Heritage Lottery Fund – Landscapes, Parks and Nature

The fund offers a range of grant funding programmes to support all kinds of heritage projects that make a lasting impact for heritage, people and communities, for example projects that seek to conserve and enhance threatened habitats such as wetlands. Grants vary from £3000 – 5,000,000+.


Fundraising

There are numerous ways that communities can raise funds from small events which can be labour intensive but can turn around money quickly, for example lotteries, raffles, fairs, street parties, bazaars, afternoon teas, car boots, street fairs, fetes and sponsored events (swims, walks, pub crawls, etc). Large events can be complex to organise but can […]


Countryside Productivity Scheme

The Countryside Productivity Scheme provides funding for projects in England which improve productivity in the farming and forestry sectors, including those with a water resource management focus, and help create jobs and growth in the rural economy.


Reaching Communities Fund

This Big Lottery Fund covers equipment costs, building and engineering works, purchase of land and equipment and legal fees. Community groups must apply for the funds, which are a minimum of £10,000. This fund does not cover routine repairs, maintenance or general improvement to public areas.


Community Foundation

This needs to be led by the local community and aims to benefit the whole community. The grant size is variable but is likely to be less than £10,000.


Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI)

This is a loan granting mechanism. Community Development Finance Institutions provide loans where banks have refused credit. Their website lists loan providers who consider individuals, businesses, charities or social enterprises. The level of funding provided depends on individual circumstances. Funds can be released quickly.


Biffa Award Community Fund

A community group is needed in order to apply for funds. The project must be located within 10 miles of a Biffa site and landfill site (in Northampton there is a Biffa site at NN3 9ER). Grants are for £250 to £10,000 for projects that will make a difference to a local facility, which could […]


CEMEX Community Fund

A community group has to apply for this fund. The project seeking funding must be located within 3 miles of a CEMEX operation and 10 miles of a landfill site. Grants are available for £1,000 to £15,000.


Housing Associations/Groups

This funding is normally applied for by a group of residents (e.g. residents association).  Grants vary but are usually less than £10,000.  Housing associations do fund community enhancement projects.  For example Orbit Heart of England offers small grants of between £500 to £5,000 but these cannot benefit individuals. The enhancements must benefit communities belonging to […]


Charitable Trusts

A Charitable Trust can be established with the specific purpose of dealing with and managing contributions for a particular cause or project. The Trust does not procure funds, but it is a mechanism for obtaining, holding and administering funds. Funds can be collected from the community/general public and is administered and allocated by the Trust. […]