Grants

Grants Programme Guidelines

Greening the Third Sector

Aims of the Initiative
Most of us are now well aware of our society’s dependence on vulnerable natural systems, and on dwindling global resources.  We are less aware, however, of how to make practical changes in behaviour to minimise unwanted environmental damage – and this may apply especially in organisations which are not set up explicitly to address environmental concerns. 

This Trust has already undertaken a pilot programme of eco-audits of a sample of London’s third sector organisations.  That exercise has shown us the scope and the challenges in regard to improving our environmental performance.  We aim to extend this experience to more organisations, with a view to:

• making specific and measurable reductions in carbon and waste
  
• establishing the connections between environmental and social action
  
• promoting other environmental benefits
  
• embedding and spreading good environmental practice throughout the sector.

What will we fund?
We shall give preference to larger organisations, or those with an extended sphere of influence among members or partner bodies.

The Trust will cover the costs of an eco-audit, training or consultancy provided by our approved consultants.  This is likely to take up to about five days’ work, and will include:

• visiting your offices, and discussions with chief executive, staff and trustees
  
• review of your energy use, waste, travel patterns and purchasing practice
  
• review of policies and how decisions are made
  
• a report and action plan
  
• follow-up visit after a year
  
• report on the changes and savings achieved.

What do we ask you to do?
We ask you to participate fully in the process, and to involve all your staff and board.  We ask you to consider how environmental behaviours relate to your core objectives, and how you will embed these into policy and practice.  Lastly, we ask you how you will help to spread any useful messages or changes among your stakeholders.

The Process
Please contact the Trust and speak to a grants officer in the first instance.  We shall then ask you to write to us with a short proposal explaining why you will benefit from taking part in the programme, and how you can help to spread good practice.  If we approve this, we will discuss with you the appointment of a suitable consultant and agree a brief for the work.