If you were awarded Nature Hubs funding from Hubbub in March 2024 -- keep reading! This doc is for you.
For 2024-funded Nature Hubs, here you’ll find all the exciting stuff: eligibility, criteria, and guidance for Hubbub’s Nature Hubs Top-Up funding, delivered in partnership with Starbucks. Not super fun, but important – so please read this doc carefully before applying!
If this is your first time applying for a Nature Hubs grant through Hubbub – even if you already manage a green space with separate funding— please see our other criteria for new grants.
If you are an organisation that works across a range of locations and you would like to apply for a top-up grant at an existing Nature Hub and a new grant at a new site near to a different Starbucks store, that is fine. However in areas where we tend to get a high volume of applications (e.g. London, Manchester), an organisation that has never before received Nature Hubs funding may be prioritised for a new grant to spread funding as fairly as possible.
Contents
• Key dates
• Eligibility
• Application criteria
• How to apply
• What happens if you’re successful?
• Key T&Cs
• Our commitment to equality and diversity
What are the key dates to be aware of?
Application timeline
• Groups can apply from 9am Monday 14th
October.
• The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 29th November.
• Any application submitted after this window won’t be considered.
• Hubbub will inform you whether or not you’ve been successful by the end of February 2025.
• Funding: March 2025 [subject to receiving all documentation]
Who’s this funding for
Existing Nature Hubs who received funding in March/ April 2024.
This funding is not for…
Any organisation who has not previously received a Nature Hubs grant.
Application criteria for top-up grants
Key things we are looking for
The Nature Hubs ‘Top-Up’ grants will support existing Hubs deepen their impact by strengthening community ties to their project and supporting project legacy. This grant is for up to £3,000.
Successful delivery
Projects should demonstrate successful delivery of their year 1 Nature Hubs project so far by showing that the green space was created/enhanced and people were able to benefit from it. We understand that some projects faced unforeseen challenges and won’t necessarily rule them out if they can demonstrate how they pivoted and overcame those difficulties. We may also refer to 3 and 6 month reporting if unclear about something in the application.
Strengthening community ties
Projects should demonstrate how they will use additional funding to either encourage more community members to get involved or to further support the longevity of the site.
Interest in local Starbucks store connection
Projects should demonstrate an openness to continue working with their local Starbucks store, and be willing for Hubbub to share information about their projects with Starbucks.
• A new project location that is separate from the original Nature Hub site which received funding in March/April 2024.
How to apply!
First, make sure to read this whole document carefully. Once you’ve done that, you can make your application through our online application form specifically for ‘TopUp grants’ on Hubbub’s Community Nature Network. There’s also a downloadable version of the application questions on the application form.
Please contact us directly if you are unable to complete a digital application. If you have any questions, first check our FAQs, or if you still can’t find an answer contact us at: naturehubs@hubbub.org.uk
If for any reason an application has been mistakenly deleted, lost, or corrupted, it’s at our discretion as to whether groups must reapply. In this instance, please notify us via: naturehubs@hubbub.org.uk
What happens if you’re successful?
First things first, enjoy the moment: give yourself a pat on the back, do a celebratory jig, fist pump, hug a tree, eat a jam donut, high-five a stranger – whatever feels right in the moment.
Then, it’s time to get growing. The successful applicants will have six months from receiving funding to show they have begun to use their top-up grant to support their existing Nature Hub. Light-touch reporting will still be expected of top-up grant recipients at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Successful applicants will be required to sign a Grant Fund Agreement with Hubbub, which will include details about project monitoring and reporting requirements. Once the agreement is signed, we’ll send you the funding so you can get cracking.
Some key T&Cs
• The funding should show in the organisation’s accounting as a restricted fund.
• Successful groups must keep track of Nature Hub spending, as Hubbub requires that winners retain receipts and details of spend.
• Organisations may not apply for more than one top-up grant. All top-up grants are up to £3,000.
• Funding must support an existing Nature Hub, additional to existing expenditure plans.
• Each application must provide a “lead contact”, along with a “secondary contact” who can represent the project in the “lead contact’s” absence. When applying for this funding, the lead and secondary contact should both be authorised to act on behalf of their organisation and should both have read the Terms & Conditions.
• Nature Hubs projects receiving top-up grants will automatically join Hubbub’s Community Nature Network’s map of projects.
Please read the full T&Cs here.
Our commitment to equality and diversity
Hubbub is committed to diversity and inclusion. We’ll assess all applications on an individual basis, with each being reviewed against the criteria as above and are looking for a range of project types, locations and themes.
We recognise that it is in the interests of our organisation and society that everyone is treated fairly. We will make sure that no applicant receives less favourable treatment (either directly or in directly) on the grounds of protected characteristics including:
• Age
• Disability
• Gender or gender reassignment
• Marriage/Civil partnership
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex or sexual orientation
Privacy
Any personal information collected from applicants when entering this funding process will be subject to the privacy policy located: here.
If you have any questions regarding this grant fund or the criteria outlined above, please check our FAQs and if you still have questions feel free to email us at naturehubs@hubbub.org.uk. Still got questions?
