Grant Directories

The Asda Foundation aims to transform communities and improve lives by providing independent grants and support to locally relevant community projects throughout the UK. Through the Investing in Spaces and Places Grant the foundation provides grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 towards improving community spaces in local communities across the UK. The group needs to own or lease the land/premises and it must be located within the community that the group is based. There are three options within this grant, groups can apply for one option or a mixture of all three: Building Repairs; Building Improvement/Development; Outdoor Improvement/Development.

The McCarthy Stone Foundation awards one-off grants to grassroots and volunteer-led charities and community organisations, CICs and social enterprises that support the wellbeing of older people, the educational needs of young people and the urban regeneration of communities across the UK. Through the Small Grants Programme, the Foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 for projects that will make a difference to those who need it most in local communities, particularly those recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cumbria Community Foundation exists to benefit disadvantaged people and communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference within their local area. Through the Laidlaw Fund for the Environment, the Foundation provides grants of between £500 and £1,000 for volunteer-led, community, and charitable groups undertaking projects that benefit wildlife habitat protection and education of the natural environment in Carlisle and the surrounding area.

The Cumbria Community Foundation exists to benefit disadvantaged people and communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference within their local area. Through the Fairfield Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, the Foundation provides grants of over £500 for charitable activities for local communities located close to the Fairfield Wind Farm in Pica, Cumbria. In exceptional circumstances a single grant of £10,000 may be awarded in a year and multi-year applications will also be considered.

The Lancashire Environmental Fund's Main Grants programme offers grants of up to £40,000 to not-for-profit organisations, charities, trusts, community groups, parish or community councils or voluntary organisations, for a broad range of projects that, for example, improve community buildings and facilities, create or conserve wildlife habitats or provide better access to waterways or parks. All projects must be within 10 miles of a licensed landfill site and have full public access (minimum requirements are 4 evenings or 2 days every week, 104 days a year)

The Lancashire Environmental Fund's Small Grants programme offer grants of up to £20,000 to not-for-profit organisations, charities, trusts, community groups, parish or community councils or voluntary organisations, for a broad range of projects that, for example, improve community buildings and facilities, create or conserve wildlife habitats or provide better access to waterways or parks. All projects must be within 10 miles of a licensed landfill site and have full public access (minimum requirements are 4 evenings or 2 days every week, 104 days a year)

Artists Project Earth (APE) funds projects that tackle the effects of climate change.  Applications are welcomed from organisations working to prevent the causes of climate change; defend communities and ecosystems against the impacts of climate change; and support and build resilience for communities affected by natural disasters.

The Chestnut Fund is an independent charity, making grants available to encourage and enable community groups to carry out conservation activities. Groups must be part of the BTCV Community Network to qualify. The grants fall into two categories: Start-up grants - these are for groups who have no money when they are first set up and are available to groups in their first year of existence. The grant will enable them to begin practical work and will cover administrative expenses, e.g. postage, publicity, hire of meeting rooms, telephone bills and/or the first year of BTCV Community Network Membership plus Insurance fees. The maximum grant will be £150, and Support grants - these are for groups who have no money for tools, equipment and training. The maximum grant will be £350. Preference will be given to resources selected from BTCV sources. This grant is available to all BTCV Community Network groups, regardless of how long they have been members.

Reaching Communities provide grants to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need, including hard to reach communities. There is a small revenue and a capital scheme and a larger buildings only fund. All projects must address one or more of the following outcomes. People have better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills;  Stronger communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems;  Improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy; and Healthier and more active people and communities.