The Wimbledon Foundation, the charitable arm of The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and The Championships, has announced further commitments to its Community Fund and Get Set, Get Active Fund with £290,000 of grant funding available.
The Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund is now open with grants of up to £10,000 available to charities and community organisations working in the London Boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth. Launched in 2014, the fund has awarded £1.9 million through 309 grants to wide-ranging projects which have helped more than 47,000 people.
Funding is available to projects that address one or more of the following themes: improving mental and physical health and well-being; providing access to learning, training and employment skills; improving access to advocacy, specialist support and advice for vulnerable groups; encouraging participation in the community. In support of Wandsworth’s designation as the Borough of Culture for 2025, applications are also welcomed from organisations engaging local residents in community art projects.
The Get Set, Get Active Fund is offering grants to organisations who are working to increase the opportunities for local people of all ages and abilities to access and participate in sport and exercise. Local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and sports clubs active in Merton and Wandsworth can apply for grants of £500 to £3,500 towards the costs of direct provision of physical or sports activities including instructor fees, venue hire, equipment and kit.
Last week, the Wimbledon Foundation welcomed representatives from 35 local charities awarded Community Fund grants in 2024 for an afternoon tea and networking event at the All England Club, followed by a tour of the Grounds.
Peter Murray, Listening Volunteer and Trustee of South West London Samaritans, said: “The generous grant we received from the Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund will help Putney Samaritans to expand the ‘hours of need’ shifts between 11pm and 5.30am when demand is highest, as well as expanding volunteer recruitment and training. The afternoon tea hosted by the Foundation was also a wonderful opportunity to meet other local charities and explore new outreach opportunities to ensure local residents are aware of the vital support services we provide.”
David Jenkins, Deputy Chief Executive of Merton Centre for Independent Living, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded a Community Fund grant to support our work building confidence, connection and skills in local disabled people to help make our borough more inclusive for all. This work will support our community to come together and achieve change locally. Thank you to the Wimbledon Foundation.”
Rebecca Smits from Power 2 Connect, said: “The Wimbledon Foundation’s continued support will help us in our mission to close the Digital Divide. The Community Fund grant will help us to provide more refurbished devices and digital skills courses to families in Wandsworth, helping children access education, parents build digital confidence, and unlocking new opportunities for families to thrive in today’s digital world.”
Amanda Horton-Mastin, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation said: “We are thrilled to start the new year by reopening the Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund and Get Set, Get Active Fund. We are fortunate to have been able to support so many excellent projects and look forward to funding more organisations that make a real difference to the lives of people living in our local community of Merton and Wandsworth.”
The funds are open to applications until midday on Monday 24 February 2025. For more information or to apply, please visit the Wimbledon Foundation website.
