National Grid’s electricity distribution business has once again teamed up with Localgiving to deliver the latest phase of its Community Matters Fund. The Green Spaces Community fund will provide £500,000 to support communities to enhance their local environments and encourage more people to make the most of their green spaces.
With Spring having finally sprung, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with nature, with the fund focussed on the use of green spaces to bring communities together, encourage more wildlife and biodiversity, improve air quality, reduce noise and deliver health benefits as well as creating employment and volunteering opportunities.
National Grid provides electricity to eight million customers across the Midlands, South West England, and South Wales. Funding is available for registered charities, charitable companies, and unregistered community organisations based in these locations. You can check if your organisation is eligible here.
The programme is now live and will accept applications until 12th May 2023. Organisations that complete applications will be informed of the outcome by the end of May 2023. Projects must be delivered and funding spent by 31st December 2023. The application form is an online process; however you can download the questions below so that you can prepare your answers in advance.If you are an existing Localgiving member then simply log into your account to apply.
A link to the application form can be found under the ‘My Grants’ section of your account displayed on the left hand side of your dashboard. If you are not a Localgiving member then apply via the button below. If you are successful with your application and are not yet a Localgiving member, you will also receive a complimentary Localgiving annual membership.
The Green Spaces initiative is the latest phase of the Community Matters Fund run by National Grid. The fund, which is paid for entirely by shareholders, has awarded £4.3 million to grassroots organisations since 2021. You can find out more about the Community Matters Fund here.
Registered charities or non-profit companies limited by guarantee can apply for up to £10,000; constituted charitable organisations with no charity number can apply for up to £2000.
Applications for the Green Spaces Community Fund could include the following:
- Planting spaces and new allotment creation in existing green spaces
- Bee banks, bird/bat boxes, wildflowers, ponds, trees, hedges, and projects to improve biodiversity
- Development of unused land into green space
- Gardening workshops and allotment activities to bring vulnerable members of the community into green spaces
- Access pathways, ramps and seating in parkland or nature reserves
- Redevelopment of existing green spaces to encourage greater community use
- Forest School education sessions for young people or craft workshops in nature
- Innovative approaches to create or develop green spaces for public enjoyment
Further information about the process can be found in our Funding Guide, which includes important eligibility information and FAQs. You can also download the questions that will be asked in the online application form below to enable you to draft your answers if you wish. Please review the funding guide and application questions prior to application.