The appointment marks a dedicated partnership, positioning the Foundation to expand its grant-making and community support across the borough.
For five years, Heart of England Community Foundation has worked with Solihull Council to turn strategic priorities into community-led funding.
The appointment, following an open market engagement exercise, recognises the Foundation’s deep understanding of Solihull’s communities and its proven ability to translate complex funding programmes into practical support for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. It also reflects a shared conviction that funding is only valuable when it reaches communities with genuine power to shape their own futures.
The partnership encompasses a diverse range of funding initiatives shaped by evolving local need. During the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation distributed £200,000 through the Solihull Winter Wellbeing and Recovery Fund, enabling rapid support to community organisations responding to food poverty, isolation and health crises. As the sector entered a period of sustained pressure, the Council commissioned the Solihull Voluntary Sector Resilience Fund, allocating £50,600 to support organisational sustainability and core costs.
More recently, the Foundation was selected to administer the Solihull Fairer Futures Fund, part of a £25.5 million health innovation programme led by Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System. Working within Solihull’s health and wellbeing priorities, the Foundation has supported over 40 community-led projects addressing health inequality, mental health prevention and service integration across the borough.
Beyond grant distribution, the Foundation has managed the physical regeneration of Solihull’s community infrastructure. The Solihull Community Buildings Fund, delivered via the Foundation, allocated just over £250,000 to upgrade nine community spaces including youth centres, community halls and sporting facilities. These improvements, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, are expected to benefit over 20,000 residents, from Crabtree Hall to Meriden Adventure Playground.
The Foundation has also championed support for Solihull’s most marginalised residents. The Together in Solihull Fund supported refugee and migrant community integration projects during Refugee Week 2023.
Currently, the Foundation is delivering the Pride in Place Fund, £100,000 supported by the Government’s Pride in Place Programme, which is a long-term investment aimed at strengthening community identity, improving local environments, and boosting civic participation.
Cllr Qais, Cabinet Member for Communities at Solihull Council said:
“The awarding of this contract reflects both our confidence and trust that Heart of England will support us to empower our local communities and deliver an exceptional level of service. Based on the number of years and significant programmes we have worked on together a deep level of understanding has developed, a strategic partnership has been formed and we are very much looking forward to continuing our collaboration to deliver strong, measurable outcomes.”
Tina Costello OBE, Chief Executive of Heart of England Community Foundation, said:
“This appointment is deeply meaningful to us. It reflects not just five years of working well together, but the shared conviction that funding is only valuable when it reaches communities with genuine power to shape their own futures. We have been privileged to support Solihull through crisis, resilience and growth. We look forward to deepening this partnership in the years ahead, ensuring that the communities of Solihull have access to the funding, expertise and relationships they need to thrive.”
The six funding initiatives outlined below demonstrate the Foundation’s adaptive approach to grant-making. Rather than a fixed programme, the partnership has responded to emerging needs, from acute pandemic response to longer-term investment in sector resilience and community infrastructure. This flexibility, combined with a commitment to accessibility and community voice, defines the working relationship between the Foundation and Council.
Some of the partnerships delivery so far includes:
- Solihull Winter Wellbeing and Recovery Fund (2020-2021): £200,000 in emergency support during COVID-19
- Solihull Voluntary Sector Resilience Fund (2023): £50,600 supporting organisational sustainability
- Solihull Fairer Futures Fund (2023-present): Health innovation funding, part of £25.5m regional programme
- Solihull Community Buildings Fund: £258,000 invested in improving nine community facilities, benefiting 20,000+ residents
- Together in Solihull Fund: £104, 250 supporting refugee and migrant community integration projects
Community organisations and voluntary sector leaders in Solihull looking to access funding or learn more about the partnership can visit the Heart of England Community Foundation website at heartofenglandcf.org, where current Solihull funding opportunities are listed, or contact the Foundation directly on 024 7780 0520 or info@heartofenglandcf.co.uk. For enquiries from Solihull Council, contact the Communities Team communitiesteam@solihull.gov.uk
The Foundation welcomes conversations with organisations in the early stages of developing projects, and encourages pre-application engagement before submitting formal bids. More information about upcoming funding rounds and the Council’s strategic priorities is available through the Heart of England Community Foundation website.