GrantRadar

Mendip Hills National Landscape

Mendip Hills Fund

The Mendip Hills Fund, run in partnership with Somerset Community Foundation, gives community groups in the Mendip Hills National Character Area grants of up to £2,000 (typically £1,000) for work that conserves the landscape, helps people enjoy and understand it, or supports local social and economic wellbeing. It is closed now; the 2027 application window runs from 4 January to 31 March 2027. In 2025 it supported 17 groups with grants from £390 to £2,000.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£390 – £2,000
Deadline
164 days left
31 March
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Community groups based in the Mendip Hills National Character Area 141 (which runs up to but not including Frome), or adjacent areas where benefit to the Mendip Hills can be demonstrated, that are actively involved in conserving the landscape, promoting its enjoyment and understanding, or supporting local social/economic wellbeing
  • Groups must meet Somerset Community Foundation's minimum standards: e.g. charities/CIOs with at least 3 unrelated trustees; community groups with a governing document with charitable aims run by at least 3 unrelated members (registered with the Charity Commission if income is regularly over £5,000); trading CICs or community benefit societies with at least 3 unrelated directors; a bank account needing two unrelated signatories; annual accounts; no more than 12 months' running costs in free reserves without a reserves policy; and a safeguarding policy reviewed within 12 months
  • Private companies and political groups are excluded

What it funds

Projects that benefit the Mendip Hills National Landscape or encourage people to access it, through conservation of landscape and environment, public understanding and enjoyment, or the social and economic wellbeing of local communities. Suggested ideas:

  • Educational activities, visits or events
  • Outreach projects welcoming disadvantaged groups
  • Maintaining natural or historic features
  • Conservation or environmental projects and conservation equipment
  • Information provision such as leaflets, websites and information boards
  • Enhancing community facilities (toilets, benches, pathways)
  • Start-up costs for new social enterprises
  • Community enterprises such as play areas and community shops

Past grants funded forest school sessions, replacing climbing bolts in Cheddar Gorge, keeping public toilets open and new benches.

How to apply

  1. Check your group is in (or can show benefit to) the Mendip Hills National Character Area and meets Somerset Community Foundation's minimum standards
  2. Optionally contact Kirsty Campbell at Somerset Community Foundation (01749 597127) or book a consultation
  3. Complete the online application form on the Somerset Community Foundation fund page during the window, 4 January - 31 March 2027
  4. A panel of trustees and independent members assesses applications

The online form is only available while the window is open.

Have ready

  • Recent bank statement showing account name, number and sort code
  • Most recent annual accounts (no more than 18 months old; new groups may apply without)
  • Governing document
  • Safeguarding policy dated within the last 12 months

Documents are from Somerset Community Foundation's general minimum standards, not a fund-specific list.

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