment that directly benefits the mental and physical health of the child. The fund will consider requests for equipment required due to disability and 'make a wish' holidays for terminally ill children.

Examples of grants awarded: wheelchair power packs, specialist buggies & trikes, sensory toys, tough / safe furniture & mattresses, car harnesses & specialist seats, therapy benches and epilepsy alarms.

Read David's story and what funding meant for him.

Grassroots Carers Respite Fund

Average grant: £300 - £600

Nominate an adult caring for one or more individuals over the age of 18, who are seeking a break from their long-term caring responsibilities. The fund will consider requests for various forms of respite. Contributions towards travel costs to and from the break as well as a modest amount of spending money, if the request includes an overnight stay, will be considered. To be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of grants awarded: short holidays (up to one week), weekend breaks, pamper days, day trips, evening classes, gym / swimming and other annual memberships.

See how the fund supported Shona on our case studies page.

Care Leavers Fund

Average grant: £500 - 1,500

Nominate a care leaver, or care experienced young person, age 16.5-25 years, as they move from foster / state care to independent living. A time that can be challenging and stressful. The fund will consider requests that aim to support the young person to set up home, gain confidence, experience, life skills and help reach their potential. There is no deadline to apply, with nominations considered on a rolling basis.

Examples of grants: including, but not restricted to, home basics, therapy, counselling, driving lessons, sports club memberships, trips and experiences.

SWEF Enterprise Fund

Average grant: £500 - £2000

Kent Community Foundation is working in partnership with SWEF to provide two different business grants to young entrepreneurs in Kent and Medway, aged 18-30. To cover essential costs as you turn your business idea into reality or to support growth and development if your business has started trading and is less than 2 years old.

Examples of start-up grants: Materials, stock, equipment, prototypes, marketing, training, services to get your business running.

Examples of established business grants: Equipment, materials, prototypes, website / booking system build, training, product development, services to get up and running or support your business’s development.

Full details and how to apply here

Read David's story

Read Oscar's story

Read Shona's story

How to apply

Complete a nomination form (download a form here ) and send to individuals@kentcf.org.uk

If you are considering submitting a nomination and would like to discuss this first before you do so, you can email individuals@kentcf.org.uk and we will be happy to answer any queries.

I am very grateful for your help last year, this money enabled me to go away with my daughter and give her the break she deserves. We were able to spend the money on doing things as a family and enjoy watching her smile and have a great time which I haven’t seen in a long while. I would like to send my warmest gratitude as you have helped me in more ways than you know. Thank you.
Mandy

A HUGE THANK YOU for the work you do and bringing sunshine to people’s lives. You really have made a difference to ours.
Mel

I would like to sincerely thank you for my guitar and the many accessories…I’m hoping to take music as one of my GCSE’s and now I have the guitar it will make my dream come true.
Young Carer

Thank you for your grant…This has come at a much needed time. Your grant will help my son access the amazing activities his school have on every half term and summer holidays.
Angela

I'm writing to you as I want to thank you for your kind and generous financial award which you gave me to attend Sea Cadets. Words alone can't express the happiness this opportunity has given me, I love sea cadets because I've been able to make new friends who enjoy the same things I do and it given me exciting opportunity which school and other organisations would not of been able to give me.
Young Carer

Just a note to say a huge thank you for my daughter’s IPad and speech app…Life with autism is tough if can’t communicate. This new IPad will come with her everywhere she goes so she can express her needs and make suggestions. A complete godsend! Thank you so much!
Claire

MASSIVE 'thank you ' to everyone at Kent Community Foundation. Your funding support is HUGELY appreciated and has enabled us to get into the heart of local communities with REAL, affordable, healthy and tasty food that does so much more than feed people.
Community chef Mike Spackman, Sheppey Matters

KCF's enthusiasm for what we are doing and hoping to do, coupled with helpful advice, gave us the confidence to take this daunting step which has paid off.
Liz Turner, Octopus Foundation

It's great having a foundation that empowers organisations and charities in our community to make real positive differences and changes!
Tom, MMK Mind

Nominate individuals for a grant