Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust's community grants support passionate local people across the region to continue or kick-start initiatives that make a real difference in their local communities.
We offer small grants, a simple and painless application process and lots of support and advice, so successful applicants can have the funds to start making a difference in their local community straight away.
Who is eligible to apply for a community grant?
Grants are intended to respond to the wide variety of needs of rural communities in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and nearby rural areas. We want to help build community resilience and allow communities to survive and thrive.
The grants are intended to fund and support small voluntary groups or organisations to continue or expand their work, providing advocacy, a community voice and service provision for local people.
Grants of between £250 and £2,000 are available and can cover a wide range of uses, from revenue costs such as staff and rent payments to capital items such as computers or play equipment. We also welcome climate focused and sustainability projects.
To apply you must be a voluntary or community group active in the eligible area for at least 12 months, with an income of less than £30k per year. Read our Guidance Notes for more details about eligibility and how to apply.
Apply for a Community Grant
Read our Guidance Notes to find out if you're eligible to apply for a community grant and for more information about how to apply.
Community initiatives we have supported
YDMT set up the community grants programme in memory of our founding Chairman Roger Stott who sadly passed away in 2015. The programme continues today thanks to support by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Since it started we have awarded nearly £125,000 in grants to hundreds of incredible projects that have impacted the lives of thousands of local people.
It's been amazing to see how a small grant can play a big part in transforming local communities, from helping to improve village halls, play parks, community gardens and sports grounds, to supporting adult learning classes, befriending services…and so much more.
COVID-19 left many elderly and vulnerable people in our rural communities isolated and in need of help.
Read how YDMT community grants helped community organisations in Bentham to continue supporting vulnerable people during the pandemic and beyond.
Learn more about our work
People and the Dales
People and the DALES stands for Diversity, Access, Learning, Education and Sustainability. We think that about sums up what we do – but it doesn’t tell the whole story!
Green Futures
We are committed to making sure every young person is supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities, and wider society.
Rural Apprenticeships
Rural Apprenticeships give young people who live in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas the chance to stay here and gives them skills to help care for this special area.
