What you can spend the money on

We fund a variety of costs to help your project succeed. These include:

• running costs for your organisation
• help from a nature organisation
• equipment
• one-off events with a clear environmental impact
• staff and training costs
• transport and utilities
• volunteer expenses
• small land or refurbishment projects

We encourage you to think about any costs that help your organisation and community cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

What we cannot fund

We cannot fund:

• activities or costs that only involve animals
• costs you’ve already paid for
• alcohol
• contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest
• someone else to write your application for you
• activities that make a profit or raise money
• VAT you can reclaim
• religious activities (we can fund religious organisations if the project benefits the wider community and does not include religious content)
• statutory services or activities
• schoolwork support during school hours
• overseas travel
• projects that take place outside the UK
• activities that make a private profit
• giving cash directly to individuals

If you are not sure if something can be funded, contact us.

Funding for land or refurbishment projects

If you need funding for land or building work, one of the following must apply:

• you own the land or building
• you have a lease for at least five years
• you have a letter from the owner confirming a lease for at least five years
• you have permission from the owner or landlord to do the work

You may also need to check if planning permission is required.