The Energy Saving Trust Foundation

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity: 1144106
• Annual Giving: £669,559 (2023/24)
• Grant Range: Up to £40,000 (over two years)
• Decision Time: 8-10 weeks after funding round closes
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
• Total Awarded: £764,000+ to 22 grantees since establishment
• Application Method: Two-stage process (EOI then full application)

Contact Details

Website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Email: foundation@est.org.uk

Phone: 020 7222 0101

Head of Foundation: Lindsay Marsden

For eligibility questions or informal discussions before applying, contact Lindsay Marsden directly at foundation@est.org.uk

Overview

The Energy Saving Trust Foundation was established in 2014 as the charitable arm of Energy Saving Trust (charity number 1144106, company number 07703610). The Foundation's mission is to promote and advance public education in the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment. With an annual grant distribution of £669,559 (2023/24), the Foundation has awarded over £764,000 to 22 grantees across the UK. The Foundation takes a distinctive approach by focusing exclusively on youth-led climate action, specifically supporting organisations that work with young people experiencing inequality. In partnership with Airbnb (which has donated £500,000), the Foundation operates the Youth Climate Action Fund, prioritising charities with a strong emphasis on youth leadership where young people design and develop their own climate projects. Lindsay Marsden joined as the Foundation's first Head in June 2022, bringing extensive experience from organisations including The National Lottery Community Fund, UK Youth, and Groundwork North Wales.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Climate Action Fund (Partnership with Airbnb)

• Amount: Up to £20,000 per year for two years (£40,000 total)
• Duration: Two-year grants
• Application Method: Two-stage process (Expression of Interest, then full application by invitation)
• Eligibility Restriction: Grant amount cannot exceed 25% of applicant's annual income
• Income Cap: Organisations must have annual income of less than £1 million

Sustainable Youth Curriculum Programme (Northern Ireland focus)

• Funding to deliver the Environment and Sustainability Curriculum developed by Ulster Wildlife for the Education Authority Youth Service
• Seven-stage framework enabling young people to take action on environmental issues of their choosing
• Recent rounds focused on Northern Ireland, though coverage extends UK-wide

Regional Focus: Recent funding rounds have targeted Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, North East England, and North West England, with location determined by areas of high deprivation and need.

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds organisations that:

• Work with young people (specifically those experiencing inequality) on climate change and environmental conservation
• Emphasise youth leadership and enable young people to design and develop their own projects
• Deliver hands-on, action-oriented climate and conservation activities
• Support young people from diverse backgrounds to become environmental leaders
• Engage young people in practical environmental projects (e.g., conservation, marine restoration, climate festivals, training as environmental journalists)

Key Themes:

• Youth-led climate action
• Environmental education and conservation
• Projects addressing climate emergency
• Empowering disadvantaged young people
• Outdoor environmental education and skills development

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations with annual income exceeding £1 million
• Grant requests exceeding 25% of applicant's annual income
• Organisations without existing experience working with children and young people experiencing inequality
• Organisations lacking safeguarding policies and robust safeguarding practices
• Projects not focused on young people and climate/environmental action

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Foundation's trustees meet four times a year to lead on strategy and make final funding decisions.

Jim Metcalfe (Chair)

Principal and Chief Executive of Fife College, one of the UK's largest advanced skills colleges. Previously Chief Executive of College Development Network (CDN) and Head of Projects and Development for Carnegie UK Trust. Also chairs the Energy Saving Trust Remuneration Committee.

Quote from Jim Metcalfe: “This ground-breaking grant investment is all about backing young people to take action in response to the climate emergency” and “Young people across the UK are committed to tackling the climate emergency.”

Other Trustees:

• Daisy: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) lead at Energy Saving Trust, experienced in embedding equity and inclusion within organisational practices, cultures and programmes
• Julian: Deputy Director of Conservation Programmes at WWF UK, passionate advocate for young people and social and climate justice
• Gill: Expertise in strategic and operational leadership, stakeholder engagement and business development

Senior Staff

Lindsay Marsden - Head of Foundation (joined June 2022)

The Foundation's first dedicated Head, with professional background split between income generation and leadership roles in UK charities (Groundwork North Wales, UK Youth) and grant-making/strategy development roles with The National Lottery Community Fund. Contact for eligibility discussions and informal chats about applications.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Application Process:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

• Short expression of interest form
• Assessed on a rolling basis
• Evaluation criteria include: meeting eligibility criteria, geographic location to ensure funding reaches areas of need, experience working with young people experiencing inequality, and ability to deliver high-quality youth climate programmes

Stage 2: Full Application

• By invitation only for shortlisted organisations from Stage 1
• More detailed application including safeguarding information
• May involve conversations with designated safeguarding officers
• Requires demonstration of safeguarding policy and robust practices

Co-Funding: The Foundation accepts applications for co-funding or contributions to projects with multiple funders, but the application must come from one lead partner who manages the funding and has the contractual relationship with the Foundation.

Pre-Application Support: If unclear about eligibility, contact Lindsay Marsden, Head of Foundation, before completing an EOI at foundation@est.org.uk

Decision Timeline

• Review Process: Applications reviewed by Head of Foundation and a second reviewer
• Final Decisions: Made by Foundation board of trustees (board meets four times annually)
• Notification: 8-10 weeks following funding round closing (depending on application volume)
• Method: All applicants notified of outcome; successful applicants receive Grant Offer Letters

Example Timeline (Northern Ireland 2024 round):

• EOI applications opened: 15 March 2024
• EOI deadline: 12 April 2024
• Full application deadline (invited organisations): 10 May 2024
• Decisions made: 27 June 2024
• Notifications sent: Week of 1 July 2024

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However:

• The Foundation has awarded £764,000+ to 22 grantees since establishment
• In 2023/24, committed £669,559 to 18 organisations
• Geographic targeting and eligibility screening at EOI stage helps ensure shortlisted applications have strong chance of success

Reapplication Policy

Organisations can reapply in the next open funding round, whether they have been successful or unsuccessful in previous rounds. There is no restriction on reapplying after an unsuccessful application. Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback on their application, which can inform future submissions.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For

1. Youth Leadership Emphasis: Strong priority given to charities where young people genuinely design and develop their own projects, not just participate in adult-led activities

1. Working with Disadvantaged Young People: Must demonstrate existing experience and capability working with young people experiencing inequality

1. Geographic Targeting: Locations selected based on deprivation levels and existing charity funding gaps (recent focus areas include Northern Ireland, West Midlands, North East and North West England, Scotland, Wales)

1. Robust Safeguarding: Non-negotiable requirement for comprehensive safeguarding policies and practices

1. Deliverability: Ability to deliver high-quality programmes within the funded timeframe

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

• More Music (Morecambe, Lancashire): £40,000 for a climate change festival designed and created by hundreds of children and young people

• Scottish Youth Film Foundation (Edinburgh): Training young people as journalists at Scottish Parliament Festival of Politics, focusing on climate emergency

• South Riverside Community Development Centre (Cardiff): Supporting young people and families to design and develop a bilingual climate change computer game for schools

• Action for Conservation (Greater Manchester and Merseyside): Programme of workshops, inspiration days, residential camps and ambassador programmes for over 300 young people from diverse backgrounds to become environmental leaders

• Windswept CIC (South Pembrokeshire): Marine conservation programme enabling young people to learn conservation and seagrass restoration skills to kickstart careers in outdoor/environmental sector

• West Midlands charities: Four Birmingham and West Bromwich organisations awarded grants for youth-led climate action through the Airbnb partnership

Tips for Standing Out

• Emphasise how young people will have genuine agency in designing and leading the project
• Demonstrate track record working with young people facing inequality
• Show how the project will enable young people to take direct action (not just learn about) climate issues
• Align with the Sustainable Youth curriculum framework (seven-stage framework for youth environmental action) where relevant
• Clearly articulate safeguarding approach
• Consider partnership opportunities if your organisation could benefit from capacity building or collaboration

Reporting Requirements

• Six-monthly reporting required
• Annual reports needed to release grant payment instalments
• Foundation publishes grant information through 360Giving for transparency

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Youth leadership is paramount: This is not about delivering TO young people, but enabling young people to lead. Applications must demonstrate genuine youth agency in project design and delivery.

1. Target demographic matters: Must work with young people experiencing inequality. Generic youth programmes won't fit the criteria.

1. Two-stage process saves time: The EOI is deliberately short - use it to test eligibility before investing time in a full application.

1. Pre-application contact encouraged: Lindsay Marsden welcomes informal discussions about eligibility. Use this opportunity to test fit before applying.

1. Geographic strategy: Watch for where funding rounds are targeted geographically. Recent focus on areas with high deprivation and lower existing charity funding.

1. Size matters: With income cap of £1 million and 25% limit, this is designed for small-to-medium organisations. Don't apply if you're too large or requesting too high a proportion of budget.

1. Airbnb partnership means sustainability: The £500,000 Airbnb commitment suggests the Youth Climate Action Fund will continue for multiple rounds - unsuccessful applicants should consider reapplying when the next geographic round opens.

1. Action-oriented projects preferred: Examples of funded projects show preference for hands-on activities (festivals, conservation work, game design, journalism training) over theoretical learning.

References

1. Energy Saving Trust Foundation main page: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/

1. Energy Saving Trust Foundation - About Us: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/about-us/

1. Energy Saving Trust Foundation - Apply for a grant: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/apply-for-a-grant/

1. Energy Saving Trust Foundation - Grant funding criteria: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/grant-funding-criteria/

1. Charity Commission - THE ENERGY SAVING TRUST FOUNDATION (1144106): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1144106&subid=0

1. Energy Saving Trust Foundation Awards Four Charity Grants: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-energy-saving-trust-foundation-awards-four-charity-grants/

1. UK grants empower young people to take action on the climate emergency: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/uk-grants-empower-young-people-to-take-action-on-the-climate-emergency/

1. Northern Ireland charities secure grants: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/charities-in-northern-ireland-secure-grants-to-inspire-youth-climate-action-initiatives/

1. Airbnb and Energy Saving Trust Foundation launch climate action fund: https://news.airbnb.com/en-uk/airbnb-launches-climate-action-fund-for-disadvantaged-young-people-in-west-midlands/

1. Energy Saving Trust - Impact Report 2023/24: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/impact-report/

1. Meet our grantees - More Music: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/more-music/

1. Meet our grantees: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/meet-our-grantees/

1. Energy Saving Trust - Our Leadership: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/about-us/our-leadership/