Peak District National Park Foundation

Charity Number: 1182136

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £487,000 (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 10 working days (Connect Fund)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
  • Geographic Focus: Peak District National Park boundary

Contact Details

Website: www.peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk

Email: hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 01629 700606

Address: Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE

For application support or questions about completing forms, contact the team directly at the email or phone number above.

Overview

The Peak District National Park Foundation was established in 2019, ahead of the Peak District National Park's 70th anniversary, as an independent charity dedicated to raising funds and support for the Peak District. With an annual giving of approximately £487,000 (2023/24), the Foundation operates with three staff members and support from seven trustees. The Foundation's core operating costs are secured through a grant from the Peak District National Park Authority until 2026, allowing 85% of donations to go directly toward project delivery. The Foundation's mission is to “grow income and support to care for the Peak District National Park for everyone to enjoy forever,” with strategic priorities focused on preparing for future climate challenges, conservation and habitat restoration, and making the National Park accessible to all.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Connect Fund

£500 maximum (fixed amount, rolling deadlines)

Designed to remove barriers for disadvantaged and marginalized communities to access the Peak District National Park. Covers transport costs, learning provider fees, activity equipment, and participant meals (up to £6 per person). Applications accepted five times per year on fixed deadlines. Schools can apply once per academic year; community groups once per calendar year. Decisions made within 10 working days.

Community Nature Fund

£500 - £5,000 (annual deadline)

Supports community projects creating, increasing, or improving spaces for nature within the Peak District National Park boundary. Projects may include wildflower meadows, hedgerows, trees, ponds, community orchards, or other nature initiatives. Grants support capital expenditure only. Applicants must be the landowner or have landowner permission. Equipment and built items must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years.

Priority Areas

  • Access and Inclusion: Projects that enable disadvantaged groups, ethnically diverse communities, low-income families, and people with disabilities to experience and enjoy the National Park
  • Biodiversity and Conservation: Habitat restoration, moorland conservation, woodland management, and protection of rare species
  • Climate Action: Projects preparing the landscape for future climate challenges
  • Community Engagement: Supporting local communities in conservation work and environmental education
  • Path Restoration and Access Infrastructure: Maintaining and improving access routes such as the Monsal and Tissington trails

What They Don't Fund

Connect Fund Exclusions:

  • Tourist attraction entry fees
  • Ongoing organizational running expenses
  • Staff wages
  • Vehicle maintenance or insurance costs
  • Applications from organizations where the Peak District is not the closest national park

Community Nature Fund Exclusions:

  • Projects outside the Peak District National Park boundary
  • Ongoing running costs or staff wages
  • Sites where applicant is not the landowner or does not have landowner permission
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Jen Lowthrop (Chair): Freelance digital marketer and trainer, trustee for multiple charities and social enterprises. Grew up in the Peak District and has been Chair since the Foundation's launch in February 2019. Led a 1,000-mile walk across England's 10 national parks, raising £10,000 for Peak District projects.
  • Andy Robinson (Treasurer)
  • Alex Waddington
  • Ruth Swetnam
  • Janet Dugdale
  • Steve Turner

Leadership Team

  • Roisin Joyce (Foundation Director, joined July 2023): Provides strategic leadership for the Foundation's fundraising and grant-making activities.
  • Mike Sawkins (Fundraising Manager)
  • Mia Campa (Fundraising Officer)

Leadership Quotes

Roisin Joyce on the importance of community involvement: "This project really shows what's possible when everyone comes together – climbers, walkers, the local community and people from across the country – to donate a little but allow something much bigger to happen."

Roisin Joyce on heritage conservation: "We're thrilled to be awarded this funding, made possible by National Lottery players, to allow development of the first stage of the People of the Peak project. The task of caring for heritage sites across a landscape of this scale is vast and existing monitoring and conservation is not enough. This project will create an inclusive volunteering programme so more people can get directly involved in monitoring and conserving our national heritage."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Connect Fund:

  1. Get cost quotes for your proposed trip
  2. Plan sustainable transport arrangements
  3. Download the application form from the website
  4. Complete the form with all required information
  5. Email completed form to hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk
  6. Visits must take place within 6 months of grant award

Community Nature Fund:

  1. Develop your nature project proposal
  2. Obtain landowner permission if not the landowner
  3. Get cost quotes for capital expenditure
  4. Download and complete the application form
  5. Email completed form to hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk
  6. Await decision notification

Application Deadlines:

  • Connect Fund: 28 February, 30 April, 30 June, 30 September, 30 November (five times annually)
  • Community Nature Fund: 30 January (annual deadline, with decisions by 27 February)

Decision Timeline

Connect Fund: Applicants receive a decision within 10 working days of the application deadline. Successful applicants receive an email confirming the grant.

Community Nature Fund: Decisions communicated by 27 February following the 30 January deadline.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation encourages applicants who need help completing forms to contact them directly, suggesting a supportive approach to applications.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have previously received grants can reapply but must submit a completed evaluation form from the previous project before resubmitting. There is no specific information available about whether unsuccessful applicants can reapply or if there are waiting periods for declined applications. Contact the Foundation directly for clarification on reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Connect Fund

Demonstrated Need: Applications should clearly articulate how the proposed trip will benefit disadvantaged or marginalized groups. Priority is given to:

  • Ethnically diverse groups
  • Groups from low-income areas
  • People with disabilities

Sustainability: The Foundation values sustainable transport planning. Applications should demonstrate consideration of environmental impact in travel arrangements.

Specific Budget Details: Provide detailed cost quotes for transport, activities, and meals. Remember that meal costs are capped at £6 per person.

Proximity Requirement: Ensure the Peak District is the closest national park to your organization, as this is an eligibility requirement.

Community Nature Fund

Biodiversity Focus: Projects should clearly demonstrate how they will create, increase, or improve spaces for nature. Successful projects have included:

  • Rowland Butterfly Conservation Project: Creating butterfly corridors with wildflowers and grass plugs to support the endangered Wall Brown Butterfly
  • The Beeches Community Growing Spaces: Restoring 1.5-acre community growing spaces using agroecological principles
  • Old School Field Improvements, Hayfield: Creating community orchards with wildflowers, hedging, and information panels
  • Beeley Bumblebee and Orchard Project: Restoring village hall orchards and improving pollinator habitats

Community Engagement: Strong applications demonstrate how the project will involve local residents and community groups.

Long-term Sustainability: Be prepared to maintain equipment and built items for at least 5 years. This demonstrates commitment to lasting impact.

Native Species: For planting projects, preference is given to native species that support local biodiversity.

Clear Capital Expenditure: Ensure your budget focuses on capital items rather than ongoing costs, as the fund only supports capital expenditure.

General Application Tips

Contact for Support: The Foundation actively encourages applicants to reach out with questions or for help completing application forms. This suggests they value well-prepared applications and are willing to guide applicants toward success.

Complete Evaluation Requirements: If reapplying after a previous grant, ensure all evaluation forms are submitted promptly, as this is required before the next application can be considered.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Frame your application within the Foundation's three strategic priorities: preparing for future climate challenges, conservation and habitat restoration, and making the National Park accessible to everyone.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Small grants with quick turnarounds: The Connect Fund offers rapid 10-working-day decisions for grants up to £500, making it ideal for schools and community groups needing quick funding for Peak District visits.
  • Focus on disadvantaged communities: Both grant programs prioritize access and inclusion for marginalized groups. Applications should clearly demonstrate impact on ethnically diverse communities, low-income families, or people with disabilities.
  • Capital investment only for nature projects: The Community Nature Fund (£500-£5,000) specifically supports capital expenditure for nature projects. Ensure budgets exclude ongoing costs or staff wages.
  • Geographic restriction is strict: Projects and visits must be within or to the Peak District National Park boundary. For Connect Fund applicants, the Peak District must be the closest national park.
  • Foundation welcomes contact: The team actively encourages applicants to reach out for guidance on completing forms. Use this resource to strengthen applications before submission.
  • Long-term commitment matters: Community Nature Fund projects require 5-year maintenance commitments, demonstrating the Foundation values lasting impact over short-term interventions.
  • Multiple opportunities throughout the year: Connect Fund's five annual deadlines provide flexibility for planning school trips or community visits across the academic or calendar year.

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