GrantRadar

Exmoor National Park Authority

Exmoor National Park Partnership Fund

Small grants of up to £2,500 from Exmoor National Park Authority for community and voluntary sector led projects that further National Park purposes: conserving and enhancing Exmoor's wildlife, natural beauty and cultural heritage, or helping the public understand and enjoy its special qualities. The fund usually covers up to 50% of eligible project costs (up to 75% for voluntary groups in exceptional cases), with in-kind contributions such as volunteer time accepted as match. There is a short Expression of Interest before any full application, no fixed deadlines, and the Authority warns funding is currently very limited.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £2,500
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Constituted community groups, charities and other organisations with a constitution or set of rules and a separate bank account; community and voluntary sector led initiatives are the focus
  • Businesses can apply only in exceptional circumstances (for example delivering a community initiative or working in partnership)
  • Individuals cannot apply
  • Informal partnerships apply through a nominated lead partner
  • Applicants do not need to be based inside the National Park, but the project must show clear benefits to Exmoor National Park, have community involvement or support, and show that other funding sources (including your own funds) have been explored

What it funds

Projects that:

  • Further one or both National Park purposes (conservation and enhancement of the wildlife, natural beauty and cultural heritage of Exmoor; promotion of opportunities for public understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities)
  • Make a measurable contribution to the strategic actions/ambitions of the Exmoor National Park Partnership Plan
  • Have community involvement or support
  • Will have lasting benefits beyond the funding period
  • The guidance says generally anything meeting these criteria can be funded, such as:
  • Practical work
  • Research and feasibility projects
  • Education and training
  • Awareness-raising and promotion

The fund can contribute to labour, materials and publicity costs.

Grants normally cover up to 50% of project costs (up to 75% for voluntary groups in exceptional cases); in-kind match (volunteer time, loaned equipment or facilities, free services) is acceptable if costed and evidenced.

Offers last up to 2 years.

What it will not fund

  • Business development
  • Individual living expenses or other individual gain
  • Ongoing or core revenue costs
  • Activities that are statutorily funded
  • Projects seeking funding to use as secondary awards (re-granting)
  • Repairs or maintenance that are the obligation of owners
  • Projects that are religious, political or campaigning in nature
  • Applications from organisations without a constitution or set of rules and a separate bank account
  • Applications from individuals
  • Expenditure incurred before an offer is made and accepted

How to apply

  1. Read the criteria on the Partnership Fund page and the Guidance Notes (PDF); contact PartnershipFund@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or 01398 323665 with questions
  2. Complete and submit the short Expression of Interest form (Word or PDF); staff review it and give feedback on whether a full application is suitable
  3. If invited, complete the full Small Grants Application Form (Word or PDF), covering the project, its fit with National Park purposes and the Partnership Plan, community involvement, outcomes, outputs, VAT status, a cost breakdown and match funding, then sign the declaration and email or post it
  4. The Chief Executive and Leadership Team decide at regular funding rounds; if successful, return the signed acceptance form before starting work
  5. Deliver the project, claim (usually in arrears) by invoicing the fund with a progress update and evidence of expenditure, and submit a short final evaluation report; credit the fund and use its logo in publicity

No fixed deadlines; applications are considered at regular funding rounds (third-party summaries say four times a year).

The Authority says funding is currently very limited and eligible applications are not guaranteed success.

Have ready

  • Expression of Interest form
  • Full application form (by invitation) with signed declaration
  • Breakdown of project costs, including costed in-kind contributions
  • Details of match funding secured or sought (cash and in-kind)

At claim stage you need an invoice to the fund, a progress update and evidence of expenditure such as paid invoices; a final evaluation report is required.

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