There are a variety of funding sources available for pond creation and management projects. These are open to different groups e.g. community groups, schools and conservation groups as well as individuals.
Here is a list of organisations which have funded pond related projects in the past. Inclusion on this list is no guarantee that funds are still available for pond projects and therefore applicants should contact the relevant organisation directly for further information. Please let us know if you hear of any new funding schemes or ones on the list that are now redundant at info@pondconservation.org.uk
Thank you!
Government Funding
For details of funds available through government departments visit www.governmentfunding.org.uk; there is a subscription charge for use of the website.
Funds for Biodiversity Action Plan species
Ponds of high ecological quality now have Habitat Action Plan status. So if the work would result in the creation of a pond with high quality potential, or improvements to a site so that the pond can then support Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species, then this would qualify it for more funding streams. Organisations providing funds for BAP species ponds are:
Grantscape: www.grantscape.org.uk; local and national funding programmes
Biffaward: www.biffaward.org, up to £50,000
Wren: www.wren.org.uk
SITA Trust: www.sitatrust.org.uk/apply/nature
Green Award Partnership www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/grants; Lancs only, £500
Entrust: www.entrust.org.uk is the regulator of the Landfill Community Fund, visit the website to search for LCFs available in your local area.
ARG: 100% grants are available for small pond creation and management projects for amphibian and reptile species www.arg-uk.org.uk
Community Awards
Some funds are specifically for local community groups,
including: British Dragonfly Society www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/grants
The Peter Miller School Ponds Fund for £250 towards the cost of building a new pond in schools is currently suspended until further notice (June 2011).
HLF Awards for All: www.awardsforall.org.uk up to £5,000
B & Q: Waste donation scheme operated through all stores:
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/corporate/content/environment_ethics/ethics/community/waste_donation.jsp
Lincolnshire County Council Grants for Pond and Wetland Creation: Grants for Pond and Wetland Creation for up to £500 for 50% of costs, in Lincolnshire.
Leicestershire County Council’s grants – SHIRE Community Environmental Improvement Grant; open to parish council’s, schools, charities, and community projects in Leicestershire for up to 50% of cost to a max grant of £10,000. www.leics.gov.uk/shire
Watermark Awards Wessex Water:
www.wessexwater.co.uk/about/threecol.aspx?id=174, £500 - £1,500. Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol, Dorset and parts of Hampshire and Gloucestershire
SITA Trust: www.sitatrust.org.uk/apply/community, up to £50,000
Co-operative Community Fund: has also funded pond projects in the past: www.co-operative.coop/membership/Community-Fund
Funds for pond projects in England
Kent Community Foundation Grassroots Grants: Kent only; www.kentcf.org.uk
Norfolk County Council Countryside Conservation Grant Scheme:
Towards work that enhances biodiversity or landscape in the Norfolk countryside. Further details available here
BASC: have funding available for conservation projects on shoots via their Wildlife Habitat Trust page: www.wht.org.uk
Naturesave Trust: www.naturesave.co.uk
John Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust: www.jpgettytrust.org.uk
Funds for projects in Wales
You can download a list of funders for Wales here.
