Monthly Funding Finder - November 2022
After many conversations with our wonderful members and groups we have supported, we often hear one thing come up again and again that groups would like further support with – and that’s funding.
We will now compile a monthly blog with various funds listed, and any helpful tips or tricks to securing some of the funds we have mentioned. Our team has a wide range of experience with securing funding and offering advice to other organisations to help them secure funding. No question is too small or silly – we are here to help!
Finding funding for your organisation to support an existing project, or to fund a new project can often seem like an overwhelming task at time. At the Hub, we are working on streamlining the process for community organisations and we are here to assist with whatever your funding needs might be, as well as offering our own small funding package of up to £500 for developing a new project or carrying out community engagement for individual groups. We now also offer up to £1000 to groups and organisations working in partnership to develop a new project or also carry out community engagement.
SCVO Cost of living & the Running Cost Crisis
SCVO provide information and advice to voluntary sector organisations throughout the cost-of-living crisis. This web page is updated regularly with new information and advice from new policy from Government’s to cost saving advice.
If your organisation is struggling with rising costs – please visit this page and get in touch with SCVO for further support.
https://scvo.scot/policy/campaigns/running-costs-crisis#close
FC Scottish Action Fund | 7th December 2022
£2,000 - £40,000 | Funding for this round closes on the 7th December with a decision to be reached by March 2022 for grants between £2,000 - £40,000 for the follow projects that are eligible under the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund:
Land Reclamation (Object A) - The reclamation, remediation, restoration, or other operation on land to facilitate economic, social, or environmental use.
Community Recycling (Object B) - Community based recycling, re-use, and waste prevention projects.
Public Amenities and Parks (Object C) - To provide, maintain or improve a public park or other public amenity.
Biodiversity (Object D) - The conservation or promotion of biological diversity through the provision, conservation, restoration or enhancement of a natural habitat or the maintenance or recovery of a species in its natural habitat.
Historic Buildings (Object E) - The maintenance, repair or restoration of a building, other structure or a site of archaeological interest which is a place of religious worship, or a site of historic or architectural or archaeological interest and is open to the public.
All grants require applicants to secure a contributing third-party payment (CTP). This has to be paid to the landfill operator.
For more information: https://fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk/funds/fcc-scottish-action-fund
EB Scotland – Scottish Landfill Communities Fund
Total fund - £1.5m: The fund offers funding to projects through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF). It will consider applications across all types of projects included in the SLCF Objects including: land reclamation, community recycling, public amenities and parks, biodiversity and historic buildings.
Notes on award amounts: The fund gives between £1 million and £1.5 million annually. They don't operate any minimum or maximum application amounts.
Who can apply: Community groups and those acting for communities e.g. community councils etc. can apply.
When to apply: They do not operate strict timescales and assess based on demand. Once they decide on a meeting they will set a deadline for receipt of applications. They prefer to speak to applicants in the first instance and make them aware of deadlines at that point.
The Scottish Mountaineering Trust | 31st March & 30th September
Total fund - £77,500: The Trust is a charity that funds projects and organisations that promote recreation for members of the public, knowledge, and safe enjoyment in the mountains of Scotland.
The Trust will consider projects which meet at least one of the seven charitable categories defined by OSCR which meet the SMT’s own objectives. These categories are:
The provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, (again the emphasis is on helping a wide range of people make constructive and life-enhancing use of their leisure time)
The advancement of public participation in sport (the key element is to enhance the range of participants in activities involving physical skill and exertion).
The advancement of education (for example skills training or broader education or research).
The saving of lives (both saving those in danger and safety of participants).
The advancement of arts, heritage, culture, or science (including history, traditions, academic disciplines, exploration, and experimentation)
The advancement of health (both physical and mental health)
Any other purpose that may reasonably be regarded as analogous to any of the preceding purposes.
Grants normally fall under three main categories:
Grants for the creation or improvement of facilities which are available for use by the mountaineering community
Grants for the maintenance of footpaths
Grants to encourage mountain safety
Notes on award amounts: The SMT can provide money as a grant, a loan or as a combination of both. Annual total and average from 2021 accounts.
Who can apply: The Trust will consider applications from charities, other voluntary bodies, commercial organisations, public bodies, and private individuals.
When to apply: The Trustees meet twice a year in April and October to consider the applications and award grants. Application should be submitted by 31 March and 30 September for consideration at the next meeting.
How to apply: Complete the application form available on the SMT website and return via email or post to the Secretary.
More information: www.thesmt.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant-new-form-and-guidance/
Low Carbon Transport Business Loan | Max award £150,000
The low carbon transport business loan offers businesses up to £150,000* interest free to reduce their carbon impact and fuel costs of their transport through the purchase of new and more efficient vehicles. This loan is fully funded by Transport Scotland and has a repayment term of up to six years.
*Limited companies are eligible for up to £150,000, sole traders or partnerships are eligible for up to £75,000.
The loan can support the purchase of new:
Electric motorcycles & mopeds – max loan amount of £10,000.
Electric car(s) – max loan amount of £30,000.
Hydrogen car(s) – max loan amount of £50,000.
Electric van(s) – max loan amount of £35,000.
Electric HGV(s) – max loan amount of £75,0000.
Hydrogen vehicles – max loan amount of £75,000.
The following basic eligibility criteria apply to the Low Carbon Transport Business Loan:
You are based in Scotland and/or currently and actively operating in Scotland. If your business is registered in England or Wales, but operates in Scotland, you can provide us with a utility bill or similar document showing us the address in Scotland.
You have been trading or operational for at least 12 months.
You have regular day-to-day access to a charge point located in Scotland; if you do not, you are arranging to have one installed or you are joining ChargePlace Scotland.
More information: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants-and-loans/low-carbon-transport-business-loan/
Zero Waste Scotland - Social Enterprise Net Zero Transition Fund
The purpose of the fund is to support these social sector organisations (SSO) in their journey to become carbon neutral, and to develop the circular economy. Through the fund, we are interested in supporting activities that will reduce carbon footprint.
Some examples of these activities are below. Please note this is not an exhaustive list and we are keen to see a range of activities come forward:
Reducing energy consumption
Improving energy efficiency
Developing or moving to renewable energy sources
Transitioning to sustainable transport options
Scaling local food production and supply
Minimising or re-purposing food waste
Developing circular economy products, services, processes, and practices
The fund provides loans from £10,000. SSO’s who have a particular circular economy focus or are proposing specific projects with a focus on re-use, repair, and leasing/sharing models, may also be eligible for a small grant award.
More information: http://www.socialinvestmentscotland.com/learning-hub/social-enterprise-net-zero-transition-fund/
Sustrans – Love Your Network Grant | 6th February
With a Love Your Network grant, your group could get:
Litter-picking equipment to transform the safety and attractiveness of your local path
Training with a wildlife expert to learn how to record the birds, bees and butterflies in your area.
Access to tools, from trowels to scythes, to make more significant improvements to spaces along the Network.
Love Your Network grants are available to:
Constituted community groups
Registered charities
Social enterprises
Individuals and profit-making companies are not eligible to apply.
If you are an informal group without a constitution, but you can otherwise demonstrate your organisation and impact, please contact Sustrans for advice.
More information: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2019/scotland/the-love-your-network-grant-for-community-groups-in-scotland
Volunteering Matters –Action Earth Awards
Awards are available to groups of volunteers carrying out environmental activities. Activities should emphasize local nature enrichment and biodiversity improvements. This could include creating or improving community gardens, shared spaces, wildflower meadows, ponds, woodlands, and other wildlife habitats.
They prioritise applications from volunteer groups who do any of the following:
Work in areas where there is substantial social or economic deprivation
Improve and develop the health and wellbeing of their local community
Involve disabled people, vulnerable people, or those at risk of exclusion
Encourage and involve people under 26 in practical outdoor conservation
Grants of between £50-250 are available. Projects pay costs upfront and then claim back by sending in receipts, feedback forms and a grant claim form within 4 weeks of your project end date. They will then repay the money into your group’s bank account.
More information: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/project/action-earth/
Local Energy Scotland - Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings
Total fund: £80,000 – Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund under CARES will help community organisations reduce their building energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by installing renewable technologies such as heat pumps.
Funding is available for many types of self-managed community buildings, including:
village halls
community centres
community hubs
sports facilities
faith buildings
Applicants must be constituted non-profit distributing community organisations, including organisations with charitable status, that are established and operating across a geographically defined community or faith groups.
Some common community organisation structures include:
Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIO)
Private Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
Community Benefit Societies (BenCom)
Community Interest Companies (CIC).
Organisations that are constituted but unincorporated may also apply but must provide additional information.
Grant funding is available for up to 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £80,000. The inclusion or exclusion of VAT in CARES funding offers does not alter the grant maximum of £80,000.
More information: www.localenergy.scot/funding/lets-do-net-zero-community-buildings-fund/
The Pebble Trust
All projects that have to meet their charitable objectives, and in particular must contribute to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and finite resources.
The detailed Pebble Trust objectives are:
The advancement of environmental protection or improvement, in particular supporting organisations and individuals developing sustainable lifestyles and projects which take into account future resource availability, fossil fuel use, climate change and the desirability of a more equal society;
The advancement of community development, in particular encouraging local communities to become stronger and more self-reliant through the adoption of sustainable lifestyles.
The advancement of education and science, in particular carrying out research and education relating to the technical and social aspects of sustainable lifestyles
Projects funded will be expected to benefit the public through:
a reduced resource intensity of lifestyles, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future
a contribution to individuals’ awareness, and the technical knowledge required for sustainable lifestyles
making results known, thereby disseminating and promulgating the results of funded projects
They prioritise applications for projects in the Highlands and Islands and those which have a strategic Scotland-wide impact. Grants will be restricted to a maximum of £10,000.
All projects should seek to address the climate emergency and ways of living that are consistent with the resource limits of the planet. They are particularly interested in:
Applications from grassroots organisations challenging current unsustainable practice
Applicants attentive to equality, equity, and fairness
Small to medium size projects where Pebble Trust funding forms a major part of project costs
Projects where our funding will make a real difference to making the project happen
More information: https://www.thepebbletrust.org/applications.asp
Firstport – Social Entrepreneurs – Boost it
Between £30,000 – £50,000 repayable grant to help new and established social enterprises strengthen their business to reach a point of sustainable trading.
Boost It is designed to help social enterprises that have been trading for up to three years to strengthen their business to reach a point of sustainable trading. It can also help new social enterprises if they need an injection of capital to get their business up and running.
You can apply for any amount between £30,000 to £50,000 as a repayable grant. This can be spent on a variety of costs including (but not limited to): salaries, stock, large capital purchases, or investing in digital infrastructure.
Boost It is for legally constituted social enterprises that have been trading for up to three years but needs further support to increase trading activity and become sustainable.
More information: www.firstport.org.uk/funding/boost-it/
Caithness and North Sutherland Fund
You can apply for between £1,000 to £30,000 (requests for higher amounts may be considered in exceptional circumstances).
Caithness & North Sutherland Fund aims to help people of Caithness & North Sutherland by giving money. To increase the attractiveness of Caithness & North Sutherland as a place to live, work and invest with particular emphasis on achieving environment, social, culture and infrastructure improvements.
To achieve our aim, we want to fund projects that will improve Caithness and North Sutherland, making it more attractive to live, work and invest. Our aim is to focus in particular in environment, social, culture and infrastructure projects.
We will consider how well your project meets our aims during our assessment. You must show how your project meets at least one of them to be considered for a grant.
You can apply to Caithness & North Sutherland Fund if you are a:
Voluntary or community organisation
School Parent Council (not for statutory function)
Community council
Community groups
Community development groups
More information: https://www.cnsf.org.uk/
Highland Council – Common Good Fund
The Common Good Fund can be used to provide financial support for a wide range of local community activities. Funds are available in Cromarty, Dingwall, Dornoch, Fortrose and Rosemarkie, Grantown, Invergordon, Inverness, Kingussie, Nairn, Tain
Please note that Cromarty, Dingwall, Invergordon, Nairn, Fortrose and Rosemarkie are currently closed to grant applications due to insufficient funds.
The Inverness Common Good Fund normally has four application deadlines in the year, usually in January, April, July and October. 2023 deadlines are to be confirmed.
More information: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/677/council_and_government_grants/355/common_good_funds
National Lottery Community Fund –National Lottery Awards for All Scotland
Total award: £300 - £10,000
Applications should do at least one of the following:
bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities
improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
You can apply if your organisation is a:
voluntary or community organisation
registered charity
constituted group or club
not-for-profit company or Community Interest Company
school (as long as your project benefits and involves the communities around the school)
statutory body (including town, parish and community council).
They can fund:
equipment
one-off events
small land or building projects (but make sure you own the land or building, have a lease that can't be ended for five years, have a letter from the owner saying the land or building will be leased to you for at least five years, or an official letter from the owner or landlord that says you're allowed to do work on the building) - you should also think about getting planning permission for the work too
staff costs
training costs
transport
utilities/running costs
volunteer expenses.
More information: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-scotland#section-1
Scotmid Co-operative Community Grant
Maximum award: £500
To be successful, the applicant must:
Be a group or individual acting for the wider benefit of the local community
Live within the geographic boundaries of one of our Regional Committees
And a project must address a community issue or support a local community initiative and provide benefits to the local community.
Local community groups, self-help or voluntary groups and charities (including local branches of national charities) acting for the benefit of the local community may apply for a grant.
The funding can be used for one-off investments, purchases or events that address one or more of the following categories:
Children/youth
Health and wellbeing
Fair Trade
Social Inclusion
Arts and culture
Environment
Older people in the 65+ age group
Active lifestyles
Community groups
Co-operatives
More information: https://scotmid.coop/community-and-charity/supporting-local-communities/community-grant/
Greenspace Scotland – Tesco Community Grants
Tesco Community Grants is open to charities and community organisations to apply for a grant of up to £1,500. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK.
Grants will be awarded to voluntary or community organisations (including registered charities/companies), schools, health bodies (e.g. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS Hospital Trust, Foundation Trust), Parish/Town Councils, local authorities and social housing providers.
Applications are open to all local good causes, but we are currently prioritising helping projects that support food security, children and young people and local store nominated good causes. This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas also welcomed.
Examples include:
Breakfast clubs
Holiday clubs
Food banks
Meals on Wheels
Equipment or non-statutory services for nurseries or schools e.g. forest schools, library books
Equipment for Brownie, Guide or Scout Groups e.g. camping equipment, badges
Play areas
Counselling and support services for young people
Services or equipment to support children and young people’s health
Equipment/kit for youth sports teams
More information: https://tescocommunitygrants.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
Cycling UK in Scotland – Shift | 8th December
Total fund: up to £1,500
Using modules specially designed by Cycling UK, you can access expert support as well as funding to run activities that will help people jump on a bike, instead of into their car.
From cycle training and confidence boosting sessions to cargo bike trials for local businesses, we will help your ideas flourish. To apply, contact one of our local development officers listed below. They will be there to support you every step of the way, with access to training, networking, and expert advice.
For more information contact your local Cycling UK development officer:
Highland, Orkney & Shetland – Paul Porter paul.porter@cyclinguk.org
Paths for All | Smarter Choices, Smarter Places
Funding available: between £5,000 to £10,000 (projects need to be match funded)
The Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund aims to encourage people to change their everyday travel behaviours. Grants are available to encourage people to use public transport or other sustainable options such as buses and community car clubs for longer journeys; walking and cycling for short journeys, and home-working to replace daily commutes.
The Open Fund is available to support public, third and community sector organisations. The fund aims to help cut Scotland's carbon emissions and improve our air quality. It will also help reverse the trend towards sedentary lifestyles and will tackle health inequalities.
More information: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/open-fund
Sustrans Scotland – ArtRoots
ArtRoots was created to make the cycle route more attractive, more fun, a destination not a thoroughfare, whilst giving added value to the community too. Sustrans funds the project and the ArtRoots officer offers advise and help, but the key point is that the community manage the project and shape the outcome.
Communities situated along a traffic free section of the NCN can apply to Sustrans for funding.
Initially they complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) which is used to determine their eligibility.
Key criteria are the location of the proposed project and the existence of a community group who will manage the project.
ArtRoots funding can be used to pay for artists or a designer and to fund all the costs involved in creating the artwork (materials, workshops etc) but it cannot be used to pay the community group for their time - hence the group must be willing to manage the project voluntarily.
A maximum of £5000 is available to each project per year however, to receive the maximum award the project must demonstrate how it will result in increased usage of the NCN and show how it will raise awareness of the active travel network.
More information: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ecd6ee6f2262468e82bfeb618a48852d
Tree Council – Branching Out Fund | 4th December
This Grant fund supports schools, community groups and Tree Warden Networks to plant trees, hedges, and orchards. Grants can be between £200 and £2000. All projects must have strong community involvement, and ideally involve children and/or young people.
More information: https://treecouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/planting-and-care/our-grants/
The Mushroom Trust
Grants of between £500 and £10,000
The Mushroom Trust is a Scottish charitable trust that donates funds to a number of organisations and charities primarily involved in the improvement of green spaces with a particular focus on horticulture.
Trustees have supported a broad variety of projects such as improving paths for public access, enabling the commissioning of landscaping designs for long term planting, developing allotments, enriching planting, improving public parks and play areas, and planting community gardens and orchards.
The Trustees are interested in supporting projects that can demonstrate public involvement and community based fundraising. Furthermore, the trustees are keen to support organisations that might have difficulties in obtaining public funding from other sources.
More information: https://mushroomtrust.com/projects/
People’s Postcode Lottery – Magic Little Grants
Max award: £500
Funding can go towards any of the following projects:
Improving mental wellbeing
Enabling community participation in the arts
Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality
Improving biodiversity and green spaces
Enabling participation in physical activity
Responding to the climate emergency and promoting sustainability
Increasing community access to outdoor space
Organisations must either be in their first year of operation or have an annual income under £250,000. Funding can be used to launch new projects, support existing ones, or cover core costs associated with ongoing work.
More information: https://localgiving.org/about/magic-little-grants/
The Scottish Hydro Community Trust | 21st December
First you should obtain a quotation for the electricity supply from the local SSE depot (or other authorised agent). The supply must be for a connection to a domestic property or a community project. It can be for a new property or to upgrade an existing supply.
The property must be for domestic use or a community project which is not profit distributing.
Domestic properties must be the sole residence of the applicant.
Full planning permission, where required, must have been granted before an application is submitted.
Applicants should be a member of the local community.
Applications relating to connections or upgrades for renewable energy installations will be considered.
Applicants are required to provide detailed information on the costs, funding and purpose of their project.
Applicants are required to provide information about their financial status. The Trustees may seek to verify the information provided. It is also very important the following information is provided:
HOUSEHOLD INCOME: Gross annual household income should include spouse/partner in addition to the applicant.
ASSETS (e.g. This should include the value of any land, property, motor vehicles, investments, savings, etc).
LIABILITIES (e.g. Include the value of any all outstanding loans, debts, etc).
FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: Please explain why the Trustees should grant assistance in your case, reason for selecting the site, family background and circumstances and any other information you feel should be taken into consideration by the Trustees in considering your application.
The amount of grant offered will take account of what the Trustees consider to be a reasonable connection charge.
The Trustees will only consider applications from Community Trusts that are Registered Charities in Scotland for small scale housing projects in fragile rural communities.
More information: https://www.shect.org/index.php
Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust | 21st December
The Trust provides a number of different types of Grants for Community Groups and Residents.
Large grants: over £20,000
Grants for constituted community groups: up to £20,000
Non constituted group for community benefit: up to £1,000
More information: https://www.stratherrickcommunity.org.uk/grants-and-schemes/
Dunvegan Community Trust | 31st December
The Dunvegan Trust's primary role is to distribute the community fund generated by the Ben Aketil Wind Farm. The majority of funding is available as a grant to local constituted, not-for-profit groups that operate in the Dunvegan area.
Project and skills development grants must benefit the residents of the Dunvegan area (which includes the surrounding townships of Harlosh, Feorlig, Vatten, Roag, Herebost, Orbost, Horneval, Greep, Claigan and Uiginish).
The Trust's primary role is to distribute the community fund generated by the Ben Aketil Wind Farm. Any group based in the Isle of Skye that benefits Dunvegan residents can apply for a grant up to the value of £500, towards any project costs.
More information: http://www.dunvegantrust.co.uk/
Highland Council – Village Halls Grant
Max award - £500 per year
Provide annual revenue grants to encourage community use of village halls in the Highlands.
Halls must be independently owned or leased on a secure and long term basis to the community
Applicants must be a properly constituted, non-profit making organisations which exist for public benefit
The facilities must be available, within reason, to all members of the community
Halls must be run and managed by an elected, representative committee from the community
Priority will be given to halls serving communities with a population of less than 3000 people
Unless there are exceptional circumstances, only one hall in each community will be supported
More information: https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/196481/village_halls_grant/category/155/grants_for_community_groups
Highlands and Islands Enterprise – Community Asset Projects
Funding and support is available to community groups in the Highlands and Islands region to help develop assets that benefit their local area. HIE can fund a knowledge exchange visit with another group, either as a host or visitor, to help you learn from what others have put in place and learn from their experiences.
Community groups and intermediaries can also get financial support for:
hosting or attending training courses and events
hosting capacity-building events for the community-assets sector
other activities that may benefit the development of your community assets.
You can apply if you are:
a community group based in the Highlands and Islands who manages, owns, or is working towards ownership of an asset that will benefit the community
a support organisation which supports groups who manage, own, or are working towards ownership of assets for community benefit
have a need to attend or host training or capacity-building activities in line with your organisation’s aims and objectives.
More information: https://www.hie.co.uk/support/browse-all-support-services/funding-for-community-asset-projects/
Shetland Charitable Trust – Small Grant Scheme | 26th January
Funding of £500 to £5,000 can be requested (please note this is a match funder)
The purpose of the Trust is to use its available funds to benefit and improve the quality of life of all people living in Shetland, and to preserve the Trust reserves for future generations. The ambition to promote inclusion and reduce inequalities in Shetland will be a central theme for the Trust over 2020-2025, across all its funding commitments.
Applications must demonstrate how your project will promote social inclusion and reduce inequalities in Shetland.
The Trust will consider funding for the following strands of activity:
Arts and Culture
Sport and Recreation
Heritage and the Environment
Social Care and Welfare
Any constituted community group with a turnover of less than £50,000 per annum can apply for this scheme.
More information: https://www.shetlandcharitabletrust.co.uk/apply-for-funding
Useful Funding Links
Whilst this is a monthly blog, we recommend keeping an eye out on other funding finders to see what support is out there. Sometimes funds can come and go pretty quickly and may be oversubscribed so we may miss them.
We always recommend keeping an eye out from regular funders on social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as new funds can often be announced there.
Alternatively, you can use funding finders that generally cover most of Scotland.
Scotland’s Town’s Partnership | Monthly Publication
www.scotlandstowns.org/funding_support
Argyll & Bute Council | Monthly Newsletter
www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/forms/note-interest-form
SCVO| Funding Scotland
funding.scot
Foundation Scotland
www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available