Securing Funding
for your green community hub
Green Funding Alerts
Once a fortnight, we share the latest funding opportunities in our Whatsapp announcements chat. No spam, no promotion – just one wrap-up with the most relevant pots of funding for green community hubs.
To get access to this as well as member-only resources, become a member of the Northern Network – it’s completely free!
Before applying for funding...
Applying for funding can be a time-consuming and even stressful process. Before getting overwhelmed by all the different options, ask yourself these three questions:
What is our exact goal?
Clarify key details about your project. Who will you work with – is it children, adults, diverse communities? Do you need to pay staff or will volunteers run your hub? These factors will guide your funding search.What’s our structure?
Your legal structure matters. Are you a CIC, CIO, or a registered charity? Funders often require formal setups and don’t usually support individuals or sole traders, so make sure you’re set up with the right kind of bank account and relevant documents.How long have we been operating?
Some funders only support established organizations, often requiring at least two years of operation. If you’re a start-up, look for funders like UnLtd that support new or early-stage social enterprises.
Funding databases
Databases are a great way to make the search for funding less time-consuming, and there are several options out there to save you from spending hours scouring across the internet.
My Funding Central
A free funding database for charities with an income under £30,000. For larger organizations (up to £1m annual income), a subscription starts at £30 per year.
Funds Online
Managed by the Directory of Social Change, this platform lists 4,500 grant-making organizations. It’s a subscription-based service, with flexible options to pay for access for either a single week or a full year.
Grant Finder
A paid-for service with the most extensive database of funding sources in the UK, including very handy search functionality.
GrantwayA free grant portal for individuals and organizations, offering access to funding opportunities at local, regional, and international levels.
Community Foundations
A network of 47 community foundations operating across the UK. From this main site, you can locate your local foundation, each with its own directory of grant-giving trusts and foundations.