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.

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.

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.

Sea Changers is a UK charity that aims to provide grants of up to £500 to UK based, marine conservation charities and not for profit organisations. The projects funded will achieve one or more of the following objectives: To address the root causes of marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK; To prevent or reduce negative impacts on UK coastal and marine environments and / or species; To add to the body of knowledge about marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK. Sea-Changers is particularly interested in supporting grassroots projects which galvanise community action and in projects which increase the number of people taking action for marine conservation.  

The Two Ridings 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 Rusholme Wind Farm Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £4,000 to local community and charitable projects, for example: Projects that aim to reduce carbon emissions; Projects that encourage sustainable energy use; Energy efficient projects; General environmental projects; Community benefit and enhancement projects.

One Community is the Community Foundation for the people of Kirklees and 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 Bright Green Community Trust Fund 2020 the foundation provides grants of up to £10,000 which can be used to fund or part-fund a project that will make a significant impact in the Holme Valley. For example, this could be for solar panels, or car/bike charging points. All applications must reduce carbon emissions.

South Yorkshire's 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 Tween Bridge Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund the foundation provides grants of between £500 and £7,500 to community groups close to the Tween Bridge Wind Farm with projects that benefit residents of: Thorne and Moorends; parts of Hatfield, Hatfield Woodhouse, Sandtoft, Fosterhouses, Stainforth, Ealand, Fishlake, Crowle and Belton and other settlements within the defined 3-mile radius of the wind farm.

South Yorkshire's 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 Blackstone Edge Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund the foundation provides grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 to projects and initiatives, with the following priorities: Advancement of education, culture or science; Encouraging public participation in a sport involving physical skill and exertion; The promotion of civic responsibility, volunteering, citizenship or community development; Environmental protection or improvement Bio-diversity and habitat conservation; Energy conservation and sustainable transport options

South Yorkshire's 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 Small Grants Programme the foundation provides grants of up to £1000 for one off projects like equipment or events to support small, developing or less well-resourced community groups across South Yorkshire.

Nottinghamshire 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 Bramley Fund the foundation provides grants to support communities in Nottingham City and the Nottinghamshire County by making grants available to grow apple trees in gardens, allotments and green spaces. Community groups and local charities can apply for a grant to plant up to 4 trees in their garden. 

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 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 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.

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 H&M Conscious Foundation Global Change Awards fund early stage ideas that present new environmentally friendly approaches that reinvent the fashion industry. This means changing the way garments are designed and produced, shipped, bought, used and recycled. The competition has three categories: circular business models, circular materials and circular processes. Global Change Award is open for anyone over 18 to apply. It is also open for institutions, organisations and social businesses. Five winners, will share a €1 million grant and get access to an innovation accelerator provided by H&M Foundation, Accenture and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

Leeds Community Foundation (LCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation aims to support Leeds and Bradford-based groups and organisations that encourage active participation from volunteers and usually have low levels of reserves. LCF prioritises applications from groups that benefit people living in economically or socially deprived areas of Leeds and Bradford, and/or those supporting vulnerable groups. Priority will be given to projects that are run by local people, for local people; are relevant to local needs and have a direct impact on the community; support people living in disadvantaged communities and help people who are most vulnerable; can demonstrate that there is a need for the project or activity and help people to help themselves.

Tesco Community Grants support local projects that benefit children, families, and communities, with a focus on food security, education, and play. Eligible applicants include schools, registered charities, and non-profit organisations. Projects that can apply for funding include breakfast clubs, food-growing areas, and after-school clubs, as well as community-based initiatives like food banks and healthy eating programs. Voting for these projects occurs through Tesco's blue token system in stores, with the charity Groundwork UK administering the funds.

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 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.