Grant Directories

The Clean Growth Fund (CGF) invests in technology businesses that are driving the transition to net zero through developing disruptive products and services. The clean growth sector includes innovations that can improve the resource efficiency of industry and commerce, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, pollution or other adverse environmental impacts and also deliver substantial financial returns.  CGF will invest across the technology spectrum, including hardware, software, process systems, materials, deep tech and business model innovations, capable of driving real and rapid change on a global scale.

The Forest for Cornwall Community Fund aims to support community-based projects that help to increase the canopy cover in Cornwall. Funding of up to £5,000 is available to support the following types of activities: Planting individual trees, copses and woodlands within amenity greenspace/ improved grassland with public access; Conversion or restoration of amenity greenspace/ improved grassland to community orchard; Hedgerow planting and individual tree planting in hedgerows; Tree nurseries.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Through the Woodland Carbon Guarantee Scheme Defra is working with the Forestry Commission to encourage farmers and landowners to plant more trees and create new woodland in return for payments as those trees grow. Successful participants will be offered the option to sell Woodland Carbon Units to the government over 35 years at a guaranteed price set by auction

The Climate Action Fund will support communities across the UK to take action on climate change. These communities will demonstrate what is possible when people take the lead in tackling climate change. With National Lottery funding, they will work together, share their learning and be active participants in a broader movement of change.

The Ernest Cook Trust is an educational charity who aim to help the nation better understand the environment. The Apprenticeships and Scholarships programme provides funding to organisations that offer work-based training and education to young people enabling them to learn skills and fulfil their potential. Apprenticeship and scholarship programmes should have an emphasis on environmental engagement for example education about the land, food production, climate change, engineering technology, renewable energy, understanding nature and biodiversity. Grants of between £500 and £10,000 per student per year are available.

The Ernest Cook Trust is an educational charity who aim to help the nation better understand the environment. The Outdoor Learning Officer Grant programme will provide funding of up to £15,000 per year (estimated as 50% of a full time salary) to charities and non-profit organisations that want to employ learning officers/outdoor educators who can: encourage others to create deep lasting connections with the natural environment; Engage people to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature; Educate communities; Enable society to understand the damaging effects of activities that harm the environment; Extend participation to hard to reach groups; Embed an understanding of environmental issues and promote sustainable behaviour.

Localgiving has teamed up with the Postcode Community Trust to provide the Magic Little Grants programme. The fund provides small charities and community groups with grants of £500 for projects that meet either of the following themes: Overcoming barriers to participation in physical activities in creative ways; Increasing social cohesion through developing access to sports and other recreational activities. 

Through the Sustainable Future Programme, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) aims to support work that develops and promotes sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to the current consumerist and growth-based paradigm. Funded projects will focus on: Better economics that reflect the true costs and risks of resource depletion, climate change and other environmental problems: Campaigns, initiatives and work that promote alternatives to consumerism: Campaigns and movements that give a voice to young activists and marginalised groups on issues of economic and environmental justice.

The Waterloo Foundation is an independent grant making charity that supports initiatives aimed at reducing man-made climate change and increasing the health of the marine environment, both in the UK and worldwide. Their objective is to help mitigate the damaging effects that humans are causing and contribute to a positive change both now and in the future. Under the Environment Fund, The Waterloo Foundation has two main themes: Forests and Marine. In addition to the forest and marine programmes The Waterloo Foundation may occasionally support water and energy projects. 

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy's mission is to encourage the greater use of local sustainable energy to address climate change, alleviate poverty and improve quality of life worldwide. Award categories vary from year to year. Previous categories have included: Energy business award - for the company that has made local renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services more accessible. Local authority award - for councils that have undertaken effective initiatives and programmes to improve energy efficiency, increased the supply of local renewable energy (heat and electricity), and also promoted the wider use of sustainable energy through local planning and policies. And the Charity award - open to not-for-profit organisations and charities that have carried out local projects to increase energy efficiency and cut energy consumption.