Funding for not-for-profit organisations who can raise their initial funding through a crowdfunding campaign for projects that protect and restore nature local communities across the UK.

The Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund, funded by Aviva and in partnership with the RSPB and WWF, is a £1 million fund to make it easier for communities across the UK to take action for nature in their local area.

This match funding scheme can support a wide range of nature projects, from creating community gardens and replanting wildlife meadows to protecting wildlife and promoting community connection to nature.

From 30 March 2023 until £1 million of funding has been allocated:

• Pledges will be matched at a rate of £2 to every £1 donated.
• 2:1 match funding will apply to pledges of up to £250.
• The maximum value of 2:1 match funding a project can receive is £5,000.

The funding is for projects that demonstrate both of the following:

• It will support communities in areas where the need is greatest, specifically areas that are ranked 1-5 according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• It is working towards one of the following outcomes:
  • Nature restoration – activity that boosts local biodiversity by protecting or restoring habitats, creating space for nature, connecting green spaces and/or addressing activities that directly impact biodiversity.
  • Nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviours – action that supports greater connection to nature and promotes pro-environmental behaviours at the community level that will benefit nature.
  • Community cohesion and connection – nature positive activity that encourages collaboration in the local community by connecting people of diverse backgrounds, generations and abilities to nature and one another.

This opportunity is open to charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), Community Interest Companies (CIC), Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG), Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC) and constituted community groups.

The first step is for applicants to set up a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder. Once launched, the crowdfunding campaign will have six weeks to crowdfund for their project.

There are no deadlines. Applications can be made until all the funding is allocated.

How To Apply

The first step is for applicants to set up a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder. Campaigns typically run for 28 days but take a few weeks to create so groups should allow about six weeks in total.

Full details and the online application can be found on the Aviva Community Fund crowdfunding page.

Once launched, the crowdfunding campaign will have six weeks to crowdfund for their project.