Working with Community Foundations for small grants.

Local knowledge. Real Impact.

Our commitment to support communities across Cornwall and Devon is strongly reinforced through our small grants programme, delivered through named The Clare Milne Trust grant rounds, in partnership with Cornwall Community Foundation and Devon Community Foundation. Awards of under £5,000 are made to grassroots organisations that are deeply embedded in their communities at the heart of communities, so well placed to respond to local need.

Although modest in size, these grants consistently deliver powerful outcomes. For many community organisations, a relatively small amount of funding at the right time can make an extraordinary difference. It can enable the continuation of a trusted local service, support the launch of a new initiative, or provide the flexibility needed to respond swiftly to emerging challenges. In communities where demand is high and resources are limited, this kind of flexible funding can act as a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change.

Small grants play a vital role in supporting organisations that may not have the capacity or infrastructure to apply for complex or large-scale funding programmes. By keeping the application process accessible and proportionate, the programme helps ensure funding reaches those working closest to community need, supporting organisations with disabilities creating inclusive, safe and welcoming spaces where people can connect and thrive.

The focus of The Clare Milne Trust grants is on organisations that can clearly demonstrate a positive impact of a grant, for the benefit of disabled people.

The impact of these grants is varied and key. Because funding decisions are informed by strong local knowledge and insight through the excellent network and knowledge of the professional community foundation teams, support is targeted where it can be most effective.

Beyond immediate outcomes, small grants also contribute to the long-term resilience of local organisations. They help build confidence, strengthen partnerships, and provide opportunities to test new approaches that may attract additional support and investment. For groups receiving a Clare Milne Trust grant is not only financial support but a supported vote of confidence in their work and their understanding of the needs of disabled people and the wider community.

Our partnerships with both the Cornwall Community Foundation and Devon Community Foundation are central to the success of our small grants. Their deep connections with local voluntary and community organisations, combined with a strong understanding of place-based need, ensure funding is distributed fairly, transparently and with care. This trusted approach helps ensure resources reach communities that are often underserved and that the voices of disabled people and smaller organisations are heard.

Together, we are proud to support projects that demonstrate how small grants can create meaningful, inclusive impact. Through this approach The Clare Milne Trust continues to invest in organisations, people, potential and communities, ensuring that even modest funding can make a lasting difference when it is targeted, thoughtful and rooted in local need.

Devon Community Foundation

Cornwall Community Foundation