Heritage and Nature Grants
Our Heritage and Nature programme funds work that will preserve land or buildings of beauty or historic interest, including the preservation of animals and plant life, in Wiltshire.
Priorities
We usually expect buildings to be listed, Grade 2* or above. Where this is not the case, we would ask for evidence of significant architectural and/or historic interest.
For applications involving the preservation of land, we ask for evidence of beauty, drawing on the elements covered in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty criteria:
- landscape quality, where natural or man-made landscape is good quality
- scenic quality, such as striking landforms
- relative wildness, such as distance from housing or having few roads
- relative tranquillity, where natural sounds, such as streams or birdsong are predominant
- natural heritage features, such as distinctive geology or species and habitat
- cultural heritage, which can include the built environment that makes the area unique, such as archaeological remains or historic parkland
Whilst the work to be funded should focus on the preservation of land or buildings, the applicant should also demonstrate how the community will benefit from the grant. For example, this could be through volunteering opportunities, being open to the public for visits, arranging education opportunities or providing a space for local community events.
Grants
Each year, the Foundation will make two or three small grants (usually between £5,000 - £8,000) or one larger grant (usually £15,000 - £18,000). The grant can be spent on core or project costs. For capital works, the grant ideally funds a discrete project in full (or in part where the applicant is confident the rest of the funds have been or will be secured).
Applicants have a period of 12 months to spend the grant and complete the project. Therefore, should plan to start spending the grant within 6 months of award.
Application process
The programme is not open to unsolicited applications. The Foundation periodically runs an ‘Expressions of Interest’ process to gather information about local projects being planned over the next three years. This will be conducted with the help of relevant local networks.
When we are not running a formal EOI you can still register an interest via this webpage and we will contact you when the next grant round is due.
Each year, the Foundation invites one or more organisations to apply for a grant, aiming to balance heritage and nature projects over time.
What types of organisations can apply
You can apply for funding if you are a:
- constituted voluntary or community organisation or a
- registered charity or a
- not-for-profit company, including Community Interest Companies where: the majority of directors receive no payment from the company, it is limited by guarantee* and has a suitable asset lock clause
*If the CIC is limited by shares, please speak to us before applying.
You also need to be a:
- a local organisation based and operating in Wiltshire &/or Swindon (this can include local branches of national organisations with your own management committee based in Wiltshire or Swindon and bank account).
or
- an organisation based outside Wiltshire/Swindon that meets the following:
- applying for work in Wiltshire &/or Swindon
- the majority of your other services are in counties neighbouring Wiltshire/Swindon
- have worked collaboratively with local people to identify need and the best way to address issues
- have a good understanding of other services in the area you propose to serve and not duplicating support already on offer
Your organisation must have:
- an active Voluntary Management Committee or Directors or Trustees of at least three people who are not:
- related to each other or in a long-term relationship
- living at the same address
- a constitution appropriate to the size and structure of the organisation
- a safeguarding policy in the name of the organisation, that is regularly reviewed and updated and with a named safeguarding lead
- an equalities policy in the name of the organisation
Safeguarding and equalities policies should reflect current legislation and the activities and scope of your organisation. Further guidance on safeguarding and equalities is available here
Your organisation needs the following financial arrangements and documents:
- a bank account in the name of the organisation with two signatories who are not related to each other
- an appropriate level of reserves for the size and nature of your organisation. We would expect your unrestricted reserves to represent less than 12 months running costs
- financial records or accounts showing income, expenditure and reserves for the most recent financial year
- a financial plan or budget showing this year's expected income, expenditure and reserves.
- a recent bank statement – we will need this to be able to pay you your grant if you are awarded
If you don't have some of the documents mentioned above, please talk to us for further advice. New organisations who do not have some of the above in place may be able to apply through another charitable organisation.
What can the grant pay for
What can the grant pay fpor?
What can the grant be used for?
- any reasonable costs for your organisation or project (where this will enable you to preserve a building or land of beauty or historic interest) including:
- core or running costs
- project and activity costs
- capital costs (buildings and equipment) – if seeking funding for a larger project you must already have the rest of the funds secured e.g. if your project will cost £50,000 and you are being considered for a grant of £18,000 you must know where the other £32,000 will be funded from.
Who or what must benefit from the grant?
The building or land being preserved must be within in Wiltshire.
The community benefits of your project must be for people living in Wiltshire.
What we do not fund:
- For buildings - activities or work not directly related to the preservation of the historic features of an eligible building e.g. conversion of a listed building for community use, general maintenance work
- For land – activities or work not directly related to the conservation of significant natural features or protected/endangered species e.g. creation of community gardens
- preservation of collections or objects
- preservation of church buildings
- money to individuals or families
- one-off or sponsored events
- the advancement of religion
- medical research and equipment
- animal welfare
- party political activities
Who we don't fund:
- individuals
- schools
- statutory bodies such as city, county or parish councils or health institutions
- charities that operate nationally
We are currently seeking expressions of interest for grants to be awarded in 2026/27. If your organisation is responsible for conserving a natural space or heritage building, you can register an interest here to find out if your project is eligible. Applications are by invitation only, typically in the autumn with grants awarded in February or March. Please note: the priority for 2026/27 is for heritage buildings.