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Communities Grant

The Application window for this Grant is now open

The Communities Grant is a new pilot award aimed at supporting charities and non-profit organisations who encourage young people aged from 11-19 years (or up to 25 years old for Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) from underserved communities to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. Please note that the Communities Grant is not open to schools, please refer to the Outdoor Essentials Grant page for further details on our schools grant offer.

This current round of funding is a place-based offer focusing on specific geographical areas defined by postcodes. The Communities Grant is therefore only available to organisations located within the following postcode prefixes:

Glos/Swindon/Bristol: GL/SN/BS

An award of £500 is offered for the following options:

Nature & Nurture
Resourcing nature connection development with your project / in the local community

To enable young people to be connected to nature and the recognised benefits that this has to their wellbeing, this grant is available to enhance ‘nature on the doorstep’ through improvements to areas within their local community.

The ambition is to see projects that provide spaces for Outdoor Learning and improvements to biodiversity which could include wildflower meadows, creation of raised beds, allotment gardens, ponds, woodland areas or sensory gardens. The grant can also be used for the purchase of Outdoor Learning resources that engage young people with the environment such as bird boxes, nature ID charts and natural craft equipment and materials. The grant cannot be used to fund capital infrastructure such as playground equipment or storage sheds.

Transport & Travel
Transport costs to Outdoor Learning venues

Being outdoors benefits the mental and physical wellbeing of everyone. Research commissioned by The Ernest Cook Trust has identified that transport costs are a key barrier to accessing Outdoor Learning.

We believe that all young people should have the opportunity to create lasting, meaningful connections with nature. Therefore, this grant supports travel and transport costs to any centre or provider that can facilitate these ambitions, including: The Ernest Cook Trust Outdoor Learning sites, Outdoor Learning centres, forest schools, countryside parks, woodlands, national parks, farm parks, farms (including city farms), coastal areas and beaches. Trips to outdoor adventure centres for outdoor activities (such as kayaking and climbing) may be considered, but nature connection and environmental learning must be the primary focus.

Wellies & Waterproofs
Outdoor Clothing

The cost of living crisis has highlighted inequalities in people’s abilities to access the outdoors. Being unable to access appropriate outdoor clothing and equipment has been identified as a key barrier to engaging in Outdoor Learning. This grant helps to fund outdoor clothing to enable young people to learn outdoors.

Who the Communities Grant can fund
  • Non-Profit organisations – UK Registered Charities, Community Interest Companies, non-profit organisations or Charitable Incorporated organisations whose vision is aligned with The Ernest Cook Trust, who are located within the specific postcode areas
  • Young people – The organisation must work with young people aged 11-19 years (or up to 25 years old for Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) 
  • Disadvantage – We will prioritise organisations that focus on support for young people who are from underserved communities. This could include disadvantage for social, physical, economic or community reasons
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – It is vital that applicants consider equity, diversity and inclusion in every aspect of their work
  • Safeguarding policy – Organisations must have an up-to-date Safeguarding Policy
  • Governance – Organisations will need to have a bank account in the organisation’s name, a constitution or memorandum of association and a board or management committee of at least three unrelated people
Who the Communities Grant can’t fund
  • Schools, nurseries, pre-schools, colleges or universities
  • Applications from outside the stated UK postcodes 
  • Individuals
  • Local authorities
  • Political campaigns
  • Organisations based outside the UK
  • Sole traders
  • Anyone who is applying on behalf of another organisation
  • Organisations without at least three unrelated people on the board or committee
  • Organisations that are aimed at generating profits for private distribution
  • The promotion of religion – faith organisations may apply as long as there is a clear benefit to the local community and not just to those of a prarticular faith
  • This grant can’t be awarded retrospectively
Evaluation

Successful applicants will have one year to spend the Grant and then a short monitoring report will be sent out to receive feedback and information on the impact of the funding.

Application Process

Applications are made via an online form, which is available via the link below.

Applications will close when a sufficient number of applications have been received; it is anticipated that this will be a popular grant and we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.