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Latest Community Grants Scheme

Local charity announces latest support for communities in the Yorkshire Dales

August / September 2025

YDMT_CMYK_HIGH RES

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) has opened its latest Community Grants scheme, which aims to support organisations that benefit the people, landscape and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.

There is no set minimum or maximum grant amount, though typical grants range from £1,000 to £5,000. Applications are welcomed from public bodies, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, partnerships, young people, individuals, landowners, farmers and businesses.

If you need any further information, please let me know.

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Many thanks,

Richard Anderson
Marketing and Communications Officer
richard.anderson@ydmt.org

 

 

 

Local charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) has opened its latest Community Grants scheme, which aims to support organisations that benefit the people, landscape and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.

Since 2023, YDMT has provided grant support to more than 125 projects across the Dales to help tackle nature recovery at scale and to improve access to nature. Thanks to a YDMT grant, Craven Wildlife Trust has been able to simplify and professionalise animal care facilities within its rescue hospital, including the purchase of veterinary-grade housing for its wildlife patients. The grant has also helped the Trust to successfully build relationships with local vets and the RSPCA, through an awareness-raising open day.

Penny Hunt, the Co-Founder of Craven Wildlife Trust, said: ‘‘This grant was the kick-start to raising our standards, profile and the growth of the whole operation and we are extremely grateful for YDMT’s support in that early stage of our development.”

Two types of grants are available through this new scheme; firstly, ‘Project Grants’, which can help to fund specific projects and pay for things like the restoration and creation of habitat for nature, or opportunities for underrepresented groups to access the Dales.

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Alternatively, ‘Unrestricted Grants’ are also available which can pay for an organisation’s revenue costs such as rent, insurance, staff and volunteer travel expenses.

Typical grants range from £1,000 to £5,000 and applications are evaluated on how closely they help to deliver YDMT’s strategic aims and demonstrate value for money. There is no set minimum or maximum grant and YDMT is happy to discuss bigger projects. The charity also aims to have two application windows each year, though applicants can speak to its dedicated Grants Officer at any time.

Mike Appleton, YDMT’s Grant Officer said: ‘’As a small and innovative charity, our new grants scheme aims to build partnerships with a diverse range of passionate people and communities to deliver projects that will help conserve and protect the people, landscape and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales. Our application process is designed to be simple and painless and is backed up by lots of support and advice to help applicants maximise the impact of their proposal.’’

To be eligible to apply for a grant, projects and organisations must be within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, or close to its boundaries. Projects and organisations outside of this area that clearly provide significant benefits to the area or its communities may still be considered.

YDMT welcome applications from public bodies, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, partnerships, young people, individuals, landowners, farmers and businesses.

The charity has also recently launched a separate Woodland Grant scheme, which aims to support the creation of new native broadleaf woodlands, hedgerow and landscape trees in the National Park, Nidderdale and Forest of Bowland National Landscape.

If you would like to learn more about YDMT’s grants and strategic aims and help do something amazing for the people, landscape and wildlife of the area, please visit https://www.ydmt.org/what-we-do/grants/grants.

Applications for the grant scheme are now open and can be submitted at any time, and YDMT aims to make a decision within 6 weeks of receiving all necessary information.

For further details and to discuss your project idea, contact YDMT’s Grants Officer Mike Appleton on 015242 51002 or email 
grants@ydmt.org.

 

ENDS

 

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About Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is a charity doing big things to support people, landscape and wildlife in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

Founded in 1997, YDMT delivers a range of inspirational projects, and has supported the planting of 1.6 million trees, restored 850 hectares of meadows and enabled over 15,000 people to access, enjoy and understand the Yorkshire Dales. These projects cover areas as diverse as rural apprenticeships, grants, education and outreach, restoring woodlands and wildlife habitats, and improving access and understanding of this special place.

YDMT’s work is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery www.postcodelottery.co.uk

 

Find out more at www.ydmt.org

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