Green Fund
In 2024, we asked the Rothschild Foundation’s grant holders about their approach to environmental sustainability. Highlights from what we learnt can be found here.
In response in 2025, we are piloting a Green Fund to explore how we can support our grantees to address the challenge of climate change within their own organisations.
We now ask that all applicants for grants over £5,000 have a sustainability policy or framework to develop environmental improvements in place.
Our Support:
We are pleased to offer Green Fund grants of up to £10,000 for one year. These grants are offered in additional to existing Community and Strategic Fund support. You do not need to be a specialist environmental charity to apply.
Applicants can apply for capital and project funding.
We’re especially interested in activity that will:
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Improve energy efficiency
- Promote biodiversity or restore habitats
- Reduce waste or improve recycling
- Educate or engage your staff, audience or service users on environmental issues
How to Apply:
Only existing Community and Strategic Fund grant holders can apply for support through the Green Fund. You do not need to be a specialist environmental charity to apply.
Applications should be made through our online grants portal and will detail your organisation’s environmental progress to date, proposed future action and a budget.
For more information please email: [email protected]
For support with your application, please see the Access Support Fund below.
What Do We Fund:
We’re interested in supporting grant holders to take action where it would have the greatest impact for their organisation, such as:
- Developing a sustainability audit to inform future action
- Staff and volunteer training to embed environmental improvements
- Installing solar panels or insulation in your building
- Running a composting scheme
- Habitat restoration projects
Learning Together:
Applicants to the Green Fund should expect to be part of a learning journey, exploring what makes a successful approach to encouraging environmental improvements. There will be opportunities for reflection, peer learning and networking over the course of the grant.
Recipients of Green Fund grants will be asked to provide a report on activity and learning after 12 months.
The Green Fund was launched in May 2025. This presentation from the launch webinar shares information about the Rothschild Foundation’s sustainability plans and information about the Green Fund.
We expect that strong applications will:
- Be specific about environmental impact
- Include measurable outcomes
- Have a clear and realistic budget
Exclusions:
We are unable to support the costs of activities that have already taken place. Campaigning or lobbying are also not supported.
FAQs
Who can apply for a grant?
Only organisations who hold either a Community or Strategic Grant from the Rothschild Foundation can apply for a grant.
How much can I apply for?
The maximum grant is £10,000 over one year. The pot is limited so please only apply for what you need.
What can I use the grant for?
We are flexible on the specific application of the grant, as long as it’s used to increase the environmental sustainability of the organisation. Advice, additional staff costs, staff training or capital costs would all be eligible for funding.
What are timescales for applying?
You can apply from the Tuesday 24th June until the deadline of 5pm Monday 21st July. Funding decisions will be announced in September.
We work with our local community on environmental sustainability, could we use the grant to further this?
No, these grants are ring fenced for improving the environmental sustainability of the organisation, not to support the core work of environmental charities.
Can we use the grant for an audit of our environmental sustainability?
Yes.
Do we need an environmental sustainability policy to apply for the grant?
Our most recent survey showed that around half of our funded organisations do not yet have an environmental sustainability policy, so we recognise this is an area where support is needed. We expect applicants to be at different stages in their environmental journey, and not all will have a policy in place at the time of applying. However, for those who don’t, we would expect a policy to be developed and in place by the end of the grant period.
Can the grant be used to for activity which has already taken place?
No, funding cannot be used for completed activity or projects, but it could be used to enhance or scale an existing initiative.
Can I use the grant to contribute to staffing costs?
Yes, if a staff member is taking on additional hours specifically to carry out sustainability work for the organisation, this can be covered by the grant. Otherwise, the grant should be used for direct sustainability improvements within the organisation.
Do you expect to see match funding on capital projects?
No, there is no expectation that any suitable capital projects will need to have match funding. The grant can be used to contribute to a larger sustainability project if needed.
What do we need to do if we get the grant?
We require a report at the end of the grant period to understand what has been achieved and learnt. It is not mandatory, but we will set up a group for shared learning across all funded organisations.
