Grant Directories

Established by the Scottish Government, the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a capital fund designed to help support projects that will deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife, and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss due to climate change.

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.

Foundation Scotland 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 Ventient Energy Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund the foundation provides grants in excess of £501 to support charitable activity that will sustain and develop the life of the community and ensure that the area is an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit. It does this by making grants to support the costs of relevant projects, services, and facilities. 

Foundation Scotland 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 Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £30,000 to support charitable activity that addresses at least three of the following criteria: contribute to a climate smarter world with sustainability at its core; invest in community facilities and activities that are fit for the future and are environmentally sustainable, especially community spaces and transport; support creative solutions; ensure a legacy and lasting impact, which clearly brings benefit to the local community.

Foundation Scotland 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 RWE Rosehall Wind Farm Community Fund (Highlands) the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to invest in activities and initiatives that help build a vibrant local economy, support and encourage thriving communities and make the area an attractive place to live, work and visit for people of all ages. 

Foundation Scotland 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 NorthConnect Legacy Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £1,500 and aims to:  provide sustainable support to the communities and stakeholders living, working and playing in the vicinity of the NorthConnect infrastructure including: the converter station, HVAC and HVDC cabling both on and offshore; support sustainable energy use and production; support sustainability, energy, environment, health and wellbeing education; increase participation in and access to contemporary culture, events and recreational activities in an environmentally sensitive manner; preserve and enhance the natural environment for residents and visitors to the area.

Foundation Scotland 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 Crown Estate Scotland Community Capacity Grants Programme the foundation provides grants of up to £50,000 to provide early stage financial support for community enterprise projects that contribute to local regeneration and sustainable development and, ultimately, help create great places to live, work and visit. Crown Estate Scotland’s Community Capacity Grants Programme is looking for local projects with demonstrable community support that will help achieve the following objectives: Contribute to the regeneration of places through improvements to buildings or community spaces, making these places more attractive, accessible, and beneficial to the community; Create self-sustaining community enterprises that will promote sustainable development through the provision of local ...

Foundation Scotland 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 Carcant Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £1,500 to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents.
Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

Foundation Scotland 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 Cairnryan Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £10,000 to support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Cairnryan community. Grants can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

Foundation Scotland 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 Blackridge Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 to support charitable activities that: Enhance the quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Grants may support a wide range of costs, such as equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

The People's Postcode Trust is a grant-giving body funded by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery. The small grants scheme distributes funds to small organisations, community groups and registered charities in Scotland, through grants ranging from £500 - £20,000. The Trust funds projects that: Improve mental wellbeing; Enable community participation in the arts; Support marginalised groups and promote equality; Improve biodiversity & green spaces; Enable participation in physical activity; Respond to the climate emergency & promote sustainability; Increase community access to outdoor space.

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 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.

The Green Infrastructure Fund is primarily a capital fund aimed at improvements to green infrastructure. The aim is to deliver a minimum of 15 substantial projects across Scotland that improve or create at least 140 hectares of urban green infrastructure by 2023. A principle aim of the Green Infrastructure Fund is to increase participation in greenspace. Community engagement is therefore a key component. Applicants must demonstrate how they have engaged the local community during the development of the application and how they will continue to do so during delivery of the project and beyond.

The Conservation Area Regeneration scheme (CARS) is a funding programme from Historic Environment Scotland that provides financial help for Conservation Area based regeneration and conservation initiatives. Funding is available to local authorities, national park authorities and community groups over a five year period to support the various elements of setting up a Conservation Area Regeneration scheme including: a repairs programme for priority projects; community engagement through training opportunities in traditional skills and through education programmes; training opportunities for traditional craftspeople; administration costs, including for the appointment of a dedicated project officer and support staff as required.

The Stalled Spaces programme aims to provide funding for community groups and organisations to develop temporary projects on vacant and under-utilised open spaces in Glasgow. Funding of between £1,000 and £4,500 is available for projects that highlight plans for community engagement and use a site in one of the following categories: Land earmarked for development but stalled; Registered vacant and derelict land; Under utilised open space. Information on ownership must be available and permission to use the site must either be agreed upon or under discussion

The Pebble Trust is a Scottish charity established in 2014 with a vision to create a more sustainable, equal and low-carbon society. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to charities, community groups, businesses and individuals with projects that promote more sustainable lifestyles; in particular through environmental protection or improvement; community developmenand self-reliance; and through the advancement of education and science, in particular carrying out research and education relating to the technical and social aspects of sustainable lifestyles.

The Edinburgh Airport Community Board provides a total of £140,000 a year of funding for projects which clearly benefit people in the communities around the airport. Projects are supported in the following areas: Sport, health and wellbeing; Environment – including biodiversity, wildlife and conservation management, the reduction of the carbon footprint of schools, community buildings and organisations; Education – this should not be a replacement for education authority funding; Community - projects which fall outside mainstream local or Scottish government service delivery, but which clearly benefit people in the communities around the airport. Schemes which demonstrate opportunities for social enterprising to allow an organisation or charity to become self-sufficient or fund other improvements are encouraged

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 Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) is a Scottish Government programme, managed and developed by Keep Scotland Beautiful. Grants of up to £150,000 are available through the Climate Challenge Fund for community-led organisations to run one-year projects that reduce local carbon emissions, improve their local areas and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. The CCF has supported projects involving energy efficiency improvements to community owned buildings, energy efficiency advice, lower carbon travel options, community growing initiatives and schemes to tackle waste. Feasibility studies and community consultations directly related to the Fund outcomes are also eligible for funding.

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.

Action Earth programme in Scotland empowers people to take action and improve their local environment through volunteering. Supported by Scottish Natural Heritage, any group of volunteers can apply for Action Earth grants of between £50-250 to run environmental activities in Scotland’s green spaces. This could include creating or improving wildflower meadows, ponds, woodlands or community gardens. Local Nature Reserve grants of up to £500 are also available for volunteer activities taking place on Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) such as wildlife recording or protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

The Heathrow Community Fund is part of an independently run grant-making charity LHR Airport Communities Trust which makes donations to community projects and schools local to the airport. The aim of the Fund is to help them create significant and positive social change.

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.