Grant Directories

A total of £1 million is available to support community groups and schools in deprived areas of the UK to protect and restore nature in their local area. The Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund is a crowdfunding initiative that will give £2 for every £1 raised by each project. A wide range of nature projects can be supported. This can include restoring and protecting local habitats, promoting pro-environmental behaviours at the community level and connecting local communities to nature and each other. Applications can be made at any time until all funding has been allocated.

Rewilding Britain's Challenge Fund offers £100,000 yearly for rewilding projects in England, Scotland and Wales. The fund supports initiatives aimed at restoring natural woodland and habitats and promoting the benefits of rewilding to communities and biodiversity. The fund supports innovative projects that have potential for upscaling rewilding efforts.

The Swire Charitable Trust makes grants to charities supporting some of the UK’s most vulnerable people to overcome barriers and realise their potential, and to charities who are protecting the  environment and heritage.

Through the National Forest Small Grants Scheme funding is available to support projects that contribute to the aims and objectives of the National Forest. Those who operate within the Forest area can apply for grants to support a range of projects and activities.

Trees for Climate is a multi-million pound woodland creation programme. Trees for Climate is delivered by the 13 Community Forests across England, who have extensive experience in supporting landowners to establish and manage woodlands. Trees for Climate grant funding can cover the costs of woodland creation, fencing, paths and other infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance for up to 15 years. Design, planning and planting support from professional woodland advisors is also available.

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 Pappagallino Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £10,000 to organisations in Cumbria to improve health and wellbeing by addressing social and rural isolation or projects that protect the environment, as well as support the farming and rural community. Priority will be given to projects that: make long-term, strategic investment in people or the organisation; offer inclusive activities and reduce isolation; support older people; leverage additional funds

England Woodland Creation Offer is one of a suite of Forestry Commission initiatives to support woodland creation and tree planting across England. Landowners, land managers and public bodies can apply to the England Woodland Creation Offer for support to create new woodland, including through natural colonisation, on areas as small as 1 hectare. The grant will cover standard capital costs for tree planting (up to a per hectare cap), as well as rewarding farmers and landowners for providing public and/or wider environmental benefits.

The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund (PWCF) is a grant making organisation which aims to transform lives and build sustainable communities across the UK by funding a wide range of good causes within their core funding themes: Heritage & Conservation, Education, Health & Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, Environment and Countryside. Through the Small Grants Programme, the PWCF will award grants of up to £5,000 to not-for-profit organisations with an income of up to £1 million. The average award is £1,500. Priority will be given to organisations of which HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron. Applications can be made at any time and will be considered by the Small Grant committee at their quarterly meetings.

The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund is a grant making organisation which aims to transform lives and build sustainable communities across the UK by funding a wide range of good causes within their core funding themes: Heritage & Conservation, Education, Health & Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, Environment and Countryside. The Major Grants Programme will award grants of over £5,000 to not-for-profit organisations. Organisations can apply for major grants by invitation only.

The Lake District Foundation supports conservation, environmental and cultural heritage projects in the Lake District by distributing funds on behalf of a wide range of donors. Small & medium size enterprises, individuals, small charities and communities in Cumbria can apply for funding from the Real Hedge Fund for the protection and creation of hedgerows. Funding will be awarded to those who needs are the greatest, and where environmental value can be evidenced. The Fund aims to plaint 4,000 metres of native hedgerows in the Lake District.

The Lake District Foundation supports conservation, environmental and cultural heritage projects in the Lake District by distributing funds on behalf of a wide range of donors. Through Low Carbon Lake District Grants, funding of up to £20,000 is available to community groups and small and medium sized businesses from a range of sectors (primary agriculture and fishing are excluded) to help tackle climate change in the Lake District National Park. A total of £1 million in funding is available for projects such as: low carbon energy generation; energy efficiency projects; sustainable transport such as vehicle charging points; AI and smart technology, such as smart food waste bins; and behaviour change and engagement.

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 Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, the Foundation provides grants of over £500 for not for profit or charitable activities for local communities located close to the Tallentire Wind Farm which include the parishes of Bridekirk, Blindcrake, Gilcrux, and Plumbland.

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 High Pow Community Fund, the Foundation provides grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 for charitable activities for communities located close to the High Pow Wind Farm in Cumbria.

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 Broughton Moor Wind Farm Fund, the Foundation provides grants of between £500 to £1,000 to support local communities located in the parish of Broughton Moor.

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 Beck Burn Wind Farm Community Fund, the Foundation provides grants of between £1,000 and £20,000 to support projects which will enhance the health and wellbeing of local communities located close to the Beck Burn Wind Farm, which might include improvements to community facilities, biodiversity and habitat conservation, and projects involving energy conservation and increased use of renewables

The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust was established in for the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare and environmental protection or improvement.   Through the Environment programme the Trust aims to protect the countryside, species and habitats as well as well as the UKs heritage and rural crafts and skills.

The Hadfield Trust gives grants to charitable organisations in Cumbria. Trustees are keen to support community projects that meet the needs of the Cumbrian community and make a real difference to the quality of life of those living in the County. Trustees are particularly interested in projects that address social needs; youth and employment; help for older people; the arts and the environment. It is the intention of the Trustees that awards should benefit as many residents as possible, in particular those who are disadvantaged.

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.

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

Grants of up to £200,000 are available from the National Grid to help reduce the visual impact of high voltage power lines in the 30 Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB’s) and the National Parks.  The funding can be used to reducing the visual impact at public viewpoints through localised tree planting; gapping up and/or changes in management of hedgerows or other field boundaries; changes to trails, cyclepaths, footpaths, riding routes or other access routes;  and enhancing landscape around pylons, transmission lines and substations through enhance biodiversity by improved management of existing habitats or by creation or restoration of habitats.

The Lancashire Environmental Fund's Green Grants programme offer grants of up to £1,000 to not-for-profit organisations, charities, trusts, community groups, parish or community councils or voluntary organisations, for small stand alone projects. Funded projects might include: Energy efficiency measures at community facilities such as insulation, double glazing, water saving, low energy lighting etc; wildflower, tree and bulb planting or community orchards and gardens (but not allotments); pond creation and planting schemes; improvements to access to public parks and gardens; benches and seating; Community Arts with an environmental theme and Health Walk waymarking.

IGas Energy Plc, one of the UK's leading onshore hydrocarbon producers awards grants to help local communities located close to the oil and gas production and exploration sites where they operate. The fund covers specific areas of Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Cheshire, Manchester and Scotland.  Applicants will need to demonstrate need for their project, real community benefits and value for money. Projects funded in the past range from a primary school in West Sussex that engaged pupils to help elderly neighbours with their computers, to a project in the north of Scotland training unemployed people in building skills to support community groups and organisations. Money has also been allocated to several rural villages to buy potentially life-saving defibrillators.

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.

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 John Ellerman Foundation's People and Planet funding scheme provides grants to charities that work to promote a healthier environment for both people and nature.  The scheme prioritises projects that enhance ocean health through stronger marine protected areas and on land and in freshwater through sustainable management, habitat restoration, and landscape-scale conservation.  The scheme also aims to address the impact of human activities like climate change and pollution on air, land, and water.