Getting funding
Charity Funding
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund – Secure up to £5,000 for projects aimed at improving facilities or resources for young people with learning disabilities. This can cover new buildings, renovations, refurbishments, or even play schemes. Submissions are welcome throughout the year, offering flexible opportunities for school development.
Ernest Cook Trust – This trust provides funding for educational initiatives that boost youth engagement with the arts or the natural environment, as well as literacy and numeracy. With grants from £100 to £4,000, schools can access resources that enrich their curriculum and provide more diverse learning experiences.
UK Wide Grant and Funding Opportunities
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation – This trust provides funding for educational initiatives that boost youth engagement with the arts or the natural environment, as well as literacy and numeracy. With grants from £100 to £4,000, schools can access resources that enrich their curriculum and provide more diverse learning experiences.
The Foyle Foundation – Primarily focused on the Arts and Learning, this foundation offers grants that can be used to enhance arts education or learning resources within schools, enriching the educational offerings for students
The Prince’s Countryside Fund – Ideal for schools with a focus on environmental education, this fund supports projects that help reconnect students with rural life, promoting understanding and appreciation of the countryside.
The Wolfson Foundation – This foundation funds capital projects in schools that aim to improve educational facilities. If your school needs upgrades or new infrastructure, especially related to health or education, grants ranging from £1,000 to £8,000 can be very beneficial.
The Wesleyan Foundation – In response to the pandemic, the foundation is focusing on projects that enhance outdoor learning or mental health and personal development. Grants between £2,000 and £10,000 are available, supporting schools in creating or improving outdoor spaces or programs that aid in student development.
Regional Grant and Funding Providers
A selection of funding which is only available to certain areas:
Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust – SCCT offers substantial grants up to £40,000 or more to schools and organisations within Sutton Coldfield for various projects, including canopy installations. A local school has successfully utilised these funds for their own canopy, demonstrating the practicality and accessibility of this funding.
London:
City Bridge Trust – The City Bridge Trust provides extensive funding through their Working With Londoners Grant, which covers a wide range of sectors including Accessibility and Environment. They offer up to £500,000 to sector organisations and registered charities, which could potentially support large-scale canopy projects that enhance school environments or community spaces.
North East England:
Hadrian Trust – This trust focuses on improving social welfare, aiding the disabled, supporting youth initiatives, and enhancing educational environments in North East England. With grants typically ranging from £500 to £2,000, it’s ideal for smaller canopy projects or supplementary funding for larger initiatives.
Southwold, Suffolk:
The Adnams Community Trust – Grants from The Adnams Community Trust range from £100 to £2,500 and are available to projects within 25 miles of Southwold. Eligible categories include Education, Community Facilities, and The Environment/Conservation, making it a suitable source for funding small to medium-sized canopy installations that benefit local communities.
Selected Area Grant and Funding Providers
Biffaward – Community funding scheme which offers grants of between £5,000 and £50,000. Biffa Award awards grants to projects that are within a certain distance of an active Biffa operation. Both the Main Grants Community and Small Grants funding schemes require an active Biffa operation to be within 10 miles of the project site. However, if you’re applying under the Main Grants Biodiversity or Flagship Scheme the radius is extended to within 25 miles.
Magnox Socio-Economic Scheme – Funding scheme offered by Magnox with the aim to mitigate the impact of decommissioning on local communities living near Magnox Ltd sites. Grants are offered between the value of £100 to over £100,000. Education establishments, community groups, voluntary groups etc local to these sites can apply for funding.
Other registered Landfill Site Operators also offer funding for projects within a specified distance of their sites. A list of registered landfill site operators is available from the HMRC website: List of Registered Landfill Site Operators
School Grant and Funding Directories
Grants for schools – Finding the right grants for school projects and enhancements can be challenging. Grants for Schools offers a comprehensive solution to help educational institutions access a wide range of funding opportunities across the UK.
Subscription Service with a Free Trial: While Grants for Schools is a subscription-based service, they offer a free trial, allowing you to explore their offerings and see the value before committing financially. By subscribing, schools gain access to an up-to-date database of grants suited for various needs—from infrastructure improvements like canopy installations to educational programs and more.