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.

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 Winscales Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants for charitable activities for communities located close to the Winscales Moor Wind Farm. Funding is available for community activities that are  community-related; environmental; educational; community-related.

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 the Small Grants Fund, grants of up to £1,000 are available to local community and volunteer-led groups and organisations for small scale conservation projects which make a difference to local communities.

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 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 Hellrigg Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, the Foundation provides grants of over £500 for charitable activities that are environmental, community or educational related for communities located close to the Hellrigg 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 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 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 English Lakes Hotels Sustainability Fund, the Foundation provides grants of up to £10,000 for charitable not-for-profit groups working hard to protect and promote the landscape, environment and heritage through conservation and improvement of the physical and natural environment in Windermere, Ambleside, Morecambe and Lancaster.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Staffordshire Community Foundation (SCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Staffordshire's most vulnerable people and communities. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare. Applications must demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, the applicant organisation or project will be user led and make a real difference to people within the community. SCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital purchases e.g. equipment, maintenance or improvement of community buildings, or revenue costs such as venue hire, promotional costs, start-up expenses, activities or training. Applications for core costs will be considered.

Cheshire Community Foundation (CCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to support organisations that have a strong connection to the communities they want to serve, who can demonstrate that they have consulted with the people who are going to benefit from the project and where it can be clearly demonstrated at the end of the funding period what difference the grant has made to the lives of people in Cheshire. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare. CCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs and will fund projects that encourage new ideas or organisations that are setting up in response to an identified need.

The PH Holt Foundation is an independent grant-maker supporting local communities, education, the arts, heritage and environment on Merseyside. Funding is available to registered charities which aim to make Merseyside a better place to live; there is a particular interest in smaller grass roots organisations that find it difficult to attract funds. The foundation has the following priority themes: Creating opportunities for people to contribute to their local community; Enabling people to overcome barriers and take control over their lives; Widening access to education for people of all ages; Increasing engagement in the arts for marginalised or excluded groups; Encouraging care of the natural and built environment. Grants are normally for one year and the majority are below £10,000.

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.

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.