National Forest Company
Could National Forest Company fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £500 – £25,000
- Where they fund
- National Forest, Leicestershire, Derbyshire
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Two-stage application
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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nationalforest.orgAbout National Forest Company
The National Forest Company is dedicated to creating a wooded landscape across the National Forest area in the Midlands, blending environmental regeneration with community and economic benefits. Established as a company overseeing this transformation, they fund projects that deliver tree planting, forest creation, woodland and habitat management, and nature-based initiatives. Their approach emphasises partnership, inclusivity, and long-term stewardship, supporting land works that increase biodiversity, improve resilience, and engage local people. They fund a range of activity including capital works for tree planting and woodland management, ecological surveys, training, and community projects. Beneficiaries include rural communities, schools, community groups, social enterprises, and charities. Thematic priorities span environmental improvements, community involvement, and economic development, with additional support for arts and culture projects that respond to nature, health, and climate themes. All funded projects must be located within the National Forest boundary. They do not typically support core costs, salaries, or work that has already started. Their distinctive focus on landscape-scale regeneration and holistic community benefit sets them apart.
What National Forest Company funds
The National Forest Company funds projects that create, manage, and enhance woodland and farmland habitats within the National Forest boundary. They support tree planting and forest creation that deliver environmental, community, or economic benefits. Woodland and habitat management grants cover the production of management plans, ecological surveys, silvicultural interventions, management of other forest habitats, grey squirrel and deer control, and thinning to mitigate ash dieback. They also fund tree planting grants to future-proof land, strengthen farm businesses, build landscape resilience, reduce flooding, improve air, water, and soil quality, store carbon, and increase biodiversity. Thematic priorities include nature, health and wellbeing, sense of place, sustainability, climate action, and circular economy, with additional support for arts and culture projects that respond to these themes. All funded work must be located within the National Forest area, covering parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire.
Who can apply
The National Forest Company funds organisations including registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, community benefit societies, schools, and trusts. They also support individuals through specific programmes such as arts grants. Beneficiaries include rural communities, children, young people, and the general public. Projects must be located within the National Forest boundary. They prioritise work that engages communities and volunteers, and that supports the local woodland economy. There is no religious restriction on applicants.
What National Forest Company doesn't fund
The National Forest Company does not fund projects outside the National Forest boundary. They exclude core costs, salaries, and work that has already started or is business as usual. They do not typically support standalone individual activities without landscape integration.
How they like to fund
The National Forest Company offers grants for capital works, equipment, training, events, project delivery, and research. They provide funding for tree planting, forest creation, woodland and habitat management, and arts projects. Some programmes require match funding. They welcome unsolicited applications and provide an enquiry form for those interested in applying.
How much does National Forest Company give?
National Forest Company runs 5 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 64 sourced facts
- Expression of interest first
- Next deadline 1 February 2027
- Expression of interest first
- 1 rounds a year
- Expression of interest first
- Match funding required
- Expression of interest first
- Expression of interest first
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What National Forest Company funds — and what they won't
Deliver environmental, community, or economic benefits through tree planting and forest creation.
The full exclusions list (2)
- Not for land outside the National Forest boundary
- Cannot fund work that has already started or business as usual
Good to know
How to apply to National Forest Company
National Forest Company takes applications via two-stage application.
- Published programme route: expression of interest first.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What National Forest Company's application asks
We hold the 10 questions from National Forest Company's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Full name”
“Email”
8 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if National Forest Company could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does National Forest Company provide?
National Forest Company runs 5 grant programmes — Forest Creation Grant: £1,500 – £1,000,000 · National Forest Arts Grants: Up to £3,000 · Small grants: £500 – £10,000.
Where does National Forest Company fund charities?
National Forest Company funds charities operating in National Forest, Leicestershire, Derbyshire.
Does National Forest Company accept unsolicited applications?
National Forest Company accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does National Forest Company not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Not for land outside the National Forest boundary; Cannot fund work that has already started or business as usual. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from National Forest Company?
National Forest Company takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: expression of interest first.
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Could National Forest Company be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.