Finding funding for projects and activities can be a challenge, so we’ve brought together information about funding opportunities. If you know of other grants or funding sources, please let us know by emailing Northumberlandgreenhub@gmail.com.
Community Foundation
The Community Foundation covers the north east of England and matches donors with community causes. It supports small, local charities and community organisations through grants and help from its network. It runs regular webinars and events to enable organisations to find out more about applying for funding and developing governance. Find out more about the oranisation and how to apply for funding.
In particular, the Community Foundation has £500,000 to award to community organisations for environmental and climate-related activities across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. Find out more here.
Environmental Action: Funding, People and Place
Community Foundation are hosting an Environmental Conference on April 21st 2026, in partnership with EFN, bringing together funders, community organisations and regional partners to explore how environmental funding can support local communities.
For full details and to book your place visit Register your place – Environmental Action: Funding, People and Place – Wylam Brewery Palace of Arts
Free Trees for Schools and Communities
The Woodland Trust is giving away free packs of native trees. The packs come in a variety of sizes and any educational establishment, all kinds of local authorities and not-for-profit community groups can apply.
For full details, visit Free Trees for Schools and Communities – Woodland Trust.
Royal Countryside Fund
£250,000 is available to support rural community-led activities in Northumberland. Organisations can apply for up to £30,000 over a period of 18 months to deliver activities along the themes of powering up rural communities and increasing environmental sustainability.
https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/how-we-help/rural-communities/
Veolia Environmental Trust
The Habitat and Biodiversity Grant Scheme funds projects that improve habitats, creating healthy environments for native species. The projects should aim to protect biodiversity and create sustainable, carbon-neutral spaces.
The minimum grant request is £10,000. Whilst project sites can be accessible to the public, projects should not be for community use.
For more information visit Eligibility checker – Veolia Environmental trust.
Wingates Wind Farm Community Grants
Grants of £250 – £5000 are available to constituted groups, parish councils and schools based in Brinkburn, Hesleyhurst, Longhorsley, Netherwitton, Nunnykirk or Rothley and Hollinghill covering projects that benefit the community. For more information contact Julia Plinston at 01670 517178 or email communityfunds@ca-north.org.uk
Northumberland County Council Environment & Climate Fund
The fund will open for applications from February 2nd 2026. £50,000 in grants will be available for local environmental and community projects.
Community groups, charities, CICs, social enterprises, town and parish councils and inclusive faith groups can apply for grants ranging from £250 to £5,000.
Projects must support initiatives focused on reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainability.
The National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery has a large number of programmes with grants ranging from £300 to £500,000.
National Lottery Awards for All – this is a quick way of applying for smaller amounts of funding between £300 and £20,000 for up to two years. It is suitable for voluntary or community organisations. Applications are currently open.
Reaching Communities England – this fund offers a larger amount of funding (over £20,001) for projects that last up to five years. It’s aimed at projects that work with their community – whether that a geographic community or people with similar interests or life experiences.
Partnerships – this offers a larger amount of funding (over £20,001) for organisations that work together with a shared set of goals to help their community thrive – whether that’s a geographic community or people with similar interests or life experiences.
Other funding streams are also available from the National Lottery, so its well worth looking in detail at their website.
idox GrantFinder
GrantFinder is a funding database covering local, national and international sources of funding. It has an online search toolkit, plus sign up to weekly newsletters or personalised alerts.
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust gives away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and community groups. There are a range of packs to choose from. There are two deliveries a year, in March and November. Applications are currently being taken for tree packs to be delivered in March 2025. Applications are expected to close in January or sooner, depending on stock availability.
The Tree Council – Branching Out Fund
Open to schools, community groups and Tree Warden Networks with grants from £250 to £2500 for tree, orchard and hedge planting, or non-plastic tree guards and mulch.
Now closed.
Forestry Commission
Advice about a range of funding opportunities for tree planting, including the Woodland Creation Planning Grant and the England Woodland Creation Offer etc.
Paid for service for individual users £17 per month or £125 per year. Also memberships for organisations. Monthly Newsletter is FREE to sign up to.
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Northumberland Green Hub 