Grant activity
The grants can be used to support capital costs for items that can be demonstrated to improve energy efficiency and sustainability at your organisation. Examples of sort of things you could apply for include, but are not limited to:
- Energy efficient light bulbs
- Insulation (eg. roof space, doors etc.)
- Foil behind external radiators
- Repairs for draughty windows
- Installing an outside water butt
- Rechargeable batteries for appliances
- Thermal camera
- Bike racks
- Items to prevent single use (eg. non-disposable cups and plates)
- Energy efficient appliances
This is not an exhaustive list. If you are not sure if your project is eligible, please contact us for an informal discussion on 01707 251351 or [email protected]
Grants will be considered for both owned and rented properties. If you are in a rented property then we would need assurance that your organisation will feel the long term benefit of the grant activity, and that your landlord is supportive of any activities that affect the infrastructure of your workspace.
Where possible we would encourage applicants to use this funding to leverage support from other sources, eg. landlords, corporate donors or other grant funds.
Application process
Grant Review meeting
All successful applicants will undergo a Grant Review meeting with an HCF Environmental Sustainability specialist, online, for up to 1 hour. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the impact of the items requested in your grant application AND wider sustainability at your organisation.
Grant review meeting benefits include:
The opportunity to talk to an expert about wider environmental sustainability needs within your specific organisation.
Understanding how the items in your grant request will impact energy efficiency at your organisation, which may result in the amending of requested items in your grant application.
- Discussion and agreement of how to measure the impact of any grant investment
Carbon Literacy Training
Successful completion of the HCF Carbon Literacy Training by at least one individual at the organisation is a condition of this grant. The HCF Carbon Literacy Training courses runs regularly and each grant recipient is entitled to one free place on the course.
Enrolment onto Carbon Literacy training is required for all grant applications. We encourage you to complete the course prior to grant submission, as the knowledge gained will inform your grant request choices. If you’re unable to complete the course in advance, it must be completed within 6 months of the grant submission and the course fee will be refunded if your grant application is successful.
Grant monitoring
All grant recipients must submit monitoring evidence within six months of grant receipt. This includes:
- Invoices/receipts for purchased items.
- Completion of grant feedback questionnaire
- Monitoring data as agreed at Grant Review meeting
- Carbon Literacy Training certificate (dated within 6 months either side of grant submission)
How do I apply?
1. Read the application form introduction to check your organisation meets the eligibility criteria.
2. Complete the online application form. You will be contacted via email to acknowledge receipt of your application within 7 days. Please complete the funded activities section of the application form to the best of your knowledge. These will be discussed in the Grant Review meeting and can be updated if needed. We anticipate grant approval within 2months of application.
2. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the current round of grants will be awarded until 31st January 2025 or until all funding has been allocated.
If you need support in completing the application, please contact us at [email protected]