The Conservation Volunteers Chestnut Fund grant scheme has been designed to support grassroots community groups and initiatives wanting to deliver practical volunteering that improves the natural physical environment and better connections between people and green spaces.
The Chestnut Fund is part of TCV’s commitment to support Community Network members with the applications being considered and administered by TCV Chestnut Fund Committee.
To be eligible groups must:
- have no more than £3,000 unrestricted funds available. This excludes funding from grants or other sources tied to specific projects
- provide proof of a current bank account in the group’s name or, exceptionally have written authorisation to for the money to be held by another accountable body that takes
- responsibility for the legal and financial management of the grant
- provide contact details for at least three people responsible for running the group who are independent of each other
- be a member of TCV’s Community Network. Membership is free and comes with certain benefits. Click here for more details.
The grants fall into two categories – ‘Start-up’ grants and ‘Support’ grants.
Start-up grants: These are for groups who have little or no money when they are first set up and are available to groups in their first year of existence.
The grant will enable them to begin practical work and will cover administrative expenses, e.g. insurance fees, postage, publicity or hire of meeting rooms.
The maximum grant will be £200.
Support grants: These are for groups who have little or no money for tools, equipment and training.
This grant is available to all groups, regardless of how long they have been constituted.
The maximum grant will be £500.
Groups within their first year can apply for both the start-up grant and the support grant. They are keen to support members to make applications and their Community Network Coordinator is available to help you with any questions you may have.