Do you have an idea, project or activity that helps your community thrive?
BAVO’s Make A Difference Grant Programme is here to support community and voluntary groups that are creating positive change across Bridgend County Borough. With a total funding pot of £100,000 available over three rounds in 2026-27, we’re proud to invest in local organisations that bring people together, improve wellbeing, strengthen communities and make a real difference to local residents.
Whether you’re planning a community event, purchasing equipment, delivering training, supporting volunteers or running an environmental project, we encourage you to apply.
Up to £500
Perfect for smaller projects, events, activities or one-off purchases that can make an immediate impact in your community.
Up to £3,000
For larger projects and activities that deliver clear benefits to people and communities across Bridgend County Borough.
Please note that organisations may submit one application within any 12-month period.
Applications are welcome from constituted voluntary and community organisations that:
Unfortunately, applications cannot be accepted from:
We’re keen to support a wide variety of projects that improve life in our communities.
Funding can contribute towards:
For main grants, funding may also contribute towards staffing and a limited proportion of organisational overheads where appropriate.
Please ensure your application form and all supporting documents are submitted before the deadline. Applications that are incomplete or missing information cannot be considered.
The assessment panel expects to meet in October 2026, with applicants notified of the outcome by the end of the month.
Please find the guidance notes here.
You can also find a full list of information needed during the application here
We’re here to help.
If you’d like advice before applying or have any questions about the programme, please get in touch:
📧 grantsadmin@bavo.org.uk
📞 01656 810400
We know the incredible impact local groups have on communities across Bridgend County Borough. If your organisation is helping people connect, supporting wellbeing, protecting the environment or creating opportunities for local residents, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and help make an even bigger difference in your community.
Join us to celebrate Trustees’ Week 2026!
Whether you’re an experienced trustee or new to the role, join us for an afternoon of networking, learning and all things good governance.
It’s a great opportunity to:
🤝 Meet and connect with fellow trustees
💡 Hear from our guest speakers
📢 Get the latest updates from The National Lottery Community Fund and WCVA
📚 Pick up useful insights and guidance to support you in your trustee role
📅 Thursday 12 November 2026
⏰ 4:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Talbot Community Centre, Kenfig Hill
Come along, connect with others and celebrate the incredible contribution trustees make to our communities.
Book your place today!
Our latest Funding Bulletin is here, packed with a wide range of funding opportunities for voluntary and community organisations. With several application deadlines approaching soon, we encourage you to take a look as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss out.
If you’d prefer to receive the Funding Bulletin directly as an email attachment in future, simply get in touch at development@bavo.org.uk and we’ll be happy to add you to the mailing list.
Looking for the Welsh version? You can read it here
You can also explore all of the latest funding opportunities on our new Funding Bulletin Board on the BAVO website here, or browse them on Padlet here.
The BAVO team will be out of office on Monday, August 31st due to the bank holiday. Please see some numbers of important community resources for help whilst we are away.
Help for Hardship – 0808 2082 138
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
C.A.L.L. – Community Advice and Listening (emergency helpline)
Papyrus – Young Suicide Prevention
DAN 24/7 (drug and alcohol helpline)
MEIC – Helpline for children and young people
Adferiad (mental health charity)
Mental Health Matters Wales (mental health and wellbeing services)
Out of GP hours – T: 0330 123 9180
Samaritans (24/7 emotional support line)
Saneline (out of hours support)
Social Services (office hours) – T: 01656 642279
Social Services (out of hours) – T: 01443 849944
We are pleased to invite BAVO members to a workshop with BAVO CEO, Heidi Bennett and CEO of BCBC, Jake Morgan to discuss the developing ‘Vision and Transformation’ Strategy: Bridgend County Borough 2040. There are limited tickets available, so please book NOW to have your say!
📅 Date: Tuesday 22 September 2026
⏰ Time: 10.00am–1.00pm
📍 Venue: Committee Rooms, Civic Centre, Angel Street, Bridgend
The Council is currently developing a long-term vision and Transformation Strategy which will set out its aims and ambitions for the future of Bridgend County Borough and help shape how the Council works with communities and partners, including third sector, voluntary and community groups to respond to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
We would particularly value the views and experience of BAVO members in helping us to test and strengthen the emerging vision.
We will circulate a draft summary of the developing strategy to attendees ahead of the workshop, to provide some context and enable you to come prepared to share your views.
Come and join us for a peaceful, dementia friendly wellbeing walk at Bryngarw Country Park!
This ranger-led walk follows one of the park’s accessible routes, offering a gentle way to enjoy nature, connect with others and spend more time outdoors in a supportive environment.
The walk is open to anyone affected by dementia, whether you’re living with dementia or supporting someone as a friend, family member or carer, or may have done so in the past.
16/09/26
11:00am – 1:00pm
Bryngarw Country Park
Spread joy at the greatest race ever!
Le Tour De France is heading to South Wales next year, with the worlds top cyclists taking on a gruelling 223km cycle from Welshpool to Cardiff and YOU can be involved as a volunteer Joy Maker.
JOY Makers are the volunteers who will help bring the Tour de France to life! From welcoming and guiding spectators to supporting the safe running of the race, they’ll play a vital role in creating an unforgettable experience when the world’s biggest cycling race comes to Wales.
You don’t need any previous volunteering or cycling experience, full training is provided, and anyone aged 16+ can apply.
Benefits include:
Click the link below to sign up now! Applications close Tuesday, September 1st.
BAVO’s Meet the Funder event is back for 2026!
Looking for funding for your organisation or community project? This is your chance to meet the people who make funding decisions.
Join us for an afternoon of networking, inspiration and practical advice as you meet a wide range of regional and national funders face to face. Ask questions, build valuable connections, discover what funders are really looking for, and gain insights that could strengthen your next funding application.
📅 Wednesday 28 October 2026
📍 West Ward Community Centre, Bridgend
🕛 12:00pm – 4:30pm
✅ Community Facilities Programme
✅ South Wales Police Trust
✅ National Churches Trust
✅ National Lottery
✅Heritage Fund
✅ National Grid
✅ Sport Wales
✅ WCVA
✅ Coalfields Regeneration Trust
More funders will be announced over the coming weeks!
Whether you’re an established charity, voluntary organisation, community group or social enterprise, this is a fantastic opportunity to expand your network, explore new funding opportunities and speak directly with organisations that could help bring your ideas to life.
To book your FREE place or find out more, contact Alison at AlisonMawby@bavo.org.uk.
Spaces are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid missing out.
Free Volunteer Passport Training for Bridgend Volunteers
BAVO is delighted to offer a limited number of FREE places on our Volunteer Passport training programme for volunteers who are currently volunteering with a project or organisation in Bridgend County Borough.
The Volunteer Passport is a Level 1 NOCN Endorsed Programme, designed to give volunteers the essential knowledge and skills they need to volunteer safely, confidently and effectively.
📅 Tuesday 15 September and Tuesday 22 September
🕙 10.00am – 3.00pm
📍 Bridgend Town Centre
Please note that volunteers must attend both training days to complete the programme and receive their accreditation.
Although the course is free of charge, BAVO covers the cost of each participant’s NOCN accreditation licence, as well as staff time to deliver the training and assess the completed workbooks. As places are limited and incur a cost, we kindly ask that you only book if you are able to attend both sessions.
To reserve your place, please email sharonheadon@bavo.org.uk or call Sharon on 01656 810400 by 31 August.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Our latest Funding Bulletin is here, packed with a wide range of funding opportunities for voluntary and community organisations. With several application deadlines approaching soon, we encourage you to take a look as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss out.
If you’d prefer to receive the Funding Bulletin directly as an email attachment in future, simply get in touch at development@bavo.org.uk and we’ll be happy to add you to the mailing list.
Looking for the Welsh version? You can read it here.
You can also explore all of the latest funding opportunities on our new Funding Bulletin Board on the BAVO website here, or browse them on Padlet here.
Community and voluntary organisations can now apply for grants of £500–£1,000 to deliver projects that support people living with dementia and their unpaid carers or family members across Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Delivered in partnership with Interlink RCT, BAVO and Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil (VAMT), the fund aims to support projects that:
To be eligible, organisations must:
Support and advice are available from your local County Voluntary Council (CVC).
Interlink RCT
Email: grants@interlinkrct.org.uk
Phone: 01443 846200
Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil (VAMT)
Email: info@vamt.net
Phone: 01685 353900
BAVO (Bridgend)
Email: development@bavo.org.uk
Phone: 01656 810400
Please complete the application form and submit it by email to grants@interlinkrct.org.uk.
For any questions about the grant, please contact grants@interlinkrct.org.uk.
