School Grants and Awards

There are a number of these available and there are good web sites that will help you find offers nationwide. These are not always up to date as the form that grants take does vary from year to year. It is always better to apply for monies earlier in the year as usually they get allocated on the first come first served basis and some even state that applications have to be made over the first three months.

Do not forget your local businesses and companies. They are often very helpful and are required to fund local projects. We, in Wiltshire, have an award that is from our local high street optician. The bigger stores, both food and other trades, have many schemes that can only be given to local children or for the benefit of the community which can almost always apply to your schools. The larger awards do take a great deal of patience when filling out their forms, so with this in mind, we have put together a separate paper with some useful tips. Please see ‘Grant Applications’.

It is advisable to get the children to draw the plans, write the letters and give the reasons as to why they need the grant. Most companies want to see that the pupils are involved and inspired and these along with the maintenance plans are most important. Nobody will give money to any project that has not been thought out over the long term.

Funding for environmental projects is widely available from sources that include central or local government. The internet has to be a good starting point but if you prefer to speak to someone direct, a good first port of call is your local council or centre for voluntary services. These hold a data base of funding bodies and they will help you in your search. Your county or borough council may employ a Funding Officer who has the information and some will hold external funding workshops which are a valuable source of information. There are rural community councils, environmental groups and please work with partners such as parish councils, wildlife trusts, horticultural societies, PTAs and any other interested local groups as they are all trying to help children understand their environment better.

The money for school projects is out there, all that is needed is your time and patience to find it and apply for it.

Possible web sites:-

www.awardsforall.org.uk www.communityfoundations.org.uk

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools