New grants programme for community and heritage projects in the Dales

Local charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) has launched a new grants scheme for projects and organisations that benefit the people, landscape and wildlife in and around the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale.

The scheme can support a wide range of projects, including natural, built and cultural heritage, access improvements, educational and training initiatives, and activities that support community development. Grants can also contribute to an organisation’s core costs such as rent, insurance and volunteer travel expenses.

Grants of £250 to £10,000 are available, and there could be larger grants for exceptional projects.

Mike Appleton, YDMT’s Grants Officer, said: “Our new grants scheme aims to improve community cohesion, reduce the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, and help to conserve and protect the area’s fantastic built and cultural heritage.

“We’ve designed the application process to be simple and straightforward while ensuring that we get enough information to make quick decisions for projects that will make a real difference. Alongside grants, we can also provide advice and support to strengthen applications and to enable projects to have the maximum impact.”

The grants scheme is supported by an award from Postcode Earth Trust thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted to back the crucial work of YDMT, including the local good causes they support. The landscapes, villages and towns of the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale are much-loved, and it is fantastic to know that funds will be used to support such a wide range of community and heritage projects.”

Applications for the programme are now open. Visit www.ydmt.org/what-we-do/grants/grants to download the application form and guidance notes. Applications can be submitted at any time and decisions are usually made within six weeks.

For more information, please contact Mike Appleton on 015242 51002 or email grants@ydmt.org