Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Community Fund

Two Ridings Community Foundation manages community benefit funds provided by alternative energy suppliers as part of their developments. One fund run by RWE Renewables is the Knabs Ridge Wind Farm community benefit fund near Harrogate, which supports local projects identified by local people.

The Knabs Ridge Fund has funded refurbishments and renovations to community buildings, as well as new equipment for playgroups, drama clubs, sports facilities and play areas.

The Fund has also helped support a graveyard recording project in Hampsthwaite.

You can apply for charitable activities that:

Enhance quality of life for local residents
Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities
Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

What area does the fund cover?

The fund covers the area highlighted in blue below, including the rural areas between villages and towns.
The area covered by the Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Fund

Size of grants

Microgrants

We are now open for microgrants.

You can apply for up £700, and you can apply at any time.

If you are going to repeat the work you are applying for through a microgrant, you can apply for more than one year at once. So you can apply for up to £700 per year, for up to three years. If you are applying for a multi-year microgrant, please make this clear in your application.

Larger grants

We are now closed for larger grants.

Who can apply?

Please read our ‘How to Apply’ page for information on general eligibility.

The fund is available to small local charities and voluntary and community groups based in the parishes of:

Felliscliffe, Hampsthwaite, Birstwith, Norwood, Darley and Menwith, Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw, and Washburn.

In addition parish councils can apply provided that the proposed project is wholly charitable and falls outside of your usual remit.

How to apply?

First, please check your general eligibility with us here: How To Apply

Next, please read the Knabs Ridge Guidance Notes 2026 for this grant scheme carefully. Please read them even if you have applied before, as they may have changed.

Then, click the link below to start your application.

Lastly, we only consider your application complete when we have received all supporting documents, either attached to the online application or emailed to [email protected]

Please note: If you are sending your supporting documents in the post, please can we ask that they are NOT stapled. Thank you so much!

Recently, we communicated that applications to Knabs Ridge would be on our new system. But for now you will apply on the system you are familiar with. We will update everyone about the new application portal in due course. Thank you for your patience.

When to apply?

Micro grants

We are now open for microgrants.

After you apply, we aim to respond with a decision within 12 weeks of receiving your fully completed micro grant application.

When you apply for a micro grant for an event, please apply at least 12 weeks before the event because this will give us enough time to process your application. Then, if you are successful, it will also give us enough time to make payment before your event.