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.
- Applications open = 24th June 2025
- Deadline = 21st July 2025
- Grants awarded = September 2025
If you need advice and support completing an application, please use our Access Support Fund.
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.
