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 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 3 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 a grant if you are a:
- constituted voluntary or community organisation
- registered charity
- not-for-profit company including community interest companies where the majority of directors receive no payment from the company
You need to be a:
- local or regional organisation only working in Wiltshire or Swindon or in the south/south west of England
- local branch of a national organisation with a local management committee based in Wiltshire or Swindon and your own bank account
Your organisation must have:
- an active voluntary management committee with at least three people who are not:
- related to each other or in a long-term relationship
- living at the same address
Your organisation needs the following financial arrangements and documents:
- a bank account with two signatories that are not related to each other
- less than 12 months running costs in unrestricted reserves. This means in your end of year financial accounts, Unrestricted reserves (not including Designated funds) must be less than your Expenditure
- financial records or accounts for the last full financial year showing income, expenditure and reserves
- a recent bank statement
- a budget or financial plan for the current year showing expected income and expenditure
- a constitution
- a Safeguarding Policy and an Equal Opportunities Policy. Further guidance is available here
If you don't have any of the documents mentioned above please talk to us and we will help.
New organisations who do not have 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 not currently seeking new applications to this programme until April 2026. However, if your organisation is responsible for conserving an eligible natural space or heritage building which requires funding over the long term you may wish to register an interest here so we can contact you nearer the time.