The Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust
Overview
The objectives of the Trust are:
- to promote horticulture;
- to promote the conservation of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity through the application of horticultural techniques
- to promote the creation, development, preservation and maintenance of gardens (preference will normally, but not exclusively, be given to gardens accessible to the public); and
- the advancement of horticultural education.
Grants for projects
The Trust achieves its objectives by making grants to individuals, organisations and institutions carrying out projects of significance to:
- horticulture;
- gardening; or
- botany with a strong horticultural element.
The Trust welcomes applications from organisations and institutions undertaking significant projects in these areas. The grants aim to enhance public access to gardens, promote horticultural knowledge, and conserve plant diversity.
To be successful applicants need to demonstrate horticultural competence and ability. Horticultural competence can be demonstrated by, for instance but not limited to, including staff qualifications, detailed plant lists, garden plans, images of high quality gardening and descriptions of aftercare and maintenance.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of typical projects.
- restoring gardens of historic interest;
- developing new gardens, or new garden areas within existing gardens, for public access and enjoyment;
- exhibitions, book publications, research and educational programmes relating to horticulture;
- expeditions and travel to study, collect and protect plants of scientific and horticultural value;
- study-visits by horticulturists or botanists with strong horticultural links, and
- gardeners’ training schemes run by appropriate organisations (but not to individuals, see Training and Traineeships).
Funding Level
Organisations involved in horticulture, gardening, or botany can apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust.
If you require a modest sum only, applicants are welcome to apply for grants of less than £500
Typical grants are usually in the range of £3,500- £5,000.
Only one grant is usually made for each project but it is possible for subsequent grants to be made to the same individual or organisation for a new project or an additional component of the original project over two or three years.
Training and traineeships
The Trust supports horticultural training and traineeship schemes but does not give grants to individuals. Instead, the Trust provides grants, currently of £15,000 each to two training providers, usually heritage gardens, botanic gardens or a trust. The Director provides the Trustees with up to six traineeship options at the September meeting of the Trust for Trustees to select two for funding the following year (this is to allow the recipient garden time to advertise and select a trainee).
The Trust does not solicit uninvited applications for these traineeships. Instead, the Director approaches appropriate organisations and asks them to apply (guidance will be provided). Training is only provided through these two traineeships, and therefore training projects are not supported through the twice-yearly grants scheme.