Ecological Restoration Fund

Charity Number: 1199692

Annual Expenditure: £13.8M
Throughout England

Contact Info

Website: https://ecorestorationfund.org/

Phone: 020 7605 1363

Email: info@ecologicalrestorationfund.org

Be the first to know about new funding opportunities

Get notified when we add new funders to the directory

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £46.35 million (2022-2024 total)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only model)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: £150,000 - £9 million (based on known awards)
  • Geographic Focus: UK, Europe, and globally (29 countries to date)

Contact Details

  • Website: https://ecorestorationfund.org/
  • Email: info@ecologicalrestorationfund.org or enquiries@ecorestorationfund.org
  • Phone: 020 7605 1363
  • Address: 12 Penzance Place, London W11 4PA

Important Note: ERF does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. They proactively identify potential grantees through their board, team, and networks.

Overview

The Ecological Restoration Fund (ERF) was established in 2022 by Daniel Hotz as a dedicated grant-making foundation. From 2022 to the end of 2024, ERF granted £46.35 million to 47 organisations across 29 countries worldwide. The fund supports evidence-based solutions to conserve, protect, and regenerate nature, with a particular focus on protecting biodiversity hotspots, rejuvenating degraded landscapes, and promoting environmental activism across the UK and Europe. ERF aligns its work with global commitments including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. The fund offices are co-located with the Sigrid Rausing Trust in West London and represents a significant new force in ecological restoration funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

ERF operates through strategic, invitation-only partnerships rather than open grant programs. Known grant amounts include:

  • Major Multi-Year Partnerships: £3-9 million (e.g., Rewilding Europe received £9 million over three years; The Wildlife Trusts received £6 million; BirdLife International/RSPB received £3 million)
  • Targeted Project Grants: £150,000-£425,000 (e.g., Beaver Trust received £150,000; European Environmental Bureau received £425,000)

Application Method: Invitation-only. ERF does not accept unsolicited applications. The board, team, and networks identify and recommend organisations best placed to make a difference.

Priority Areas

ERF funds practical initiatives across three core themes:

  1. Biodiversity Protection: Conservation of biodiverse hotspots and critical ecosystems, including forests, freshwater systems, marine and coastal areas, wetlands, wildlife habitats, deserts, and mountains
  1. Landscape Restoration: Rejuvenating degraded land and seascapes through rewilding, species reintroductions, and ecosystem regeneration
  1. Environmental Governance: Supporting effective and enforceable laws and policies that safeguard critical ecosystems for the long term, including environmental advocacy work

Special Consideration: ERF gives particular consideration to projects that create social, cultural, and economic opportunities for local communities, especially Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly listed, ERF's invitation-only model means they focus exclusively on:

  • Evidence-based conservation solutions
  • Organizations with proven track records
  • Projects aligned with UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and Global Biodiversity Framework
  • Work within their geographic scope (UK, Europe, and select international partners)

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Chair: Daniel Hotz founded ERF in 2022. Hotz believes that “nature is not separate from humanity” and that restoring ecosystems is crucial for addressing global challenges including water security, food production, and climate resilience.

Trustees: Dr. Sigrid Rausing and Dr. Lisbet Rausing serve as trustees, bringing significant philanthropic expertise from the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

Executive Director: Lenke Bálint joined ERF as Executive Director, bringing over 13 years of experience developing and strengthening biodiversity conservation organisations in Eastern and Southern Europe, Central Asia, the Mediterranean, West Africa, and the Pacific. She oversees all of ERF's grants, programmes, and activities while supporting strategic planning and governance.

Key Quote: “We are the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet” - María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (featured in ERF materials)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

ERF does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. The fund operates through a proactive, invitation-based model where the board, team, and networks identify and recommend organisations best placed to make a difference.

For general enquiries: enquiries@ecorestorationfund.org

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, as ERF works strategically to identify and approach potential grantees rather than processing applications on a set schedule.

Success Rates

Not applicable - ERF does not operate an open application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - ERF identifies and invites organisations to partner with them. Several organisations have received multiple grants (e.g., European Environmental Bureau received a second grant of £425,000).

Application Success Factors

Given ERF's invitation-only model, organisations seeking to position themselves for potential ERF partnership should consider:

Strategic Positioning

  • Build a Strong Track Record: ERF partners with established organisations demonstrating proven impact in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration
  • Geographic Alignment: Focus on UK, European, or internationally significant biodiversity projects across the African-Eurasian Flyway and other critical regions
  • Evidence-Based Approach: ERF emphasizes “evidence-based solutions” - ensure your work is grounded in scientific research and demonstrates measurable outcomes

Successful Grantee Examples

  • Rewilding Europe (£9 million over three years): Large-scale landscape restoration and rewilding across multiple European sites
  • The Wildlife Trusts (£6 million): Rewilding projects, keystone species reintroduction, marine and coastal habitat protection
  • BirdLife International/RSPB (£3 million): Conservation along the African-Eurasian Flyway working with in-country partner organisations
  • Beaver Trust (£150,000): Species reintroduction and habitat restoration in Britain
  • European Environmental Bureau (£425,000): Environmental advocacy supporting the #RestoreNature coalition

Language and Terminology

ERF uses terminology emphasizing:

  • “Transformational change” and “long-term benefits”
  • “Locally rooted, impact-driven organizations”
  • “Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities”
  • “Holistic approach” considering ecological and community impacts
  • “Scaling efforts” of effective organizations

Relationship Building

  • Network Connections: ERF relies on board, team, and network recommendations. Building relationships within the conservation sector increases visibility
  • Coalition Work: Several grantees are part of collaborative initiatives (e.g., #RestoreNature coalition)
  • Demonstrate Community Impact: ERF explicitly values projects creating “dynamic economic, social, and cultural opportunities for local communities”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • ERF operates invitation-only - you cannot submit an unsolicited application. Focus on building your organisation's reputation and visibility in the conservation sector
  • Scale matters - ERF makes substantial, transformational grants ranging from £150,000 to £9 million, targeting organisations capable of delivering large-scale impact
  • Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities receive particular consideration - projects that meaningfully engage and benefit these groups are prioritized
  • Evidence-based solutions are essential - demonstrate rigorous scientific grounding and measurable outcomes in your conservation work
  • Multi-year partnerships are common - ERF invests in long-term relationships rather than one-off grants, with several organisations receiving multiple awards
  • Align with global frameworks - ERF explicitly supports work related to the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and Global Biodiversity Framework
  • Build sector relationships - since ERF identifies grantees through networks, being well-connected and visible in the conservation community is crucial

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References