Grant Directories

The Devon Community Foundation aims to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged people in the community by investing and distributing funds to community-based voluntary groups on behalf of a wide range of donors. Through the Devon on Earth grant scheme the foundation provides grants of between £2,000 and £5,000 to fund activities which reduce environmental damage but also bring communities together. As a result, more people will understand the impact climate change and human activity has on their local community. 

The Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation funds sustainable community projects throughout England, Scotland and Wales by making grants to support charities and community interest companies. The Foundation, has teamed up with Crowdfunder to make £100,000 in funding available. Organisations can apply for up to 50% of their crowdfunding target, up to a maximum of £5,000, to support projects that match one or more of the following themes: the environment and conservation; health and wellbeing; and the prevention or relief of poverty. Projects could include rewilding projects, community gardens, social inclusion and mental health projects, sports projects, community food banks, money management and budgeting skills, and educational projects for communities to reduce their carbon footprint. No deadline given.

The Dorset Community Foundation exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Nature Heals Seed Fund the foundation offers small grants of up to £1,000 for a range of small scale projects/activities that use the natural world and connection with nature to benefit local people or to enhance services and activities for local people. Projects will support local people to interact with the natural world in order to effect positive change and bring tangible improvements to their quality of life.

Sussex Community Foundation (SCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. Through the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 to local community organisations and voluntary groups, including social enterprises, based within a ten-kilometre radius of the site that are undertaking environmental, educational, community and charitable activities.

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 Somerset Community Foundation was established in 2002. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will address the needs of Somerset's most vulnerable people and communities by tackling disadvantage, transforming people's lives and strengthening local communities. Through the Hinkley Point C Community Fund Small Grants Programme the foundation awards grants of up to £10,000 or in exceptional circumstances up to £20,000 over 3 years. The current round of funding can support core costs.

The Somerset Community Foundation was established in 2002. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will address the needs of Somerset's most vulnerable people and communities by tackling disadvantage, transforming people's lives and strengthening local communities. Through the Hinkley Point C Open Grants Programme for projects over £50,000 the foundation provides funding to VCSE organisations with projects costing more than £50,000 that will mitigate the impacts of Hinkley Point C or access its opportunities.

The Somerset Community Foundation was established in 2002. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will address the needs of Somerset's most vulnerable people and communities by tackling disadvantage, transforming people's lives and strengthening local communities. Through the Hinkley Point C Open Grants Programme for projects of under £50,000 the foundation provides funding to VCSE organisations with projects costing less than £50,000 that will mitigate the impacts of Hinkley Point C or access its opportunities.

The Ocado Foundation is the charitable arm of Ocado Group, working for the benefit of communities across the UK. Through the Ocado Foundation for Good programme, the Foundation provides grants of up to £1,000 to charities, community organisations, community interest companies, academic institutions, and local authorities for community projects which focus their efforts on three core areas: skills for the future, natural resources and responsible sourcing. 

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation is a grant making foundation that give grants to small and medium sized local organisations in the UK with a demonstrable track record of success working to address local issues in communities of extreme urban deprivation and deprived rural districts. Through the small grants programme the foundation provides funding of between £2,000 and £10,000 to charitable organisations with an income of less than £250,000 for projects that focus on Community Support. Examples of the kind of projects that can be funded include: CommunityServices; CommunityCentres; Alternative Education; Training, mentoring, employment and volunteering opportunities; Youth; Counselling; Family Support Services; Substance Misuse.

The Linnean Society of London offers grants for youth-led projects in the UK, aiming to increase access to local natural spaces and encourage a deeper appreciation and understanding of nature. ​Some examples of possible proposals could be: running a school festival about nature; painting community murals showcasing biodiversity in the area; building a community garden; creating a nature walk; hiring a speaker to come and talk about local foraging.

The Herefordshire Community Foundation exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the CPRE programme the foundation provides funding to organisations working to preserve and support the tranquillity of Herefordshire’s countryside.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,700 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, and raises money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. Through the Community Gardens Award programme the scheme grants awards to help community gardening projects.

Voluntary or community organisations in the Severn Trent Water region are eligible to apply to the £10 million Severn Trent Community Fund for funding to increase community wellbeing.  This includes support for projects that help people to lead a healthier life and gain new skills; help to create better places to live in and use; and Projects that will help look after the natural environment, give people greater access to that environment or help look after water.

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities throughout the UK. The Foundation does this by funding the charitable work of organisations that are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society.  Through the Environment programme the Foundation wants to support organisations that can move, engage and inform people, and connect with the bigger picture of policymaking, social justice, or quality of life.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by the National Lottery to support local communities. The Partnerships funding programme provides grants of over £20,000 for projects to increase collaborative working between organisations and can support many different types of partnership, including cross-sector partnerships, local place-based collaboration, local and national organisations working together around a theme. Projects must meet one of the following funding priorities: bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities; improve the places and spaces that matter to communities; enable more people to fulfil their potential by working to address issues at the earliest possible stage.

The Prince's Countryside Fund gives grants to projects that have a positive impact upon rural areas. The Rural Four – Catalyst, collaborate, create and champion grant programme aims to: Reinvigorate community networks by assisting with rebuilding community assets; Improve the health and well-being of 200 socially isolated people through providing access to improved community assets and a network of support; Create a lasting legacy of support and community spirit in the areas where support is provided. The programme will support up to 10 rural communities a year with funding of up to £25,000

Persimmon Homes Charity Foundation is providing grant funding of up to £1000 to registered charities, clubs, schools and other organisations which have already raised vital funds themselves towards projects to enhance their local community.  The type of projects supported to date have included support for foodbanks; projects within schools; and sports projects; etc.

Ibstock Enovert Trust (formerly Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust) is an Environmental body which supports community and environmental projects. The Trust awards grants under the terms of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF), providing funding to a broad range of projects that have a positive impact on local communities. The Trust is committed to supporting community and environmental projects across the UK. These include improving community halls, the creation of new sports facilities, and restoring green spaces. Your application will be more effective if you can outline who will be using your facility, how many members of the community will frequent it, and if you can demonstrate a real need for it in the local area.

Enovert Community Trust (formerly Cory Environmental Trust in Britain) is an Environmental body which supports community and environmental projects. The Trust awards grants under the terms of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF), providing funding to a broad range of projects that have a positive impact on local communities. The Trust is committed to supporting community and environmental projects across the UK. These include improving community halls, the creation of new play areas and skate parks, and restoring green spaces. Fundraising by applicants is looked upon favourably by the Trustees. Applicants will need to secure a 10% third party contribution which will be payable to Enovert Limited prior to the project commencing.

National Aquarium Ltd is a charity which gives small grants to organisations or individuals that operate projects to further the goals of the National Marine Aquarium. The projects may be science based, research based, conservation focussed, educational or community events; but could equally be based around arts or drama as long as they make a contribution to raising awareness of the marine environment. All projects should fit with the stated aim of the charity, driving Marine Conservation through Engagement.  Grants awarded so far have been between £1,200 and £5,000 and future awards are likely to be of similar amounts.

Tesco Stronger Starts programme supports thousands of schools and  local community projects across the UK, helping to fight holiday hunger, tackle mental health, support young people, host community events and much more. The scheme has supported over 40,000 community groups with more than £90 million in grants. Tesco Community Grants is open to charities and community organisations to apply for a grant of up to £1,500. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK.

The Woodland Trust has free tree packs to give away to schools, community and youth groups. The free tree packs are available for planting on one publicly accessible site. Packs will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. All applicants need to do is find a suitable site and supply the volunteer planters and tree protection. Tree packs for schools and communities offer the perfect opportunity to bring people together to plant trees - encouraging local wildlife, protecting our landscape against tree disease and creating beautiful wooded areas that people can enjoy for years to come.

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.

Grants are available to support projects that increase the understanding and appreciation, particularly among young people, of the environmental, social, and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests and of the link between the tree and everyday wood products. Eligible project costs include hire of people, for example, supply teachers, advice, training hire or purchase of materials, machinery or services and paying for printing and publicity for projects. There is also a special grant for development work. Only Forest Education Initiative Cluster Groups are eligible to apply.

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and supports individuals who have their social ventures firmly rooted in delivering positive social change. It operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from awards of funding to ongoing advice, networking and practical support. UnLtd resource community entrepreneurs to start-up; support those with more established social ventures to scale up; and are committed to developing an eco-system of support to make it easier for those who need help to find it. UnLtd offers a number of programmes with varying levels of funding and support. Please refer to the funder's website for details.

The Quartet Community Foundation is an independent charity that supports small, community-based charities and voluntary groups in the West of England (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire) whose work benefits local people. The Foundation gives grants to a broad range of causes and welcome applications from both new and established groups. The Foundation runs its own grants programme called the Express Programme which awards grants of up to £5,000. The Foundation also manages a range of other grants programmes with their own priorities, criteria and closing dates.

Community Foundations support community and voluntary sector activity through grants to local groups and organisations. There are 48 Community Foundations of different sizes within the UK. Although all Community Foundations operate according to common criteria, they vary in terms of size and nature of grants available. Some Community Foundations will fund both organisations and individuals whilst other foundations will only fund organisations. Each community foundation covers a specific geographic area and will not normally be able to support work outside its area.