Thriving in Nature Fund

We are launching a third year of Thriving in Nature grant funding, aimed at enhancing lives through the power of nature. We believe in the transformative power of green and blue spaces. Spending time in nature has numerous health benefits, from reducing stress to boosting confidence and self-esteem. 

The focus will be on improving health and wellbeing, and nurturing work opportunities, by supporting charitable organisations to unite people with nature. Its flexible approach has allowed for a growing emphasis on food and farming, and an emerging focus on “blue spaces” like our precious rivers.

We aim to award £250,000 and are offering small and large grants, including multi-year funding.

This grants round is transformative for OCF and the groups we support. We will continue to offer funding in a different way, having listened to what groups need:

• Large grants between £10,001 and £50,000 to be paid over two years. To be eligible for a large grant a group’s annual income should be between £50,001 – £500,000.
• Small grants of up to £10,000 to be paid over one year. To be eligible for a small grant a group’s annual income should be under £50,000 per year.
• We’re allocating at least 20% of the fund to organisations with an annual income under £50,000, to support smaller and less established groups.
• We’re committed to ensuring the application process remains straightforward.
• Successful groups will be asked to set their own outcomes and indicators to define what success looks like for their project and track progress. 
• Successful groups will be supported by the OCF grants team, including face-to face progress catch-ups and opportunities to share learning.
• We value collaboration and may suggest joined-up approaches where projects have shared aims or audience.

We are keen to learn about the work groups are already doing and understand how this funding can help them to grow, develop or respond to local need. This could include supporting staffing and core costs, relieving specific pressure points, or testing and developing new ideas.

We are seeking grant proposals which deliver one or more of these outcomes:

• Enhancing mental or physical health and wellbeing through engaging with and caring for nature, green and blue spaces and the rural environment, including agriculture  
• Boosting rural skills, training and job opportunities through engaging with and caring for nature, green and blue spaces and the rural environment, including agriculture
• Expanding access to nature, green and blue spaces and the rural environment for underrepresented groups. 

We will run a two-stage application process.

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) – a short initial application
2. Detailed Application – by invitation only, for groups that are a strong fit with the fund’s priorities. Applications will be assessed by our OCF grants panel and independent assessors.

Organisations that received Thriving in Nature grants for 2024 or 2025 and remain active within their grant period are NOT eligible to apply for this round of funding.

Applicant organisations must have an income under £500,000 per year. An application from a group of organisations with a collective income greater than £500,000 are welcomed, as long as the individual organisations each have incomes under £500,000.

To be eligible for the Thriving in Nature Fund, applicant organisations must be one of the following: 

• Registered Charity
• Charitable Incorporated Organisation
• Charitable Company (limited by guarantee)
• Community Interest Company
• A Constituted but Unincorporated Club or Association (i.e. you have a constitution but are not one of the other entities listed above)

More details about eligibility can be found in our full guidance document, which you must read before completing the EOI.

Applications to the Thriving in Nature Fund can request funding in the following categories: 

• Project costs: These are costs directly associated with the delivery of a project. 
• Core costs: These are costs that keep your organisation running, such as salaries, rent, utilities, etc. 
• Capital costs: These are costs related to any physical assets your organisation may need, such as IT equipment or premises.

The following costs are not eligible:

• Costs that have already been incurred
• Changes to land/buildings that do not belong to the applicant
• Large-scale construction projects (including fixed structures e.g. playgrounds)

Please read the guidance document for a full list of exclusions.

• 12^th May – Round opens for submissions of Expressions of Interest (EOI).
• 20^th May – Online EOI advice session – 12.00-2pm. 15-minute bookings can be made with our Grants Team by emailing grants@oxfordshire.org
• 5^th June – EOI stage closes at midday.
• 16^th June – Groups will be notified of the outcome of their EOI.
• 17^th June – Groups successful in EOI stage open to submit Detailed Applications. Details to be provided.
• 24^th June – Drop-in advice sessions for Detailed Applications. These will be offered at a range of times throughout the day with a choice of speaking online via Teams, over the phone or in person at our central Oxford office. Details will be provided to all groups who are eligible to submit a Detailed Application.
• 15^th July – Detailed Application round closes at midday.
• 25th August – Groups receive notification of results.
• September – Grant payments to be made

Our Grants Team are available to provide guidance on the application process.

• Online Expression of Interest advice session – 20th May 12.00pm – 2.00pm. 15-minute bookings can be made with our Grants Team by emailing grants@oxfordshire.org
• In-person and online Detailed Application advice session – 24th June. This will be offered as a choice of online via Teams, over the phone or in person at our central Oxford office. Details will be provided to all groups who are eligible to submit a Detailed Application

If you are unable to make these advise sessions and have a question or query please don’t hesitate to contact our Grants team who are available to provide support with your application. Contact us on 07927 539699 (call, text or WhatsApp us), phone 01865 798666 or email us at grants@oxfordshire.org

Ensure you have read the Guidance document fully

Check your organisation is eligible to apply

Complete the Expression of Interest form here