Sustainability funding

This list has been prepared to help community groups find sources of funding for sustainability projects. We’re likely to have missed out several funding sources, so please drop us a line at hello@wild-ideas.org.uk if you know of one we’ve omitted. Every effort has been made to ensure that the list is accurate, but we cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.

Allchurches Trust

Allchurches Trust LTD (ALT) provides grants to churches, charities and communities across the UK to address some of the most difficult social issues of the day. ALT has a general fund which responds to requests for financial assistance from Anglican churches, churches of other denominations and the Christian community. ATL supports churches for building and restoration projects, repair of church fabric, church community initiatives, religious charities, charities preserving the UK heritage and other charitable causes.

Asda Foundation

The ASDA Foundation gives independent grants to charities, schools and community groups across the UK. You have the opportunity to apply for funding for local projects that require financial assistance to the ASDA Foundation.  It can assist any charity in the UK as well as people and projects who require financial assistance. Contact your nearest store and check your eligibility using the Eligibility Checker on their website https://www.asdafoundation.org/eligibility-checker.

Support offered: Grants
Organisations funded: Not for profit and voluntary organisations, parish councils, charities, community groups, community buildings, local authorities
Region: All UK
Amount funded: Not known
Contact: ASDA House, Southbank, Great Wilson Street Leeds LS11 5AD  |  www.asdafoundation.org


The Ashden Trust

The Ashden Trust is a grant-making charity focusing on climate change, sustainable development and improving the quality of life in poorer communities across the UK.  In order to make lasting changes in the UK and internationally small grants (typically between £1,000 – £20,000) are offered to organisations with a track record of delivering innovative and effective projects.

Support offered: Grants
Organisations funded: Not for profit and voluntary organisations, charities 
Region: All
Amount funded: Maximum of £40,000
Contact: Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, The Peak, 5 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1AP  |  020 7410 0330  |  ashdentrust@sfct.org.uk  |  www.ashdentrust.org.uk


Awards for All

A National Lottery scheme aimed at local communities across the UK. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 can be given for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.

Support offered: Grants
Organisations funded: Not specified
Region: England
Amount funded: £300 to £10,000
Contact: Awards for All England, Big Lottery Fund, 1 Plough Place, London EC4A 1DE  |  0345 410 2030  |  general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk  |  www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Banks Community Fund

The Banks Community Fund (which is actually made up of a number of funds) provides grants of up to £5000 (sometimes higher) to provide support to community groups, voluntary organisations and environmental projects that are charitable, educational, philanthropic or benevolent in purpose and which are located within close proximity of a current or proposed Banks Group development and provide benefit to the local community.

Support offered: Grants. Contact James Eaglesham, Fund Manager, before applying
Region: East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, North West, North East, Scotland – areas close to a current or proposed Banks Group operation
Amount funded: Up to £5,000, although higher amounts are sometimes considered
Organisations funded: Grants are awarded to community and voluntary organisations that are charitable, educational, philanthropic or benevolent in purpose
Contact: The Banks Community Fund, PO Box 542, Durham DH1 9EH  |  0191 378 6342  | www.banksgroup.co.uk/corporate-responsibility/banks-community-fund

BBC Children in Need

BBC Children in Need Small Grants fund charities and not-for-profit organisations who work with disadvantaged children and young people aged 18 years and under. The Small Grants programme is open to charities and not-for-profit organisations applying for any amount up to and including £10,000 per year for up to 3 years.

Support offered: Grants
Organisations funded: Charities, voluntary organisations, schools, churches, community interest groups 
Region: All UK and Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
Amount funded: There is a small grant programme for one-year requests up to £10,000 and a main grant programme for requests over £10,000/yr with funding awarded for between one and three years to a maximum of £100,000
Contact: Grants, BBC Children In Need, PO Box 649, Salford, M5 0LD  |  0345 609 0015  |  pudseygrants@bbc.co.uk  |  www.bbc.co.uk/childreninneed

Big Lottery: People and Communities

The People and Communities programme is designed to support you to work with local people to bring about positive changes in your community. A community could be a geographical area or a community of interest.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Community groups, not for profit organisations, voluntary groups, social enterprises 
Region: Northern Ireland
Amount funded: £30,000 to £500,000 
Contact: 028 9055 1455  |  www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/people-and-communities#section-3

Big Lottery: People and Places

The People and Places programme funds capital and revenue community projects throughout Wales from £100,001 to £500,000 that encourage co-ordinated action by people who want to make their communities better places to live. Projects must be community-led, helping people to develop the skills and confidence to become more involved in their community.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations, charities, community groups, community buildings, local authorities, voluntary organisations
Region: All UK but projects must mainly benefit people in Wales
Amount funded: £100,001 to £500,000
Contact: 0300 123 0735  |  wales@biglotteryfund.org.uk  |  www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/people-and-places-medium-grants

Big Lottery: Community Assets

The Community Assets programme offers grants from £10,000 to £1 million throughout Scotland to create strong and resilient communities through assets with the aim of helping local communities to address specific inequalities or disadvantages through ownership of an asset.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any (with social purpose and open membership)
Region: Scotland  
Amount funded: £10,000 to £1 million
Contact: 0300 123 7110  |  advicescotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk  |  www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/scotland/community-assets

Big Lottery: Grants for community-led activity

The Community-Led Acivity Progamme offers medium grants from £10,000 to £150,000 to voluntary or community organisations for community-let activity throughout Scotland. This funding aims to support communities to improve the places in which they live and the wellbeing of those most in need.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Voluntary organisations, community groups 
Region: Scotland
Amount funded: £10,000 to £150,000 
Contact: 0300 123 7110  |  advicescotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk  |  www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/grants-for-community-led-activity

Bristol Impact Fund 

The Bristol Impact Fund is a funding programme from Bristol City Council that helps voluntary and community organisations of all sizes do more for their communities. Four-year grant funding is available for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in the city, with smaller grants for 18 months to encourage new ideas and involvement from more diverse communities.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations; other diverse groups
Region: Bristol
Amount funded: Up to £10,000 for small grants, up to £50,000 for medium grants, up to £200,000 for large grants
Contact: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/people-communities/grants-for-voluntary-and-community-organisations 

Calor Rural Community Fund 

Funding designed to support local projects in rural off-gas communities across the UK. Grants of up to £5,000 for less than 50% of total project costs.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities, community groups, community buildings, parish councils, voluntary organisations
Region: Rural off-gas communities across UK
Amounts funded: Up to £5,000
Contact: Athena House, Athena Drive, Tachbrook Park, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6RL  | 01926 330088  |  info@calor.co.uk |  https://www.calor.co.uk/shop/communityfund 

Charity Bank

The Charity Bank provides loans to small and large organisations where the loan is being used for a social purpose. Loans are provided to social enterprises and other community organisations that benefit people and communities for a variety of needs including property purchase or refurbishments, capital investments, asset purchases, working capital loans and underwriting facilities for fund-raising programmes.

Support offered: Loan
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations, parish councils, charities, community groups, community buildings, voluntary organisations, social enterprises
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: £50,000 to £2m
Contact: The Charity Bank Limited, Fosse House, 182 High Street,Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE  |  01732 441900  |  enquiries@charitybank.org.uk  |  https://charitybank.org/charity-loans

Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust

This trust aims to make a lasting difference to the people of Kent by making grants that will reduce the impact of poverty and social exclusion. There are two grant programmes that could be useful for community energy groups to check out: Investing in Communities and Investing Locally.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any properly constituted non-profit organisation
Region: Kent
Amount funded: Up to £15,000
Contact: sboucher@cfct.org.uk  |  https://www.cfct.org.uk/

Community Energy Warwickshire Fund

This is a grant programme for voluntary and community groups to apply for funding for energy efficiency improvements to community buildings, training and events and provision of one-to-one support to help vulnerable households.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Registered charitable or community groups
Region: Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull 
Amount funded: Up to £2,000 for a year. 
Contact: https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/community-energy-warwickshire-fund/

Community Foundations

These local organisations support causes active in their area, there are about 47 community foundations in the UK, covering all of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and most of England. The levels and type of grant available will differ depending on location. Use this map to help you locate your nearest Community Foundation. 

Support offered: Grant 
Organisations funded: Charities, community groups, community buildings, not for profit organisations, voluntary organisations 
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: From very small up to £1m 
Contact: UK Community Foundations, Unit 1.04, Piano House, 9 Brighton Terrace, London SW9 8DJ  |  020 7713 9326  |  info@ukcommunityfoundations.org  |  www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/Contact

Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland 

Grants given to a range of organisations, particularly grassroots community groups and small-to-medium-sized voluntary organisations. The Foundation supports work that helps groups maintain, expand or provide new services, organisational development (rather than the costs of services) and influencing improvements in relevant policy and practice.

Support offered: Grant 
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations, charities, community groups, community buildings, voluntary organisations
Region: North East England (Tyne & Wear and Northumberland you can apply at any time but Durham, the Tees Valley or elsewhere in the UK you should apply only if there is a current call for applications covering your area
Amount funded: From £1,000 to 10,000
Contact: The Community Foundation,Philanthropy House, Woodbine Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1DD  |  0191 284 8413  |  general@communityfoundation.org.uk  |  www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply

Community Partnering Fund

Community organisations in Yorkshire, Cumbria and the North East of England can apply for funding from Northern Gas Networks and Northern Powergrid and administered by Leeds Community Foundation. Organisations should be not-for-profit, and focus on one or more of the following: COVID-19 recovery, tackling fuel poverty, promoting energy efficiency or gas safety in the home or promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) related subjects.

Support offered: Grant 
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations
Region: Yorkshire, Cumbria and the North East of England
Amount funded: From £1,000 to 10,000
Contact: Leeds Community Foundation, First Floor, 51a St Paul’s Street, Leeds, LS1 2TE | 0113 242 2426 | info@leedscf.org.uk | https://www.leedscf.org.uk/applying-for-a-grant/


Community Shares Booster Scheme

Community Businesses can access up to £10,000 to help launch community share offers, and up to £100,000 match funding when the share offer goes live.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Community businesses
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: Up to £100,000
Contact: www.communitysharesbooster.org.uk

Co-operative Loans for Community Spaces (Wales)

The Co-op Foundation are offering interest-free loans to help organisations that own or manage a community space in Wales for the benefit of local people and the environment to grow their trading activities and become more sustainable.

Support offered: Loan
Organisations funded: Any non-profit organisation that owns or manages a community space
Region: Wales
Amount funded: Up to £50,000
Contact: http://www.coopfoundation.org.uk/funding_support/cs-funding-uk-2/


Co-operative Local Community Fund

The Co-op Local Community Fund helps pay for local projects that their members care about. Projects need to be in keeping with the Co-op’s values and priority is given to organisations and charities with an annual income of less than £1m. New causes are chosen every 12 months. Applications are currently closed and will next open in spring 2022.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities, community groups, churches, community buildings
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: £100 to £2,000
Contact: The Local Community Fund, The Co-operative Membership Department 10703, 1 Angel Square, Manchester M60 0AG  |  0800 023 4708  |  membershipcontactus@co-operative.coop  |  https://causes.coop.co.uk

Coop Foundation Carbon Innovation Fund

The Coop Foundation are launching a new £3 million fund to support food and farming projects that are tackling the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Funded through Co-op donations raised from the sale of compostable carrier bags and Co-op Foundation funds, the Carbon Innovation Fund will award grants of between £75,000 and £100,000 to around ten projects per year for three years

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and local, regional and national governments 
Region: Worldwide
Amount funded: £75,000 to £100,000
Contact: Coop Foundation, 1 Angel Square, Manchester M60 0AG  |  0800 023 4708  |  foundation.media@coop.co.uk  |  https://www.coopfoundation.org.uk/blog/carbon-innovation-launch/

CO2 Sense 

CO2 Sense is a small fund that typically invests between £100k – £2 million per investment.  They provide senior debt, subordinated debt and equity at project or corporate level and normally look to exit within 5 years or less. Projects or companies should contribute to the development of an innovative and vibrant low carbon sector in the UK, be commercially viable and provide an attractive risk/reward and portfolio balance for CO2Sense.

Support offered: Loan
Organisations funded: Any
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: Unknown
Contact: CO2Sense, Unit 11, The Tannery, 91 Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1HS  |  0113 237 8400  |  talk2us@co2sense.co.uk  |  https://www.co2sense.co.uk/

DPD Ecofund

The DPD Eco Fund is available for community groups, educational facilities and start-up companies for projects which benefit the environment.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: £2,000
Contact: DPD  |  https://green.dpd.co.uk/

East Sussex Energy Efficiency Grants

Funded by East Sussex County Council, grants of up to £1,000 are available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in East Sussex (excluding Brighton & Hove), to cover 40% of the cost of an energy efficiency project, such as LED lighting, insulation or heating controls are available for small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises and charities in East Sussex.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Businesses, social enterprises, charities 
Region: South East England
Amount funded: Up to £1,000
Contact: 01273 964239  |  info@sustainablebusiness.org.uk  |  http://sustainablebusiness.org.uk/energy-efficiency-grants-east-sussex

Ebico Trust

The Ebico Trust offers grants to fund support, education and research into fuel poverty and energy efficiency improvements to local housing stock. The Trust reviews applications on a quarterly basis.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Community groups, not-for-profit organisations, education 
Region: All UK : 
Amount funded: £20,000 to £60,000 
Contact: The Ebico Trust, 2nd Floor, The Zinc Building, Broadshires Way, Carterton, Oxon OX18 1AD  |  ebicotrust@ebico.org.uk  |  https://ebico.org.uk/trust/how-to-apply-for-funding

Empower Community

Empower Community Fund (ECF) is a rapidly scalable funding mechanism designed to provide communities (initially in the UK) with access to capital to undertake renewable energy projects and energy efficiency programmes while providing a high quality investment opportunity with attractive returns.

Support offered: Investment
Organisations funded: Any www.empowercommunity.com
Region: All UK  
Amount funded: Not known
Contact: Empower Community, Hudson House, 8 Tavistock Street, London WC2E 7PP  |  0203 005 2491  |  info@empowercommunity.co.uk  | 

Energy for Tomorrow

Managed by Centrica, EfT offers grants to innovative projects that are accelerating the energy transition. This includes reducing carbon emissions, changing societal and customer use of energy or helping communities improve their energy management and deliver real benefit to the local area. In awarding funding, priority will be given to entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, including those who have not traditionally been well supported by the investment community.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any for-profit or not-for-profit group, but need to demonstrate sustained commitment to social impact 
Region: All UK  
Amount funded: £100,000 and £500,000 over three years
Contact: eft@centrica.com  |  https://www.centrica.com/energy-for-tomorrow

Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme

The Energy Saving Trust distributes payments to charities from energy companies who have breached rules. The funds can pay for anything from making homes more energy efficient, to providing advice that helps consumers keep on top of their bills.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities, community groups, local authorities
Region: England, Wales, Scotland
Amount funded: £20,000 minimum
Contact: www.energyredress.org.uk/about-us

Enovert Landfill Community Fund 

Enovert Communities Trust is offering grants to support community and environmental projects, such as improving community halls, creating new children’s play areas, restoring green spaces and habitats and enhancing community sports and recreation facilities.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any
Region: Any funded project must be within 10 miles of an Enovert landfill site 
Amount funded: Most grants are around £50,000, though there is no minimum or maximum amount 
Contact: ahaymonds@enovertct.org  |  https://www.enovert.co.uk/Trusts/Enovert+Community+Trust/Applying+for+Funding

EFN Rapid Response Fund

Grants of up to £25,000 are available to help environmental groups and organisations in the UK respond quickly to unexpected crises or opportunities with potentially significant environmental outcomes. The Environmental Funders Network’s Rapid Response Fund will support projects anywhere in the world that need immediate help in response to situations that are not possible to predict or anticipate, but the applicant organisation must be UK based.

Support offered: Grant
Contact: emma@greenfunders.org | https://www.greenfunders.org/efn-rapid-response-fund-how-to-participate/

FCC Community Action Fund 

Grant fund from waste management company FCC Environment for the provision, maintence or improvement of community facilities.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: registered charities, churches, parish councils, local authorities and CASC-registered sports clubs
Region: Any funded project must be within 10 miles of an FCC landfill site – check here
Amount funded: Between £2,000 and £100,000 available for projects with a maximum total cost of £500,000 including VAT
Contact: 01953 717165  |  Info@fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk  |  https://fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk/funds/fcc-community-action-fund

Foyle Foundation Small Grants Scheme

The Small Grants Scheme is designed to support smaller charities (turnover < £150,000 per annum) in the UK, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: £1,000 to £10,000
Contact: Rugby Chambers, 2 Rugby Street, London WC1N 3QU  |  020 7430 9119  |  sgs@foylefoundation.org.uk  |  www.foylefoundation.org.uk/small-grants-scheme

Garfield Weston Foundation

Helps a wide range of organisations with grants of varying sizes and in areas such as the arts, community, education, welfare, medical, social, religion, youth and environment.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: From £1,000 to £100,000+
Contact: Garfield Weston Foundation, Weston Centre, 10 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4QY  |  020 7399 6565  |  www.garfieldweston.org/how-to-apply

Grange Wind Farm Community Fund

This is a community benefit fund, due to run for 25 years, aiming to support projects that contribute to community cohesion, energy efficiency or benefit young or old people.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Non-profit community groups
Region: Priority given to projects impacting people within a five mile radius of PE13 5QZ
Amount funded: Up to £5,000
Contact: https://lincolnshirecf.co.uk/grants/grange-wind-farm-community-fund/

Green BELLE Project 

Green BELLE supports small-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Leicester and Leicestershire to increase their energy efficiency, reduce their energy costs and lower their carbon emissions. Grants of £1,000 to £10,000 are available to support the installation of low carbon and energy efficient technologies in local SMEs. If you are applying for a Green BELLE grant, your proposed measures should reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Businesses (small or medium sized)
Region: East Midlands
Amount funded: Up to £10,000, with Green BELLE providing up to 50% of the total cost of the project.
Contact: 0116 454 2700  |  energygrant@leicester.gov.uk  |  www.greenbelle.org.uk

HDH Wills grants for Conservation of Wildlife and the Environment

Monthly grants are made to support the conservation of wildlife and the environment by the HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust. The Trust makes grants of between £250 and £500 (sometimes up to £5,000) to general, environmental and wildlife charities,

Support offered: Grant 
Organisations funded: Registered charities,
Region: Engalnd & Wales
Amount funded: up to £2,000 (plus other schems for more)
Contact: https://hdhwills.org/grants/

Hinkley Point C Community Fund

Funding and support for those seeking support for projects and work that will help to mitigate the impacts and increase the opportunities of the Hinkley Point C development. Projects may be designed to remove or reduce impact and improve the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of communities and improve quality of life. Your project must be for the benefit of one or more communities in the county of Somerset experiencing residual and intangible impacts as a result of the construction of Hinkley Point C.

Landfill Communities Fund 

SUEZ Communities Trust’s funding programme supports projects that make physical improvements to community facilities, sports projects and historic buildings / structures. They can support projects within 3 miles of qualifying waste treatment sites owned by the recycling and waste management company, SUEZ UK. The smaller projects funding programme is for projects up to £20,000. The Primary Fund is for projects up to £50,000.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations, charities, community groups, community buildings, local authorities, voluntary organisations
Region: England
Amount funded: Up to £50,000
Contact: SUEZ Communities Trust, 301-304 Parkway, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS22 6WA  |  01934 524013  |  info@suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk  |  www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk

London Community Energy Fund

Aimed at enabling community energy groups to overcome common challenges in setting up a community energy project. Last year, grants were offered to support the development stages of 13 community solar projects including preliminary viability studies and to develop a financial business case.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Community groups, businesses, charities, not-for-profit organisations
Region: London
Amount funded: £15,000
Contact: Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk,  London SE1 2AA  |  020 7983 4100  |  www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/energy/london-community-energy-fund

Lush Charity Pot

Grant funding aimed at small, grassroots groups with limited resources and working in human rights, environment and animal protection. Particular emphasis on projects that create long-term change and address the root of a problem, that aim to change behaviour and opinion through raising awareness of issues, activism, education and campaigning.

The Matthew Good Foundation – Grants for Good Fund

The Matthew Good Foundation has launched a Grants for Good Fund to support small charities, not-for-profit groups and social entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a difference to people, their community or the environment. Your application must be on behalf of a local community group, charity, voluntary group or social enterprise that has a positive impact on communities, people or the environment and has an average income of less than £50,000 in the last 12 months.

Support offered: Grants
Organisations funded:
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: Up to £3,500
Contact: https://www.matthewgoodfoundation.org/grantsforgood/

MCS Charitable Foundation Grants 

MCS Charitable Foundation is open to funding a range of projects that advance our mission to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and low carbon technologies. Applications should be for specific, time-bound project with a UK-wide impact through having a national reach or through developing/demonstrating an innovative approach that could be replicated, adapted or scaled up.  Bids should fall into one of the following themes: Education, skills and CPD; Public awareness/information and consumer confidence.; Zero carbon planning; or Local zero carbon delivery initiatives.

Bids should also meet at least one of the following criteria: Seed funding for innovative initiatives; Support delivery of a proof of concept; Research to support innovation or capacity building in one of the themed areas; or Sharing good practice. Grants will usually be for £5,000 to £50,000. In exceptional cases grants will be considered for higher amounts up to £100,000.

Support offered: 
Organisations funded: Public organisations, non-profit companies, charities
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: Most grants between £5,000 and £50,000, but in exceptional cases grants will be considered for higher amounts up to £100,000
Contact: https://www.mcscharitablefoundation.org/funding 

Megawatt Community Energy Grants

The Megawatt Community Energy Fund is offering grants for projects that aim to: raise awareness of climate change, reduce fossil fuel consumption or reduce fuel poverty.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Priority given to small organisations with charitable aims 
Region: South Gloucestershire, Bristol, North Somerset and Sedgemoor District (Somerset)
Amount funded: Up to £5,000, although in exceptional circumstances higher awards may be considered
Contact: Quartet Community Foundation, Royal Oak House, Royal Oak Avenue, Bristol BS1 4GB  |  0117 989 7700  |  applications@quartetcf.org.uk  | https://quartetcf.org.uk/grant-programmes/megawatt-community-energy-grants/

Morrisons Foundation

The Morrisons Foundation awards grant funding for charity projects which make a positive difference in local communities across England, Scotland and Wales. Applications are accepted at anytime.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Registered charities
Region: Supporting communities in England, Scotland or Wales
Amount funded: Up to £25,000 to fully-fund projects
Contact: https://www.morrisonsfoundation.com/grant-funding-request/

National Churches Trust

Provides grants to churches, chapels and meeting houses for the development of facilities that benefit places of worship and local communities.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Churches
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: From £5,000 to £25,000 
Contact: National Churches Trust, 31 Newbury Street, London SW1P 3QB  |  0207 222 0605  |  grants@nationalchurchestrust.org  |  https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants

National Lottery Climate Action Fund

£100 million fund to enable people and communities to deliver high impact, community-led climate action in the areas of sustainable energy, transport, consumption, food and protecting/generating space and habitats.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, schools, non-profit companies
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: Up to £2.5m over five years
Contact: 0345 4 1020 30  |  general.enquiries@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk  |  https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/climate-action-fund#section-1

National Lottery Supporting Great Ideas Fund (Wales)

The National Lottery Community Fund is seeking to fund innovative and strategically important project ideas that drive positive social change in Wales.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Voluntary or community organisations and statutory bodies
Region: Wales
Amount funded: £10,001 and over
Contact: 0300 123 0735  |  wales@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk  |  https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/supporting-great-ideas


Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF)

The natural environment investment readiness fund (NEIRF) aims to stimulate private investment and market based mechanisms that improve and safeguard our domestic natural environment by helping projects get ready for investment. Proposals should focus on generating revenue from ecosystem services, rather than goods or commodities.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Not-for profit organisations, public bodies and companies.
Region: UK-wide
Amount funded: £10,000 to £100,000
Contact: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-grant-from-the-natural-environment-investment-readiness-fund/how-to-apply-for-a-natural-environment-investment-readiness-fund-grant

Naturesave Trust Grants

Set up in 1995, the Naturesave Trust funds environmental and conservation projects throughout the UK, in particular start-up grants for community renewable energy projects.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations, parish councils, charities, community groups, voluntary organisations
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: Not stated
Contact: The Naturesave Trust, South Devon House, Babbage Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5JA  |  01803 864390  |  mail@naturesave.co.uk  |  www.naturesave.co.uk/the-naturesave-trust/funding-guidelines

NFU Mutual Community Giving Fund

Grants of up to £1,000 are available to support projects that meet one or more of the Fund’s priorities: connecting the community, providing care to vulnerable members of the community, relieving poverty and improving the health/wellbeing of communities, advancing education for young people. Priority given to requests that are supported by NFU Mutual staff members or one of their local branch offices/beneficaries that have not been given funds previously.  

Support offered: Grants
Organisations funded: Charities, schools and community groups
Region: All UK, but in areas that are local to NFU operations
Amounts funded: Up to £1,000
Contact: NFU Mutual, Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ |  01789 204211  |  doing_our_bit@nfumutual.co.uk  |  https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/about-us/responsible-business/nfu-mutual-community-giving-fund/

OCADO Grant for Good

The Ocado Foundation, the charitable arm of Ocado Group is working with BizGive, to support charity and fundraising activities across the UK. The Foundation will give grants of up to £1,000 to charities, community organisations, community interest companies, academic institutions, and local authorities for community projects which focus their efforts on three core areas skills for the future, natural resources and responsible sourcing

Support offered: Grant: 
Organisations funded: Charities, community organisations, community interest companies, academic institutions, and local authorities
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: up to £1,000
Contact: https://www.ocadogroup.com/our-responsible-business/corporate-responsibility

OLEV Grant Schemes for Electrical Vehicles 

Government grants to support the wider use of electric and hybrid vehicles via the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

Support offered: Grant: 
Organisations funded: Any
Region: All UK 
Amount funded: Not stated
Contact: www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles

Pebble Trust Grants

The Pebble Trust funds projects that contribute to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and other limited resources. Eligible projects will be expected to benefit the public through creating a sustainable future, raising awareness and disseminating results of funded projects.

Support offered: Grant: 
Organisations funded: Any organisation or individual, provided they can demonstrate that the expected outcome of any proposed project contributes to the Pebble Trust’s vision
Region: All UK, but priority given to Highlands and Islands
Amount funded: Up to £5,000
Contact: Stoneybank, Culbokie, Dingwall, Ross-shire IV7 8JH  |  01349 877822  |  http://www.thepebbletrust.org/index.asp

People’s Postcode Trust

The People’s Postcode Trust is a grants programme which provides short-term, project specific funding for projects across Great Britain. The Trust proivdes funding for projects of up to twelve months in length, ranging from £500 up to £20,000 to registered charities, community and voluntary groups, community interest companies and other not-for-profit organisations. They have four funding rounds per year (with each round being geographically specific). To find your Trust area, enter your postcode at the following URL: https://www.postcodelocaltrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Registered charities, community and voluntary groups, community interest companies and other not-for-profit organisations
Region: Great Britain
Amount funded: £500 – £20,000
Contact: https://www.postcodelocaltrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant

Power to Change Community Business Fund 

This Fund awards grants between £50,000 and £300,000 to established community businesses that need funding for a business development project to make their organisation more financially sustainable. So far they have funded energy efficiency measures for community buildings owned by the applicant organisation with the aim of improving financial viability.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Community businesses
Region: England
Amount funded: £50,000 to £300,000
Contact: www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/community-business-fund

Reaching Communities England

Reaching Communities offer grants for up to five years to organisations in England with great ideas that enable communities to thrive. The scheme can fund project activities, operating costs, organisational development and capital costs, but will only support buildings or sites based in the most deprived ‘Lower Super Output Areas’ (LSOAs) in England.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Schools, community buildings, not for profit organisation, community groups, charities, community buildings, colleges, universities
Region: England
Amount funded: £10,000 to 100,000
Contact: Big Lottery Fund, 1 Plough Place, London EC4A 1DE  |  0345 410 2030  |  general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk  |  www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/reaching-communities-england

Resonance Limited

Resonance works with social enterprises throughout the UK, assisting them in their development strategies, providing support with investment readiness and securing finance.  Their aim is to match the social enterprise with investors who share their values and want to invest in sustainable, well-planned projects.

Support offered: Loans, advisory services and professional support
Region: Social enterprises
Eligible regions: All UK 
Amount funded: £50,000 to £500,000
Contact: The Great Barn, Scarne Court, Launceston PL15 9LR  |  0345 004 3432  |  info@resonance.ltd.uk  |  www.resonance.ltd.uk

Rural Community Energy Fund  

The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is a £10 million programme which supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects, which provide economic and social beenefits to the community.

Support offered: Grant 
Organisations funded: Charities, schools, community interest companies, parish councils, development trusts, faith groups, industrial provident societies. A recognised legal structure such as IPS or CIC is required
Region: England. Apply through one of five Local Energy Hubs
Amount funded: £40,000 for an initial feasibility study, then £100,000 for business development and planning of feasible schemes
Contact: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rural-community-energy-fund

Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund

This fund is managed by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and provides loans of up to £20,000 for measures that increase the energy efficiency of community buildings.

Support offered: Loan
Organisations funded: Community buildings, community groups
Region: England
Amount funded: Up to £20,000
Contact: 01285 653477 |  https://acre.org.uk/our-work/rural-community-buildings-loan-fund 

Screwfix Foundation Grant

The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding of up to £5,000. All applications are reviewed individually by our team on a quarterly basis, the review dates are in March, June, September and December. All successful applications will be contacted by post, email or phone to arrange the next step. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted within one month of the review meeting. Once you have received your outcome, should you wish to reapply, please do so after 12 months

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Registered charities and not for profits 
Region: UK
Amount funded: £5,000
Contact: https://www.fundingforall.org.uk/funds/the-screwfix-foundation/ 

Salix Funding to Help Schools & Colleges Reduce Energy Usage

This fund is managed by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and provides loans of up to £20,000 for measures that increase the energy efficiency of community buildings.

Support offered: Loan
Organisations funded: Schools
Region: England
Amount funded: Up to £200,000
Contact: https://www.salixfinance.co.uk/loans/maintained-schools-and-sixth-form-colleges

Severn Trent Community Fund

The water company have a new pot of £10 million to support energy projects or groups, preferably with some kind of connection to the water cycle.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any group that is non-profit and has a governing document
Region: The location of your project and its beneficaries must be located within the Severn Trent region
Amount funded: Up to £250,000
Contact: https://www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/severn-trent-community-fund/

Surrey Hills Trust Fund

Supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the Surrey Hills AONB.

Support offered: Grant 
Organisations funded: Any
Region: South East England
Amount funded: £1,000 to £15,000
Contact: Surrey Hills AONB, Warren Farm Barns, Headley Lane, Mickleham RH5 6DG  |  01483 478092  |  info@cfsurrey.org.uk  |  www.surreyhills.org/trust-fund/apply-for-a-grant

Sustainable Communities Wales

A free programme of support and advice available to communities across Wales to help improve the energy efficiency of the buildings they run. As part of the initiative, communities can apply for interest-free loans to help fund large-scale improvements to buildings.

Support offered: Loan
Organisations funded: A variety of community organisations
Region: Wales
Amount funded: Variable
Contact: https://sustainablecommunities.wales/about/

Tesco Community Grants

Tesco Community Grants support thousands of local community projects and good causes across the UK. The scheme is open to all registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, with priority given to projects that provide food and support to young people. This funding scheme is administered through Groundwork.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Voluntary or community organisations, schools, health bodies, parish/town councils, local authorities
Region: All UK
Amount funded: Up to £1,500
Contact: 0121 237 5780  |  tescocommunitygrants@groundwork.org.uk  |  info@groundwork.org.uk  |  https://tescocommunitygrants.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/

Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists

The Royal Society is inviting applications to their Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists Programme to give students across the UK the opportunity to take action to address climate and biodiversity issues. Grants of up to £3,000 are available to UK primary or secondary schools to run a STEM investigation project for students aged between 5 and 18.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Schools
Region: All UK
Amount funded: Up to £3,000
Contact: 0207 451 2531  |  education@royalsociety.org  |  https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/partnership-grants/

Trees for Climate

DEFRA have provided funding the community forests across England to facilitate new tree planting and woodland maintenance in their areas. Interested groups in the West of England can contact Forest of Avon for help developing a proposal.

Support offered: Grant
Region: Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire
Contact: Forest of Avon Trust, Brickhousewood Barns, Brockley Lane, Chelvey, North Somerset, BS48 4AB  |  0117 963 3383  |  www.forestofavontrust.org/for-trees/trees-for-climate

Support offered: Grant
Region: England
Contact: Through your local Community Forest | secretariat@communityforest.org.uk | www.englandscommunityforests.org.uk/englands-community-forests-map

Triodos Bank

Triodos Bank lends to businesses and charities with clear social, environmental or cultural aims such as renewable energy, health and social care, social and affordable housing, and organic farming.

Support offered: Loan
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations, parish councils, charities, community groups, voluntary organisations
Region: All UK  
Amount funded: £100,000 to £15m
Contact: Triodos Bank, Deanery Road Bristol BS1 5AS  |  0800 328 2181  |  www.triodos.co.uk/en/business/borrowing

Trusthouse Grants for Community Centres

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation is offering community centres the chance to apply for capital grants to fund new buildings, upgrades to existing buildings, or improvements to outside space.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any organisation that manages a community space
Region: The postcode of your building must be, in urban areas, within the most deprived 15% of the latest government Indices of Multiple Deprivation or, in rural areas, the most deprived 50% of the Indices.
Amount funded: £7,500 to £60,000
Contact:www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk/our-grants

Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment

Provide grants towards an energy audit, which are carried out by the Environmental Information Exchange, for projects working to deliver real benefits for biodiversity, access to green spaces or sustainable use of resources.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities, community groups, voluntary organisations, not for profit organisations, community buildings
Region: South East England
Amount funded: Up to £5,000
Contact: toe2, Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4QZ  |  01865 407003  |  admin@trustforoxfordshire.org.uk  |  www.trustforoxfordshire.org.uk

UKPN Power Partners Fund

The Power Partners scheme from UK Power Networks usually offers grants for projects that deliver outcomes in the following two categories: 1) Income maximisation for vulnerable households through face-to-face energy efficiency advice, including tariff switching and time of use tariff awareness, Priority Service Register sign-ups, provision of energy advice training and support for frontline workers; 2) CO2 and financial savings and energy efficiency improvements for popular community spaces achieved through the installation of insulation, low-energy lighting and appliances, heating upgrades of renewable technologies. Applications open in rounds every 6 months. NOTE: the latest round of Power Partners funding has been repurposed to support organisations working to support vulnerable groups during the Covid-19 crisis, check application guidance for full eligibility and details.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Any not-for-profit organisations
Region: UKPN area (South East, East of England and London) – check eligibility here
Amount funded: Between £2,000 and £20,000
Contact: powerpartners@cse.org.uk  |  https://www.cse.org.uk/projects/view/1356

UnLtd Awards

UnLtd’s Millennium Awards provide practical and financial support to social entrepreneurs with “vision, passion and commitment” who want to change the world for the better. Includes a support package in addition to financial support.

Support offered: Grants and professional support
Organisations funded: Individuals, social entrepreneurs
Region: All UK
Amount funded: Up to £150,000
Contact: 123 Whitecross Street, Islington, London EC1Y 8JJ  |  0207 566 1100  |  https://unltd.org.uk/path

Veolia Environmental Trust

Established in 1997 under the Landfill Communities Fund, the Trust supports community and environmental projects in England and Wales. Veolia has contributed over £74m since the fund was established, used to award grants to over 2,000 projects. Projects are only considered if they are located in the proximity of a qualifying Veolia site.

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Charities, community groups, voluntary organisations, not for profit organisations, community buildings 
Region: England and Wales  
Amount funded: £0 to £100,000
Contact: The Veolia Environmental Trust, Ruthdene, Station Road, Four Ashes, Wolverhampton WV10 7DG  |  0203 567 6820  |  uk.environmentalTrustInfo@veolia.com  |  www.veoliatrust.org

The Waterloo Foundation

The Waterloo Foundation Environment Programme supports initiatives aimed at reducing man-made climate change: energy efficiency, clean technologies, CO2capture. With grants covering start-up, initial stages and on-going work. 

Support offered: Grant
Organisations funded: Not for profit organisations, charities, community groups, community buildings, voluntary organisations
Region: All UK  
Amount funded: £5,000 to £100,000
Contact: The Waterloo Foundation  |  46-48 Cardiff Road  |  Llandaff, Cardiff: CF5 2DT  |  02920 838980  |  applications@waterloofoundation.org.uk  |  www.waterloofoundation.org.uk/GrantProgrammes.html