Are you looking to take action to improve the environment and help nature to recover? There are a number of grant schemes open to community groups, schools and other organisations.
UK Community Tree Planting Grants
The International Tree Foundation provides financial support for community tree planting projects, with expert consultation and advice for projects that need it.
Schools, community groups and non-governmental organisations can apply.
Funding available
Small scale: A maximum of £1,000 is available for projects of up to one year in duration. This could be small community woodland, orchards, hedging projects etc.
Larger scale: Projects to range from 1,000 – 10,000 trees, with a maximum price equivalent to £1.50 per tree (inclusive of tree protection). Most suitable for community woodland or hedging projects.
The Tree – Branching Out Fund
The Tree Council supports schools, community groups and Tree Warden Networks to plant trees, hedges and orchards. Grants can be between £200 and £2,000. All projects must have strong community involvement, and ideally involve children and/or young people. The grant is open to the whole of the UK.
Currently closed for applications but expected to re-open in Summer 2023.
Free trees for schools and communities
The Woodland Trust wants to make sure everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. It’s giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities groups.
Currently available for applications – expected to close in August 2023.
Severn Trent Water funds:
- Projects that will help look after the natural environment, give people greater access to that environment or look after water
- Projects that create better places to live in and use
- Projects that help people to lead a healthier life and gain new skills
How much you can apply for
There are three sizes of grant:
- £2,000 to £10,000
- £10,001 to £75,000
- £75,001 to £200,000
Localgiving
With a simple 20-minute application process for a £500 grant and an outcome within six weeks, the Magic Little Grants fund reduces the work required for grass-roots organisations to access the funding they need to launch or strengthen their services.
Organisations must have an annual income of under £250,000 to apply. Schools/Friends of Schools groups can apply, if they are a registered charity.
Applications are now open until 31 October 2023.
Applications must focus on support to improve mental health. Specifically highlighted are:
- Enabling participation in physical activity
- Improving biodiversity and responding to the climate emergency
- Improving green spaces and increasing access to the outdoors
NatureSave Trust
Provides grants of between £500 to £5,000 to help charities, community groups and social enterprises. Schools are not eligible. Applications open from across the UK.
Applications must fit funding ‘window’ themes, which change annually.
The Big Bike Revival
Cycling UK is offering grants of up to £2,000 for voluntary and community cycle groups and other not-for-profit organisations across England to deliver projects and activities that achieve the following objectives:
- Encourage people who don't cycle to cycle.
- Encourage people to cycle more often.
- Increase short cycling trips.
- Improve the perception of cycling safety.
- Improve people's confidence to cycle.
Currently available for applications – expected to close on 31 July 2023.