Apply for a community wildlife grant

The Community Wildlife Grant supports local community groups to deliver practical projects that improve wildlife and habitats in Lincolnshire.

This is a small grant scheme (typically up to £500) designed to:

• Help communities take direct action for nature
• Improve local habitats and biodiversity
• Encourage hands-on involvement from local people

We prioritise projects that deliver real, measurable environmental improvements.

What we fund

We support projects that:

• Create or improve habitats for wildlife
• Restore or enhance natural features (e.g. ponds, hedgerows, wildflower areas)
• Manage land in a more wildlife-friendly way
• Control invasive species
• Improve biodiversity on community land

We also support small-scale access improvements where they help people engage with nature

Projects we are less likely to fund

We receive many applications, so we prioritise those with the greatest benefit for wildlife.

We are less likely to fund:

• Projects that are only signage or interpretation boards
• Projects with limited or unclear biodiversity benefits
• General landscaping without a clear wildlife focus

Who can apply

You can apply if you are:

• A parish or town council
• A community group or charity
• A school or educational group
• A not-for-profit organisation

Your project must:

• Benefit the local community
• Be located in Lincolnshire
• Involve local people where possible

How much you can apply for

• Grants are typically up to £500
• This is intended as a contribution, not full project funding
• We welcome projects where communities contribute:
  • Volunteer time
  • Match funding
  • Ongoing maintenance

How we assess applications

Applications are scored based on:

1. Biodiversity Impact (Most Important)
   • Does the project improve habitats or support wildlife?
   • Does it create meaningful environmental change?
2. Community Involvement
   • Is the project led and delivered by local people?
   • Are volunteers actively involved?
3. Access and Engagement
   • Does the project help people experience or understand nature?
   • Are improvements appropriate and sensitive to wildlife?

What makes a strong application

Successful applications usually:

• Clearly explain what will change for wildlife
• Include practical actions (e.g. planting, restoration, habitat creation)
• Show local support and involvement
• Are realistic and deliverable
• Provide good value for money

What to include in your application

Please make sure you:

• Describe the specific work you will carry out
• Explain how it benefits wildlife
• Show how the community will be involved
• Provide a clear cost breakdown
• State how the project will be maintained in the future

Previous grants

If your organisation has received a grant from this scheme before:

• You must have completed the project as agreed
• Failure to do so may affect your eligibility

Before you apply

Ask yourself:

• Does this project directly improve wildlife or habitats?
• Is the benefit clear and meaningful?
• Are local people actively involved?

If the answer is yes, your project is likely a good fit.

Apply for a community wildlife grant

The closing dates to apply are 1 April and 1 September each year.

What happens next?

We will let you know if you are successful within four weeks of the relevant closing date.

If approved, we will send you an offer letter.  This will confirm the level of grant you are eligible to claim.

You must not undertake any work before receiving a written offer.

We will make the final payment of the grant when:

• we have received your receipts for all pre-agreed expenses
• we are satisfied the work is complete