Climate Action Seed Fund

Purpose of the fund:

The Climate Action Seed Fund has been developed to empower grassroots, community-led environmental initiatives by providing small, flexible grants that support immediate, local impact. The fund is designed to lower barriers to funding for groups and individuals driving creative, sustainable, and community-centred environmental solutions.

Funding priorities

We will prioritise projects that:

• Are community-driven and locally focused
• Address environmental justice, climate resilience, or conservation
• Encourage education, engagement, or action at a local level
• Have clear, achievable outcomes within a short time frame (3–12 months)

Eligible projects might include:

• Community gardens or urban agriculture initiatives
• Tree planting or habitat restoration efforts
• Youth environmental education programs
• Waste reduction, composting, or recycling campaigns
• Neighbourhood clean-up events
• Local air/water quality testing and advocacy
• Climate preparedness workshops or toolkits
• Sustainable transportation advocacy (bike lanes, walking trails)

Funds may be used for:

• Supplies and materials
• Costs for staff and/or facilitators
• Educational tools and printing
• Venue rental or event costs
• Admin support
• Audit of community/organisational needs and ideas

Who can apply

We welcome applications from constituted community groups, including Parent Teacher Associations.

Selection criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Community need and relevance
• Environmental impact
• Feasibility and clarity of plan
• Level of community engagement
• Equity and inclusion

Grant size:

Grants will typically range from £500 to £5,000.

What we can't support:

The Community Foundation will not fund organisations or activities which promote causes that are contrary to our purposes. Causes and activities that are contrary to our purposes include, but may not be limited to, those outlined in our investment policy.  We will not therefore fund organisations or activities which we determine are linked to the promotion of armaments, alcohol, human rights abuses, tobacco or pornography.

In addition, the Fund will not support:

• The advancement of religion. This includes organisations whose purposes include advancement of religion;
• Promotion of political activity, including any flags and emblems associated;
• The establishment of endowment of any school or institution providing further education within the meaning of the education and libraries (Northern Ireland) order 1972;
• The provision of assistance to any Housing Association within the meaning of the housing (Northern Ireland) order 1976;
• Trips outside of Northern Ireland;
• Individual applications;
• Purchase of vehicles;
• Running costs of large organisations;
• Holiday schemes;
• Parties and shopping trips.

Application process

Applications must be submitted online www.communityfoundationni.org. The fund will open on 23rd March 2026. This is a rolling fund. Applications received by the end of each month will be assessed during the following month.

Please read the following text before beginning your application:

• You are a locally based not-for-profit, voluntary or community group working in Northern Ireland to improve the quality of life for local people;
• You have an active management committee, with no two related cheque signatories;
• You have a governing document, i.e. Constitution in the name of the applicant organisation;
• You have a current bank account in the name of your organisation;
• You have up to date annual accounts;
• You have complied with the conditions of previous grants including submission of monitoring returns.

Please note: The Community Foundation now uses a new Fundseeker Portal for all applications and monitoring. If this is your first time applying, or your first time accessing the portal, we recommend reading the ‘How to Apply’ guide before starting your application.

For further information and to find out if your group or project is eligible, please contact the grants team on 028 9024 5927.

Closing message

We believe in the power of local action to drive global change. The Climate Action Seed Fund is here to support your ideas, your leadership, and your commitment to a better planet—right where you live. Let’s grow something together.