Changing Chalk - Community Grants Scheme
The Changing Chalk Community Grants Scheme supports grassroots community-led initiatives that will help to restore lost habitats, bring local histories to life, and provide new experiences in the outdoors. In partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the scheme aims to award a total of £150,000 to local initiatives during the lifetime of the Changing Chalk project.
The application window for grants for projects and activities within the Changing Chalk project area has now closed for Sussex groups from Shoreham, Hove, Brighton and Lewes to Peacehaven, Newhaven, Seaford and Eastbourne to apply for grants to fund projects that will make a real difference to their local communities. The next round of funding applications will open in Spring 2024. Full details will be posted here in due course.
Expressions of interest for habitat projects between £5,000 and £10,000 are welcomed at any stage.
There are grants of up to £5,000 available for community projects and up to £10,000 available for habitat-related projects focusing on restoring the fragile chalk grassland of the South Downs. We’re particularly looking for projects which help people to access, enjoy, learn about and look after the nature and cultural heritage of the eastern South Downs. Please see the guidance documents via the links below for details of the scheme, project area and eligibility criteria but please note these are for guidance pnly at present - we are not currenlty accepting applications .
Who can apply
The following groups are eligible to apply:
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Local community or voluntary groups and organisations
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Registered charities and other non-profit making organisations eg. social enterprises/CIC
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Schools, town councils and parish councils - if the project demonstrates wider community involvement and benefit
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Private individual landowners - for eligible habitat projects only
Further information on what can and can’t be applied for, eligibility and assessment criteria can be found in the How to Apply section.
The deadline for the autumn round of applications has now passed. Applicants will be informed of the outcome in January 2024. Additional funding rounds are planned for 2024 and 2025.
Before you apply
Using the links below please read the guidance documents and full eligibility criteria before you apply.
Please note that:
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Grants will be paid in two stages, with an upfront payment (50% of the grant award) at the project start and the remainder paid in arrears, following receipt of a satisfactory End of Project Report and evidence of expenditure.
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Applicants must provide a copy of their Constitution/Terms of Reference or similar with their application which details the purpose and governance of the group or organisation.
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Applicants must have a UK registered bank account for the grant award to be paid into (or provide evidence they can utilise the bank account of an organisation they are affiliated to).
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Grant recipients will be required to comply with the guidance as set out by the National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund in the Grant Agreement, including acknowledging the funding in any publicity.
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Please ensure you have read the Applicant Guidance Notes and Frequently Asked Questions document before you complete the Application Form.
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Applications for grants up to £10,000 for habitat-related projects on priority chalk grassland require an Expression of Interest form to be submitted first. See the Applicant Guidance Notes below for further information.
If you still have questions after reading all the documents below, or if you require them in an alternative format (this may take additional time), please contact us at changingchalk@nationaltrust.org.uk.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for a grant, please read the Applicant Guidance Notes and Frequently Asked Questions documents below and then complete the Community Grants Application Form. Return it to us by 5 November 2023 using the details provided at the end of the Application Form. Please note these documents have been updated for the current Autumn 2023 funding round and may be changed or updated in future.
Community Grants Scheme Applicant Guidance Notes (Autumn 2023)
Please read these Guidance Notes before you apply.
Community Grants Scheme Frequently Asked Questions (Autumn 2023)
Supporting information to help answer any questions you may have about the Scheme and application process.
Community Grants Scheme How to complete the application form (Autumn 2023)
A step-by-step guide to completing the application form.
Community Grants Scheme Application Form (Autumn 2023)
To apply for a community grant please download and complete this form.