The National Forest Company

Charity Number: 1166563

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by scheme; rolling applications accepted year-round for most programs
  • Grant Range: £500 - £10,000+ (depending on scheme)
  • Geographic Focus: The National Forest area - 200 square miles across Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire

Contact Details

  • Website: www.nationalforest.org
  • Email: enquiries@nationalforest.org
  • Phone: 01283 551211
  • Pre-application Support: The National Forest team welcomes early discussions about project ideas and provides free, impartial advice

Overview

Established in 1995 and registered as a charity in 2015 (charity number 1166563), The National Forest Company leads the creation of The National Forest spanning 200 square miles across Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire. As a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the organisation works in partnership with public, private, voluntary, and community sectors to transform the landscape through woodland creation and environmental enhancement. Over 9 million trees have been planted since the project began, creating what has been described as “a landscape for the people.” The organisation offers funding and advice across diverse themes including tree planting, woodland management, tourism, arts, biodiversity, community engagement, and education. The current Chair, Dr Tony Ballance, took over leadership of the board in early 2024, while Chief Executive John Everitt OBE has led the organisation for nine years, during which time it has doubled in size and turnover. In recognition of his conservation work, John Everitt was awarded an OBE in the King's New Year Honours.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Changing Landscape Scheme (CLS)

  • Amount: 100% funding for woodland and habitat creation costs plus management for 10 years
  • Eligibility: Minimum 1 hectare; at least 50% of area must be woodland; minimum woodland block size of 0.1 hectares
  • Application Method: Rolling applications accepted year-round
  • Applicants must be registered on the Rural Land Register at the Rural Payments Agency

Freewoods Scheme

  • Amount: 100% funding for woodland creation under 1 hectare plus establishment costs for 3 years
  • Focus: Small woodlands including community orchards, small paddocks, and shelter belts
  • Themes: Environmental/Commercial (firewood or shelterbelt), Conservation/Landscape (wildlife wood, wet woodland, connection wood)
  • Application Method: Rolling applications accepted year-round

Parkland and Wood Pasture Scheme

  • Amount: 100% funding for creation of new parkland/wood pasture plus establishment for 10 years
  • Requirements: Must include visual landscape benefits for the public as well as site owner
  • Application Method: Rolling applications accepted year-round

Small Grants Fund

  • Amount: £500 - £10,000
  • Match Funding: The organisation normally requests match funding or in-kind support
  • Timing: Funds allocated at start of financial year; may be fully committed by October
  • Note: Currently closed to new applications (status varies)

National Forest Arts Grants

  • Amount: Up to £3,000
  • Awards: Typically 6 grants per round
  • Eligibility: Artists, creative practitioners, arts organisations, and community groups based in or with existing connection to the National Forest
  • Art Forms: All forms including visual arts, crafts, creative writing, performance, dance, music, film, photography, and digital arts

Priority Areas

The National Forest supports projects across the following themes:

  • Woodland Creation & Management: From small-scale planting (0.25 hectares minimum) to landscape-scale projects; support for woodland regeneration and biodiversity enhancement
  • Access & Recreation: Projects that create accessible and inclusive experiences for all communities
  • Community & Education: Connecting community and volunteer groups; supporting training and mentoring; outdoor learning and hands-on activities
  • Biodiversity: Habitat creation and management activities benefiting woodland and farmland habitats
  • Heritage: Projects that enhance understanding and connection with the Forest's heritage
  • Tourism: Growing the tourism sector sustainably while supporting local businesses to thrive in harmony with nature
  • Arts & Creativity: Projects that develop new approaches to engaging people with the National Forest
  • Urban Tree Planting: Improvements to green spaces in urban areas within the National Forest

What They Don't Fund

  • Land previously funded by the former National Forest Tender Scheme or Woodland Grant Scheme
  • Land under existing Environmental or Countryside Stewardship Schemes
  • Planting required to satisfy planning conditions or Section 106 obligations
  • Projects outside the 200 square mile National Forest area (unless they directly benefit National Forest communities)
  • Once Small Grants Fund allocation is committed (typically by October), no further applications until next financial year
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Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership

Dr Tony Ballance - Chair (appointed early 2024)

Dr Ballance grew up in the National Forest area and has lived in and around it for thirty years. He is Chief Strategy & Regulation Officer at Cadent Gas Ltd, the UK's largest gas distribution business, leading decarbonisation strategy. Previously, he served as Director of Strategy & Regulation at Severn Trent (on the Plc Board for eight years) and was Ofwat's Chief Economist. He holds a PhD in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Manchester. Dr Ballance is also a Trustee of the Soil Association, a Non-Executive Director of Flood Re, and sits on Cadent's charitable foundation board. He previously served as a National Forest Company Trustee between 2015 and 2022.

John Everitt OBE FRSA - Chief Executive

John has led the National Forest Company for nine years, during which time the organisation has doubled in size and turnover. He was awarded an OBE for services to conservation in the King's New Year Honours. Reflecting on his award, John stated: “The OBE is a recognition of the small part that I have played over more than 30 years to further the cause of nature conservation and help reverse biodiversity decline. I am delighted to accept it on behalf of my talented colleagues at the National Forest Company and the amazing and dedicated people I have worked with over the years... It is also a reflection of how important this work has become in the era of climate change. I am incredibly proud to be part of a generation that is now turning the tide on decades of environmental degradation.”

The National Forest Company is overseen by a board of trustees and operates as an Arm's Length Body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The National Forest welcomes early discussions about potential projects. Their approach emphasises:

  • Pre-application Consultation: The team is “always happy to provide advice and support” on developing projects, even if applicants are unsure about eligibility
  • Free Expert Advice: Friendly advisors provide personal support and flexibility to adapt to business or community needs
  • Impartial Guidance: Free advice on woodland and habitat management
  • Application Method: Varies by scheme; most major schemes (CLS, Freewoods, Parkland & Wood Pasture) accept rolling applications year-round
  • Registration Requirement: Woodland creation applicants must be registered on the Rural Land Register at the Rural Payments Agency

Applicants are encouraged to speak with the National Forest team early in the process before submitting applications.

Decision Timeline

  • Woodland Creation Schemes: Applications accepted year-round on rolling basis
  • Small Grants Fund: Funds allocated at start of financial year; early application recommended as funding may be committed by October
  • Arts Grants: Specific application rounds with fixed deadlines
  • Processing Time: Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed; varies by scheme complexity

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The organisation notes that they want to “empower organisations, communities and individuals to join them in shaping a greener, more sustainable future,” suggesting an inclusive approach to applicants aligned with their mission.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. However, the organisation emphasises ongoing support and encourages applicants to stay in contact with their advisory team for future opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Pre-application Engagement is Valued

The National Forest explicitly states they “welcome the opportunity to discuss your scheme prior to submission.” Early engagement demonstrates seriousness and allows applicants to shape proposals to align with organisational priorities.

Collaboration is Central

“Collaboration is at the heart of success” - the organisation values partnerships across public, private, voluntary, and community sectors. Applications demonstrating collaborative approaches and multiple stakeholder benefits are likely to be viewed favourably.

Alignment with National Forest Strategy

Projects must demonstrate benefits linked to the National Forest Strategy. For Parkland and Wood Pasture schemes, projects are “required to include benefits linked to the National Forest Strategy, including visual landscape benefits for the public as well as the site owner.”

Creative and Innovative Approaches

The Small Grants Fund “encourages creativity and learning to increase understanding, enjoyment and connection with the Forest.” The Arts Grants support projects that “develop new approaches to engaging people with the National Forest.”

Examples of Funded Projects

Arts Projects (2023):

  • Bring the Forest in (Air Arts with Jane Bevan and Dawn Jutton): Sculpture and poetry workshops for hospital inpatients and staff using natural materials from woodlands
  • That! Dance: Inclusive dance group creating Dance for Film project investigating nature and sustainability
  • Ruth Singer's Hedgerow Project: Textile works inspired by National Forest hedgerows with volunteer mapping

Earlier Arts Projects:

  • INSTAR's Paper Trail: Mobile exhibition on bicycle trailers touring the Forest
  • Whispers From The Woods: Street art installation bringing young people together through poetry

Development Example:

  • Peveril Homes' Woodcroft development in Moira: Cited as “an inspiring example of how they are successfully integrating green infrastructure into new housing estates, setting a benchmark for sustainable, environmentally focused residential developments”

Geographic Focus Matters

All projects must be based in the 200 square mile National Forest area spanning Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, or directly benefit communities within it. Main towns include Burton upon Trent, Coalville, Swadlincote, and Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Match Funding Considerations

For Small Grants, the organisation “normally requests match funding or in-kind support,” indicating that demonstrating co-investment strengthens applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Engage early: The National Forest team welcomes pre-application discussions and provides free expert advice - use this resource to strengthen your proposal and ensure alignment
  • Geographic eligibility is strict: Projects must be within or directly benefit the 200 square mile National Forest area across Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire
  • Collaboration strengthens applications: The organisation values partnership approaches across sectors; demonstrate how your project involves multiple stakeholders and delivers wide-ranging benefits
  • Timing matters for Small Grants: Funds are allocated at the start of the financial year and may be committed by October - apply early in the year for better chances
  • 100% funding available for woodland creation: The Changing Landscape Scheme, Freewoods, and Parkland & Wood Pasture schemes offer full funding for eligible projects - a significant opportunity for landowners
  • Demonstrate strategic alignment: Clearly articulate how your project delivers benefits linked to the National Forest Strategy, particularly visual landscape benefits, biodiversity enhancement, community engagement, or sustainable economic growth
  • Innovation and creativity valued: Particularly for arts and small grants, the organisation encourages creative approaches that develop new ways to engage people with the Forest

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