Finding Funding
There are many sources of funding available to education settings for biodiversity improvements and outdoor learning equipment. Below is a list of some of the charities, corporate and government schemes with relevant specific funding opportunities at a national level. This will be expanded over time and will include regional schemes in due course, but it is a guide and should not be considered comprehensive.
We have contacted providers where possible to confirm that the listed information is up-to-date. However, we are not responsible for accuracy of information, suitability of the funding or whether the funding is still available. We also cannot support applications or hold any responsibility for the outcome of any applications. If you know of relevant national funding sources not listed below please contact us with information on eligibility, criteria, amount and an up-to-date web link.

Fundraising and Grants
National Education Nature Park delivery partner the Royal Horticultural Society are managing a grant fund on behalf of the Department for Education, in line with the Nature Park programme. This fund is for a select list of eligible schools and is not an open call.
For fundraising approaches see guidance from the RHS, information on the Environmental Funders Network website and platforms for fundraising, for example Crowdfunder or Justgiving.
Biodiversity projects or outdoor learning equipment
• £n/a
• Makes surplus and display items available for free to school and community groups, including plants and planters
• Open for applications
https://www.diy.com/responsible-business/community/community-re-use
• £500
• Awarded to UK state-funded primary and secondary schools to help get their pupils learning outdoors
• Open for applications
https://ernestcooktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/everything-outdoors/outdoor-essentials-grant/
• £500
• Monthly awards to facilitate outdoor learning in schools for equipment, training, travel or resources
• Opens for applications in spring 2024
• £250-£3000
• Supports projects focusing on education, environment, children, the disabled, youth activities and projects that provide clear benefits to local communities close to Ford’s locations
• Open for applications, deadline for small grant applications 30 November 2023, deadline for large grants 31 January 2024
https://www.ford.co.uk/experience-ford/news/ford-britain-trust
• £500
• Funds in two parts: outdoor learning kits including seedball packs, infrared thermometer, wildlife camera, gardening kit, pollinator kit, minibeast investigator kit, wooden planters and waterproof clothing, and a two hour CPD session for staff
• Currently closed for applications
• £1000
• Provides young people with an opportunity to lead projects in their local nature and natural spaces
• Currently closed for applications
https://www.linnean.org/the-society/medals-awards-prizes-grants/our-local-nature-grants
• Up to £400
• Supports special schools of all ages and classes in mainstream schools at KS2 upwards to visit a selection of Environmental Education Centres
• Open for applications that will be considered in February 2024
• £n/a
• State primary schools can nominate themselves to receive discounted or free outdoor clothing and welly sets
• Open for applications.
• Up to £1000
• Annual prizes to support nature projects on school grounds
• Open for applications, deadline 27 November 2023
• Up to £1500
• Funding to implement a school community nature space with plenty of learning opportunities
• Opens for applications, deadline on 27 November 2023. It will run again in Autumn 2024.
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/grants_tesco-community-grants/
Tree or hedgerow funding
• £n/a
• Free trees for communities and schools. Have specific school fruit packages, etc.
• Opens for applications
• Up to £10,200 per hectare and maintenance payments
• For settings with at least 1 hectare, can be a joint application with other land managers
• Opens for applications
• £6000
• Supports planting of indigenous trees, can also provide consultation and support
• Opens for applications
• £50,000-£300,000 and maintenance payments
• Brings together community groups and local organisations, which can include education settings, to work with their local authority to plant trees in non-woodland spaces
• Opens for applications
• £250-2500
• Supports tree and hedgerow planting
• Opens for applications, deadline 3 December 2023
https://treecouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/planting-and-care/our-grants/branching-out/
• £1000+
• Supports with equipment, tree packs, project technology, training, in school workshops and more.
• Closed for applications
• Up to 100% of costs and maintenance payments
• Support for woodland creation for settings near England’s 13 Community Forests
• £80% of planting costs and establishment payments
• For settings in, or near to, an urban area
• Opens for applications, applications assessed year-round
• £n/a
• Free packs of trees (mixed species tailored for different purposes/spaces). Successful applications now will get tree packs delivered in March 2024.
• Opens for applications, deadline January 2024 or while stocks last
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/
Water body and pond funding
• Up to 50% of total project cost
• Supports planters and rain gardens to reduce risk of surface water flooding to schools
• Open for applications, deadline 17 November 2023