Funding is at the core of the work of the Downlands Trust and is obtained via its membership subscriptions, donations (both individual and corporate), grant applications and match funding.
Donations
So far, substantial donations have been received from: Staple Inn Actuarial Society, NM Rothschild, Tandridge District Council, Chipstead Village Preservation Society, Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council, Legal & General, ASDA Burgh Heath and Croydon Round Table, some of which have been donated for specific tasks or for funding work at specific sites. We are also delighted to have received many donations from individuals, both large and small.
Grant Applications
As a charitable trust, the Downlands Trust is able to apply for a number of grants that are not available to non-charitable organisations such as the Downlands Partnership.
In 2011 over £23,800 was awarded to the Downlands Trust (from the Veolia Environmental Trust and the Gannett Foundation) to develop the Downlands Partnership’s conservation grazing programme on Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve, enabling the creation of additional livestock enclosures and the provision of a much-needed water supply to the site.
In 2011 over £23,800 was awarded to the Downlands Trust (from the Veolia Environmental Trust and the Gannett Foundation) to develop the Downlands Partnership’s conservation grazing programme on Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve, enabling the creation of additional livestock enclosures and the provision of a much-needed water supply to the site.
Match Funding
Supported by guaranteed match-funding from the Downlands Trust, the Downlands Partnership has successfully obtained further significant funding, including:
- A £33,800 SITA grant for local pond restoration work (including ponds at: Banstead Woods, Farleigh Common and Chipstead Cricket Club and the construction of a new pond at Old Lodge Farm) – for which the Trust contributed 12.5%.
- An additional £31,175 SITA grant for a Small Blue Butterfly project to improve and create habitats to encourage a revival in their numbers – for which the Trust contributed 11.5%.
- A £224,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant for a ‘Skills for the Future’ programme saw the Downlands Partnership, in partnership with the Lower Mole and Surrey Heathland partnerships, provide training and experience for 3 countryside management trainees per year for 4 years – for which the Trust contributed £6,000 spread over the 4 year period of the programme.