How to apply for funding for a school canopy in 2025

Posted on 29th January 2025 | Posted in Education

Wondering how to apply for funding for a school canopy in 2025? Grants and funding are a great way for schools to receive the financial support they need for a wide range of projects and activities, from encouraging more music in schools and inspirational school trips to funding improvements to school spaces.

If you’re looking for ways to secure funding for your school, we’ve rounded up the grants you could look into this year. We’ve also included some of the best ways you can fundraise for the school improvements you need.

How to apply for funding for a school canopy in 2025

Music for All

What do Music for All do?

Music for All is a UK charity focused on spreading joy by improving access to music making. They were established 27 years ago and overthe past five years alone have awarded over £300,000 in grants and donated hundreds of instruments and equipment. They work with individuals, community groups and educational establishments.

How can my school apply for Music for All funding in 2025?

Schools can apply through Community Project Funding on Music for All’s website. Funding round 1 is now open for 2025 and closes at 11:59pm on 27th March 2025 .

Aldi Scottish Sport Fund

What is the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund?

The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund was created to provide financial support to sports clubs in Scotland. This is a great option for schools running extra-curricular clubs who may be concerned about a lack of budget for things like travel and equipment. Since launching in 2016, the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund has provided financial support to over 600 clubs, offering funding totalling more than £390,000.

How can my school apply for the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund?

Your school must be within Scotland to be eligible for the funding. This is an annual fund and details haven’t yet been released yet for 2025 funding, so keep an eye on the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund website to stay updated.

British Ecological Society Outreach Grants

What is the British Ecological Society Outreach Grants programme?

The programme offers funding for projects that increase engagement with ecology. It’s open to individuals and organisations, including schools. The programme supports projects that stimulate discussion about ecology and its implications for society, and inspires people of all ages about the science of ecology – perfect for schools. Grants are available up to £2,000.

How do I apply for the British Ecological Society Outreach Grants programme?

Visit the British Ecological Society website for more information and to apply.

Classics for All

What is Classics for All?

Classics for All is a UK charity that encourages the teaching of classical subjects in state schools. The aim is to enrich the lives of young people through the ancient world by introducing ancient history, classical civilisations, Latin and Greek to at least 1,500 state primary and secondary schools, including many in disadvantaged areas. Classics for All offers support to schools that wish to introduce or expand classics teaching.

How can my school apply for Classics for All funding in 2025?

Take a look at the Classics for All website for all the information you need on how to apply for support. You’ll find guidelines on eligibility criteria and the steps you’ll need to take. Applications are processed on a termly basis: the deadline for the Easter term is 1st March 2025, and for Autumn is between 1st – 15th June 2025.

Learning through Landscapes Nature Grants

What are the Learning through Landscapes grants?

Provided by Learning through Landscapes, the Local Schools Nature Grants programme is supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery and is open to schools and early years settings in England, Scotland and Wales. The grant offers £500 of outdoor equipment from a catalogue of selected items as well as an outdoor learning training course for staff.

How do I apply for a Learning through Landscapes grant?

Visit the website for more information and to apply through the dedicated application portal. The programme is currently open for applications until 4th April 2025. All applicants will receive a decision by 2nd May 2025.

Fundraising ideas for schools

Taking fundraising into your own hands is a great way to get the funds you need for resources and renovations you don’t have the budget for. At Canopies UK, we know many schools that have used fundraising to partially, or fully, fund their new school canopy.

Fundraising is great as it gets students, teachers and parents together in support of a common cause – and usually there’s a lot of fun to be had to. Here are some of our ideas for raising funds this year:

• Bake sales are a quick and easy way to raise small amounts of money at a time.
• Non-uniform days with a small donation required.
• Fun fancy dress days.
• A sponsored family fun run.
• Sports day with sponsored events and activities.
• A sponsored swim – you could tackle a distance like the English Channel, spread over different groups.
• A sponsored hike.
• A fair or fete with local families and businesses involved.
• Community crowd funding, which can be taken online to maximise support.

We’ve covered all these ideas, as well as a few more, here: Fundraising ideas for schools to fund outdoor canopies. Click through to read the entire article and start getting inspired about the easy and fun ways you can start fundraising at school.

Leasing made easy in 2025

If you want to transform your school’s outside space but are concerned about budget, recent changes to school finance leasing have made it easier than ever. Since September 2024, UK schools and academies can now arrange finance leases without having to get approval from the Secretary of State. This means your plans to create the perfect outdoor dining or learning space could become a reality sooner than you think.

With annual payment plans, you’ll be able to spread the cost in a way that works for your school’s budget, and you’ll own your canopy outright at the end of the lease. We’re here to make the process as straightforward as possible, with market-leading interest rates and flexibility on term lengths. Temporary classrooms and equivalent structures are an asset schools can fund with a finance lease, making an outdoor canopy the ideal space-extending structure for schools to invest in.

Learn about payment plans

We hope this was helpful and taught you a little bit about how to apply for funding for a school canopy. If you want to find out more about our canopies for schools, take a look at the options here or get in touch for a chat.