Giving Theme:
Community-facing charitable and volunteer organisations working to address violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWGDASV)
Geographical Area:
Plymouth
Devon Community Foundation, in partnership with Plymouth City Council and The Sedel-Collings Foundation is pleased to be able to offer grants to a maximum value of £5,000 to community-facing charitable and volunteer organisations working to address violence against women and girls. The fund forms part of the city council’s commitment to a safer Plymouth and recognises that tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence is everyone’s business.
A copy of the Safer Plymouth strategy document can be found here.
This fund is one of several available through our Small Grants process.
We will assess all applications on the extent to which they are strengthening communities and tackling inequalities, and any eligible work that we cannot fund through this fund we will aim to match with another fund subject to availability.
Please note that organisations can hold up to three DCF small grants at any one time, depending on the type of grant(s) they have been awarded. More information on applying for additional small grants can be found in our FAQs, here.
The activity/work which is funded must take place in the Plymouth City Council area. Organisations based outside of Plymouth may be considered for funding, but only activity within Plymouth will be considered and a track record of delivering your services within the locality or a clear rationale for a move into the area must be demonstrated.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Fund Size: £35,000
Funding length: 12 months
Funding size: Maximum award of £5,000
Income threshold: Organisations with an annual income of £250,000 or less are eligible to apply.
Work which supports the Plymouth violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWGDASV) strategy including:
Promote positive cultural change around VAWGDASV
Increase safety of women and girls in the city
Deliver effective support and services to adult and child survivors of VAWGDASV
Prevent the development of misogyny and harmful attitudes among young people that enables VAWG
Deliver culturally informed services that are responsive to communities of protected demographic groups
Interventions which increase influence, voice and representation in order to push for more widespread, lasting change
Interventions which engage with those who harm
Core costs, staff costs and activity costs can be funded.
Are run by and for the communities they serve, where the client group is reflected in staffing, management and governance structures. This could mean that the trustees, staff and/or volunteers identify as part of the client group and/or live in the local community.
Have a track record of meeting the increased/diverse needs of the following minoritised and marginalised service-users;
Can demonstrate deep understanding of their community need and context
Deliver services which are co-designed with survivors, and delivered with survivors, not to or for
Recognise that VAWG is preventable and affects women and girls disproportionately due to unequal power relations (i.e is gender-informed)
Deliver interventions that connect VAWG to wider intersectional inequalities including ethnicity, class, gender identity, age, disability, sexuality, religion, belief and immigration status which impact on experiences of abuse and access to safety, support and justice
Demonstrate an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma, that emphasises physical, psychological and emotional safety for both providers and survivors, and that creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment (is trauma-informed)
Have a commitment to collaboration and developing partnerships.
The VAWG Fund is built on the desire to respect the expertise and experience of successful organisations. This is reflected in the Fund’s objectives to support organisational development, build networks, share insights and raise profile. This means each successful applicant will be asked to engage in the wider programme as part of their grant award and participate in an informal interview conducted by a Plymouth City Council VAWG team member. Applicants will also be invited to attend a VAWG Grants showcase held in the reception room at the Council House on the 25th March 2025.
Applicants will apply for the funding through our Small Grants application process.
We hold monthly online Q&A sessions, where a grants team member is available to give an overview of our Small Grants application process and answer any questions. Or you can book a 1:1 application support appointment by emailing grants@devoncf.com.
Before applying for a small grant via this fund, we ask that you complete the eligibility questions below. This will then direct you to the guidance notes and application form, or give further advice if you are not eligible at this time.
