Funding for your Allotment site:
Where to look for Grants and Support
From installing water butts and accessible raised beds to creating wildlife areas or replacing a communal shed, improving an allotment site can sometimes need funding. The good news is that allotment associations and community growing groups can potentially tap into a surprisingly wide range of grants.
Before applying, think beyond what your plot needs and explain what the project will achieve for the allotment community at your site. Funders are often interested in benefits such as improving biodiversity, involving children, tackling food insecurity, reducing isolation, improving accessibility or bringing different parts of a community together.
Here are some grants that might be suitable:
Climate Action Microgrants – London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
https://www.richmond.gov.uk/
Awarding between £100 and £500 to community groups, schools, individuals or non-profits to run events, activities and initiatives that promote positive behaviours in the community around climate change and sustainability.
The National Lottery Community Fund
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.
Its community funding can support projects that bring people together, strengthen communities and improve local places, making community-led allotment projects a potentially good fit. Eligibility and funding programmes vary across the UK, so check the current criteria before applying.
National Garden Scheme’s Community Garden Grants
https://ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/
The scheme supports community gardening projects with consumable items.
Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants
https://www.tescoplc.com/
Allotments working with children and young people may also be able to apply for Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants. The current programme offers grants of up to £1,500 for projects improving children’s access to healthy food, with growing produce in allotments and planters specifically given as an example of an eligible activity.
Thames Water Community Funding
https://www.thameswater.co.uk/
Their microgrants support small water themed projects in the community including including pond creation and rainwater harvesting. They also look to fund improving the health and wellbeing of community spaces, for example, installing accessible toilets.
Aviva Foundation
https://communitiesfund.
The Communities Fund matches each donation you receive up to £250. The maximum amount an organisation can receive from the Communities Fund is £25,000 in a calendar year, which can be split across up to two projects.
Barnes Community Association
https://www.barnes-ca.org/
Every year surplus funds generated by the BCA are distributed amongst local good causes and organisations.
Community Bluescapes
https://communitybluescapes.
With £30,000 available to support projects that help residents adapt to a changing climate. We’re granting up to £1000 for people or groups without an organisation bank account, and up to £5000 for groups with an organisation bank account. Whether you’re a local group, club, or just a few neighbours with a great idea — you could receive up to £5,000 to help your community adapt to climate change and connect with nature.