Before Submitting Your Application

  • Before sending your application please read this page carefully - particularly the sections What the Foundation Funds and What the Foundation Will NOT Support.
  • Bear in mind that requests for grants inevitably exceed available funds.

What the Foundation Funds

The Foundation's main remit is to support nature conservation projects in developing countries undertaken by small to medium-sized organisations.

In addition there is a very limited amount of funding directed towards:

  • Social welfare issues in the UK. Such projects must have a national focus.
  • Overseas development.

Examples of projects currently supported by the Foundation can be found on our Funding Programme page.

What the Foundation Will NOT Support

Please note that we do not generally fund the following:

  • Building or construction projects.
  • Donations to individuals or projects that directly benefit one individual.
  • Loans.
  • Contributions towards Endowment Funds.
  • Student/Gap Year conservation expeditions.
  • General appeals or circulars.

Criteria for Support

To be considered for support by the Foundation you should fulfil the following criteria.

  • All applicants should be UK Registered Charities.
  • Projects must meet the funding criteria.
  • There are only limited funds currently available due to our existing commitments. Only projects that meet our criteria in full are eligible, so please ensure that this is the case before you apply.
  • The minimum grant awarded is £1,000 - there is no set maximum for nature conservation projects but currently grants in this area are unlikely to exceed £20,000 to £30,000.
  • Grants to projects focusing on either overseas development or social welfare issues in the UK will not normally exceed £5,000.

What to Include in Your Application

  • A covering letter with contact details.
  • A proposal outlining the project for which funding is being sought, including measurable objectives (4 to 6 pages maximum).
  • A full budget together with details of funding secured to date, other funding applications being made and the amount being requested from the Foundation.
  • A copy of the charity's most recent full audited accounts.
  • A copy of the latest annual report (if available).

How to Make An Application

  • Applications can be sent by e-mail or by post - see the contact details below. We are unable to discuss the suitability of an application by telephone.
  • There is no deadline for applications - these are accepted throughout the year.
  • There is no application form but please read the section above What to Include in Your Application before making a submission.

Please send your application to the following address:

Simon Mickleburgh
Grants Manager
The Rufford Foundation
6th Floor
248 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 7QZ

E-mail: admin@rufford.org

We strive to respond to all applications within 6 weeks of receipt. Please do not telephone us - we will contact you!

Whilst we sympathetically consider all applications which meet with our criteria, with limited funds available it is neither possible to give detailed reasons why applications are not successful nor to enter into any dialogue or correspondence regarding projects which have been refused funding.

In all cases, organisations are only able to make a single application for funding from the Foundation during any one-year period.

The Rufford Small Grants Foundation

The Rufford Small Grants Foundation is a separate organisation which runs the Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation programme. For details of the criteria of this programme and how to apply please refer to the RSG website. This grants programme has a specific application form and you must refer to their website before considering making an application.