Lancashire Environmental Fund Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1.34 million (2024)
• Total Distributed Since 1998: £30+ million
• Success Rate: 52 projects funded in 2024
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (Green Grants)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £30,000
• Geographic Focus: Lancashire (excluding Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen)

Contact Details

Website: www.lancsenvfund.org.uk

Email: general@lancsenvfund.org.uk

Phone: 01772 317247

Address: The Barn, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire

Administrator Contact: elizabethmorgan@lancsenvfund.org.uk

Overview

Established in 1998, the Lancashire Environmental Fund Limited (LEF) is a partnership between SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, Lancashire County Council, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, and Community Futures. Over 25 years, the fund has supported more than 1,200 projects with over £30 million in Landfill Communities Fund grants sourced from landfill tax credits. The fund's mission is to support community and environmental projects that benefit both people and the environment of Lancashire. In 2024 alone, LEF awarded over £1.34 million to 52 projects across Lancashire. Projects funded have included improvements to community facilities, habitat creation and restoration, enhancements to parks and green spaces, play areas, recreational facilities, and biodiversity initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Green Grants: Up to £1,000

• For small standalone projects
• Includes energy efficiency measures at community facilities (insulation, double glazing, water saving, low energy lighting)
• 6-8 week turnaround on applications
• Rolling basis applications

Small Grants: £3,000 - £15,000

• Up to 75% of total project cost (25% match funding required)
• Overall project cost must not exceed £30,000
• For medium-scale environmental and community projects

Main Grants: Up to £30,000

• Up to 80% of total project cost (20% match funding required)
• Overall project cost must not exceed £300,000
• For larger environmental and community projects
• Co-funding of 10% of total costs requested from third parties

Priority Areas

Projects must meet Landfill Tax Credit Scheme criteria:

• Public Amenities and Parks: Providing and maintaining public amenities and parks within 10 miles of a landfill site that benefit the natural, social or built environment
• Habitat and Species Conservation: Provision, conservation, restoration or enhancement of natural habitats, maintenance or recovery of species
• Historic Buildings: Restoring and repairing buildings for religious worship or of architectural/historical interest within 10 miles of a landfill site

Project Types Funded:

• Improvements to community facilities
• General environmental improvements
• Creation and management of habitats
• Improvements to parks, gardens, open spaces
• Play areas and recreational facilities
• Ponds, canals and rivers restoration
• Natural biodiversity enhancement

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Exclusions:

• Projects outside of Lancashire County
• Projects within the unitary authorities of Blackpool
• Projects within the unitary authorities of Blackburn with Darwen

Ready to write a winning application for Lancashire Environmental Fund Limited?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Lancashire Environmental Fund Limited is registered as charity number 1074983. Trustees receive no remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity and are responsible for controlling the work, management and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries.

The fund operates as a partnership between:

• SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd
• Lancashire County Council
• The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
• Community Futures

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: Any nonprofit, charity, trust, community group, voluntary organisation or parish/community council can apply. Organisations do not need to be registered as Environmental Bodies (EB) with Entrust.

Green Grants:

• Applications can be submitted at any time on a rolling basis
• Fill in the appropriate application form
• 6-8 week turnaround on applications

Small and Main Grants:

• Applications must be submitted as hard copy
• Must be received by 5pm on the day of the deadline
• Enclose all relevant documents and supporting materials (maps, plans, photos)
• Submit to: general@lancsenvfund.org.uk

Key Requirements:

• Projects must fit with LEF's strategies for sustainable development and local community action
• Must have environmental benefit
• Must allow public access
• Must offer good value for money

Decision Timeline

Green Grants: 6-8 week turnaround from submission to decision

Small and Main Grants: Specific timelines not published, but applicants are notified of decisions following board review

Success Rates

In 2024, LEF awarded grants to 52 projects totaling over £1.34 million, demonstrating active grantmaking. Over 25 years, the fund has supported more than 1,200 projects with over £30 million in funding.

Reapplication Policy

If you have already received a grant from LEF, you must wait at least 12 months from the previous project completion date before applying for another project at the same location.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder:

• “Provide as much detail as you can for each section of the proposal”
• Enclose all relevant documents where requested and supporting documents (maps, plans, photos) as “failure to attach the necessary documents will delay the assessment of your application”
• Contact the fund directly if uncertain about eligibility

Recent Successful Projects (2024):

• Rhyddings Park, Oswaldthistle (near Accrington): Awarded £30,000 for a new play area, including an inclusive roundabout and swing seat to ensure children of all abilities can play together
• The Chai Centre, Daneshouse, Burnley: Received £21,682 to introduce outdoor growing and kitchen facilities, including a polytunnel and outdoor growing spaces for weekly volunteering sessions promoting healthy living and community engagement

Key Success Factors:

• Projects that combine environmental benefit with community access
• Clear demonstration of how the project meets Landfill Tax Credit Scheme criteria
• Strong evidence of public benefit and accessibility
• Good value for money
• Clear match funding arrangements (25% for Small Grants, 20% for Main Grants)
• Complete and well-documented applications with supporting materials
• Projects that support biodiversity, habitat creation, or community facility improvements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Focus: Ensure your project is located within Lancashire County boundaries, excluding Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen unitary authorities
• Public Access Requirement: All projects must allow public access—this is a critical eligibility criterion
• Match Funding: Be prepared to secure 20-25% match funding for Small and Main Grants; only Green Grants (up to £1,000) may not require match funding
• Environmental Benefit: Projects must demonstrate clear environmental benefit aligned with habitat conservation, biodiversity, or public amenity provision
• Complete Documentation: Submit thorough applications with all supporting documents (maps, plans, photos) to avoid delays in assessment
• Start with Green Grants: For smaller organizations or first-time applicants, Green Grants offer a lower barrier to entry with faster turnaround times (6-8 weeks)
• Partnership Approach: The fund values projects that align with its partnership ethos—consider how your project connects with broader Lancashire environmental and community strategies

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• National Highways
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• THE CORTON HILL TRUST
• John Ellerman Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Banister Charitable Trust
• The Golden Bottle Trust
• THE RUFFORD FOUNDATION
• Q Charitable Trust
• The Helvellyn Foundation
• KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
• National Lottery
• THE RIVERS TRUST
• THE BIG GIVE TRUST
• HENOCQ LAW TRUST
• CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE LINDER FOUNDATION
• THE GERALD MICKLEM CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE PENCHANT FOUNDATION

References

• Lancashire Environmental Fund Official Website. “About.” www.lancsenvfund.org.uk..
• Lancashire Environmental Fund Official Website. “Apply.” www.lancsenvfund.org.uk/apply.html..
• Lancashire County Council. “Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF).” www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/grants/community-team-support/lancashire-environmental-fund/..
• Charity Commission for England and Wales. “Lancashire Environmental Fund Limited - Charity Number 1074983.” register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1074983..
• Environmental Grants. “Lancashire Environmental Fund - LEF.” www.environmentalgrants.org/donor-profile-lancashire-environmental-fund/..
• Lancashire Evening Post. “Over £1.34 million Awarded to Environmental and Community Projects Across Lancashire in 2024.” www.lep.co.uk/lifestyle/money/over-ps134-million-awarded-to-environmental-and-community-projects-across-lancashire-in-2024-5214686..
• Community Futures. “Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF) Annual Event.” communityfutures.org.uk/index.php/2024/09/26/lancashire-environmental-fund-lef-annual-event/..