The National Forest Company | Grants & Advice

The NFC works with landowners, farmers, community groups, arts organisations, tourism businesses and more within The National Forest area (covering parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire) to support woodland creation, habitat management, community engagement, arts & tourism initiatives, and sustainable business growth. National Forest+3National Forest+3National Forest+3

They offer free advice as well as grant support across several theme areas including:

• Tree planting / new woodland creation. National Forest+1

• Woodland & habitat management (existing woodland). National Forest+1

• Community woodlands, volunteering and green infrastructure. National Forest

• Arts, creativity and sustainable tourism linked to the Forest. National Forest

• Small grants for inspiring projects that don’t fit into the larger schemes. National Forest+1

Why It Matters for East Staffordshire, Especially in Tourism & Heritage

Given your interest in marketing, tourism, heritage, events and sustainable travel in East Staffordshire, the NFC grants/advice are highly relevant for several reasons:

• If your destination lies within or near The National Forest boundary (or you’re working with a partner that does), projects that combine nature, environment, heritage and tourism fit well.

• For example, your planned heritage/animation event in Burton upon Trent could link to woodland/landscape assets, green tourism experiences or outdoor learning – all of which feature in the NFC remit.

• The arts & creativity dimension means that tourism, visitor experience, heritage interpretation, outdoor installations etc can tie into the grants. For example, the NFC Arts Grants support projects across art forms that engage people with the Forest. National Forest

• Sustainable tourism / business support is explicitly mentioned: the NFC “support sustainable businesses that are connected to the Forest to develop a greener economy”. National Forest+1

• From a marketing standpoint, recipients can use the connection with The National Forest brand/vision to enhance their own story (“part of the National Forest initiative”) which adds environmental/heritage value for visitors.

Key Features of the Grant Schemes & Advice

Here are some of the standout features, eligibility notes and what to keep in mind:

Location / eligibility

• The project must be within The National Forest area or directly benefit the communities, businesses or environment of it. National Forest+1

• If you’re not sure whether your site is within the boundary, the NFC provide a map on their website. National Forest+1

Types of Activity They Fund

• Tree planting/new woodland: from as little as 0.25 hectares up to larger landscape scale. National Forest

• Woodland/habitat management: e.g., creating rides/glades, wildlife habitats, ponds, hedgerows, other non‐woodland habitat. National Forest

• Arts & creativity projects: imaginative visitor/engagement projects inspired by the Forest, across craft, performance, film, digital etc. National Forest

• Small grants: for community, business, visitor experience, wellbeing, outdoor learning, etc. Grants range up to ~£10,000 for many small grants. National Forest+1

Funding & Match‐Funding

• Some schemes cover up to 100% of eligible costs (especially for tree planting/new woodland) including design, planning, implementation, maintenance. National Forest

• Small grants often require match funding or in‑kind support. For example, small grants support up to ~£10,000; projects normally require match or in‑kind contribution. National Forest+1

Free Advice & Support

• The NFC offer free and impartial advice, site visits, guidance on grant suitability and help in identifying which scheme fits. National Forest+1

• Good for businesses/organisations new to woodland/green infrastructure/visitor experience.

Timing & Application

• There is an “apply for a grant” form on the website: initial enquiry stage to direct to the right scheme. National Forest

• Some schemes may have application windows (eg arts grants run September‑November for delivery Jan‑Sept next year). National Forest

• For small grants, currently it states “currently closed to new applications”, but you can still register interest/advice. National Forest

How to Get Started – Suggested Path for Your Network

Here’s a simplified pathway you can share with businesses or community groups in East Staffordshire:

1. Check if you qualify

   • Is your project located in or benefiting The National Forest boundary?

   • Does your idea align with woodland, visitor experience, arts/creativity, sustainable tourism, or community engagement?

2. Define your project

   • What is it? (e.g., new woodland trail for tourism, arts installation in woodland, visitor experience upgrade, heritage interpretation linked to landscape)

   • What outcomes? (e.g., more visitors, improved accessibility, increased biodiversity, business growth)

   • What budget? Will you need match funding?

3. Seek advice

   • Contact NFC via their grants enquiry form and ask for a call or site visit. Their advice team can help you refine idea and match to the right scheme.

4. Prepare your application

   • Use the NFC “Apply for a grant” form. Provide details: location, project description, costs, timescale. National Forest

   • Highlight connections to tourism, visitor experience, heritage, environment (especially useful for your role).

   • Show how you will deliver, maintain, and benefit the Forest area.

5. Secure match‑funding (if required)

   • Identify any in‑kind support, volunteering, partner contributions or your own investment to match the grant.

   • For small grants, clearly show match/in‑kind.

6. Deliver & Promote

   • Once approved, deliver the project.

   • Use the link with The National Forest in your marketing (‘part of the National Forest initiative’) to boost tourism and heritage messaging.

   • Monitor outcomes (visitor numbers, business impact, environmental improvement) and share success as part of your marketing content.

Final Thought

For landowners, tourism businesses, heritage and arts organisations in East Staffordshire, the National Forest Company’s grants and advice scheme presents a tangible, locally‑relevant funding and support opportunity. If your project ties nature, woodland, visitor experience, community engagement or arts together, this is a strong fit.