The Peak District National Park Foundation has opened applications for its Connect Fund Grant. The fund offers financial support to help schools and community organisations visit the Peak District National Park.
Funding Available
Grants of up to £500 are available per organisation. Only one grant award is permitted per organisation per year. The charity aims to remove barriers for disadvantaged and marginalised communities to access, understand and enjoy the park.
Who Can Apply
The fund is open to two categories of applicants:
Schools:
- All state-funded schools and colleges with 30% or more pupils eligible for Free School Meals.
- One grant per academic year.
- Visits can take place during term-time or school holidays, but must occur within six months of the grant award.
Community Groups, Associations and Charities:
- Organisations delivering events or projects entirely focused on under-represented groups.
- This includes low-income families, people with disabilities and ethnically diverse communities.
All applicants must have a business or organisational bank account. Registration as a charity is not required.
Eligible Costs
The grant can cover:
- Transport costs.
- Learning provider fees.
- Equipment needed for activities.
- The cost of providing food to participants if this is a major barrier to involvement.
Visits or trips must take place within six months of the grant being made.
What Cannot Be Funded
- Ongoing organisational expenses such as staff wages, vehicle maintenance or insurance.
- Entry fees to tourist attractions (entry to educational centres such as museums will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
Geographic Coverage
The fund covers organisations based in Derbyshire.
Important: The Peak District must be the closest national park to the applicant organisation for applications to be considered.
Application Process
Application forms are available on the Peak District National Park Foundation website and should be submitted by email.
Deadlines for applications:
- 28 February
- 30 April
- 30 June
- 30 September
The Foundation aims to respond to applications within ten working days of submission.