South Downs National Park Trust

Charity Number: 1174975

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M

Geographic Focus: East Sussex, Hampshire, West Sussex

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £873,407 (2021-22, most recent available data)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Varies by fund; decisions typically made end of November/early December for seasonal rounds
Grant Range: £100 - £25,000 (depending on program)
Geographic Focus: South Downs National Park area (Hampshire and Sussex)

Contact Details

Website: www.southdownstrust.org.uk
Email: grants@southdowns.gov.uk
Phone: 01730 819223 (Grants Officer)
General Contact: JAMES.WINKWORTH@SOUTHDOWNS.GOV.UK

Pre-application Support: The Trust actively encourages initial conversations about projects before formal applications. Contact Miriam Swan, Grants Officer, to discuss project ideas.

Overview

The South Downs National Park Trust (Charity Number 1174975, Company Number 10719031) is the official charity of the South Downs National Park, established to work with environmental experts, National Park rangers, and local communities to find and fund projects that enhance and improve the National Park. Led by James Winkworth as Head of Charity since its founding, the Trust has grown from zero to a £2m organization within seven years. In 2021-22, the Trust raised £873,407 from all sources, with unrestricted funds reaching £149,320. The Trust's strategic approach focuses on supporting projects that deliver the South Downs National Park Partnership Management Plan, with emphasis on nature recovery, community engagement, youth education, and climate action. Recent initiatives include the “Pounds for Ponds” program aiming to invest around £1m to create and restore 100 ponds by 2030.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. ReNature Fund: £2,000 - £25,000

Next application round: 2026
Supports creation of new nature sites and improved management of existing sites for biodiversity
Application method: Enquiry form submission, followed by full application when round opens

2. Sustainable Communities Fund: £500 - £10,000

Covers up to 50% of project costs
Rolling basis (seasonal opening/closing)
Supports community groups contributing to National Park Management Plan
Application method: Initial conversation with Grants Officer encouraged

3. Pounds for Ponds Fund: Up to £25,000

Dedicated to dew pond creation and restoration
Part of £1m initiative to create/restore 100 ponds by 2030
Application method: Make an enquiry basis

4. Youth Action Fund: £100 - £2,000

Empowers young people aged 12-25 to engage with the National Park
Current status varies (check website for availability)

5. OVCA Community Pitch: Up to £5,000

Partnership with National Lottery Community Fund and Lewes District Council
Crowdfunding element required (minimum 10% from donations)
Target: East Sussex organizations
Application method: Fixed deadline (February annually)

Priority Areas

Nature and Biodiversity: Creating and managing sites for wildlife, wildflower corridors and meadows for pollinators, hedgerow enhancement, woodland planting
Pond and Water Feature Restoration: Dew pond restoration and creation
Community Engagement: Projects bringing social, environmental, economic, or cultural benefits to National Park communities
Environmental Education: School trips, outdoor learning programs, interpretation panels
Youth Engagement: Projects empowering young people to connect with nature
Climate Action: Sustainability projects reducing carbon usage, supporting nature, and enhancing wellbeing

What They Don't Fund

Work already undertaken or completed
Recoverable VAT
Fulfilling statutory obligations or planning consent requirements
Typical organizational expenditure on salaries and overheads (for most programs)
Projects for financial gain to for-profit businesses
Projects outside the National Park boundary (exceptions may apply for specific programs)

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Governance and Leadership

Key Staff

James Winkworth - Head of Charity

Two decades of experience in commercial, fundraising, and communications sectors
Led the Trust for seven years, building it from zero to a £2m organization
Now also serves as Director of Growth and Organisational Development at South Downs National Park Authority
Trustee of National Parks UK Foundation and Hampshire Cultural Trust

James Winkworth's stated priorities include: “I am passionate about the South Downs becoming a UK leader in green finance, with businesses of all sizes being able to invest in exemplar biodiversity schemes in the National Park.”

Sophie Ritson - Fundraising Development Manager

Miriam Swan - Grants Officer (Primary contact for grant enquiries)

Victoria Crespi - Funding and Impact Officer

Trustee Structure

The Trust operates as a registered charity with trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust works in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority but operates as an independent entity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications vary by program:

For Sustainable Communities Fund:

No downloadable application form
Initial conversation with Grants Officer strongly encouraged
Contact: 01730 819223 or grants@southdowns.gov.uk

For ReNature Fund:

Submit an enquiry form to grants@southdowns.gov.uk
Receive feedback from Trust staff
Wait for full application dates announcement
Submit full application when round opens
Applications over £5,000 reviewed by grant panel

For OVCA Community Pitch:

Prepare written Community Pitch and 60-second video
Submit by fixed deadline (typically February)
Shortlisted projects set up with donations page
Must raise minimum 10% through crowdfunding

General Approach:

Funds open and close seasonally
Monitor website and social media for opening dates
Expression of interest stage often precedes full applications

Decision Timeline

Decisions typically made at end of November/early December for seasonal rounds
Grant panels meet to decide applications over £5,000
Notification methods not publicly specified
Seasonal calendar affects both opening and closing dates

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust has successfully distributed over £90,000 for dew pond restoration (8 ponds), over £100,000 for school trips (reaching 12,000+ children), and made numerous community grants.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated. Given the seasonal nature of funds and the Trust's encouragement of pre-application conversations, unsuccessful applicants are advised to contact the Grants Officer to discuss improving future applications.

Application Success Factors

Advice from the Funder

Pre-application Engagement: The Trust consistently emphasizes the importance of initial conversations before formal applications. This suggests they value collaborative development of project proposals.

In-kind Contributions: From ReNature guidance, applicants are advised to include in-kind contributions such as:

Use of equipment (tools, mowers)
Days of paid labor supplied by organizations
Volunteer time (be specific about number of days)
Donated materials and plants

Additional Outcomes: Outline broader benefits including:

Volunteering opportunities
Published educational materials
Educational visits
Research studies

Planning Permission: Contact local planning office early to determine if permission is needed

Strategic Alignment: Projects must demonstrably contribute to the South Downs National Park Partnership Management Plan

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

Arundel Community Orchard: Creating wildlife haven for the town
Magdalen Hill Down dew pond restoration: £13,000 to Butterfly Conservation
Meadow management training in Winchester area: Free scything training for locals
School trips program: Over £100,000 enabling 12,000+ children to access the National Park
Bee Lines initiative: Creating wildflower patches for pollinator recovery
Lost Railway at Bramber interpretation project

Language and Terminology

The Trust uses language focused on:

“Nature recovery” and “biodiversity”
“Community benefits” (social, environmental, economic, cultural)
“Delivering the Partnership Management Plan”
“Bigger, better, and more joined up habitat areas” (for nature sites)
“Enhancing and improving the National Park”

Key Success Indicators

Projects are judged on:

Proposed outcomes for biodiversity
Value for money
Ongoing management plans (particularly for land-based projects)
Community outcomes and benefits
Cash and management contributions (especially for commercial/private landowner applicants)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Pre-application dialogue is essential: The Trust actively encourages initial conversations and views this as part of the application process. Use this opportunity to shape your proposal with their input.

Strategic alignment is paramount: Explicitly demonstrate how your project delivers the South Downs National Park Partnership Management Plan. Use the Trust's own language around nature recovery, community benefits, and biodiversity outcomes.

Quantify in-kind contributions: Be specific about volunteer days, donated materials, equipment use, and other non-cash contributions. This demonstrates community buy-in and value for money.

Long-term management matters: Particularly for nature and land-based projects, demonstrate a clear plan for ongoing management beyond the grant period.

Seasonal timing is critical: Funds open and close according to seasonal calendars. Monitor the website and social media channels regularly, and get your expression of interest in early.

Biodiversity outcomes are prioritized: Even for community projects, emphasize nature and wildlife benefits where possible. The Trust's core mission centers on environmental enhancement.

Partnership approach welcomed: The Trust values collaborative working with National Park staff and actively offers guidance to strengthen proposals. Seek this support early in the process.