April Funding Finder

Welcome to the latest Funding Finder from the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub. This guide details current funding opportunities which are designed to support climate action both generally and in specific adaption or mitigation measures. This guide is published on a monthly basis, new funds are marked with a star.

Come along to our Funding Masterclass in May to improve or fresh your funding skills. Register here.


 

Community Led Local Development Funding | 30th May | General

Max award: £10,000

This fund is a partnership between the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub and Highland Third Sector Interface. Third sector organisations are invited to apply to the Hub for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects which develop sustainable and/or resilient communities. Communities can apply to HTSI under the themes of enterprising & growing communities, and inclusive & engaged communities.

SME Loan Fund | Ongoing | Adaption

Max award: £100,000

Unsecured, interest free loans are available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), private sector landlords, not-for-profit organisations and charities in Scotland for the installation of energy efficient measures. This can include:

  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades.

  • Renewable heat technologies such as installing an air source heat pump.

  • Improving insulation, draught-proofing, double or secondary glazing.

  • Installing LED lighting.

  • Installing solar thermal systems, wind turbines, and biomass boilers.

More info

 

 

Closing Soon

 

Everyday Energy Competition | 25th April 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £5,000

Schools across the UK, educating children aged 5-11, can access support and funding to design a banner showcasing their energy saving pledge and inspire their community to adopt daily energy saving habits.

The first place prize is a British Gas Positive Energy Grant of £5,000 for the winner's school to support them in becoming more sustainable and accessible. The first-place design will also be used to create a banner to be hung at the winner's school site.

There are 25 runner-up prizes available in the form of a British Gas Positive Energy Grant of £500 per runner up school, to fund the activities of their eco-club, eco-council, or other sustainability led education opportunities. The 25 runner-up schools will also receive a banner featuring the winning Everyday Energy Competition design, to hang outside their school.

More info

Sea-Changers Coastal Foundation Fund | 25th April | Mitigation

Max award: £2,500

The purpose of the fund is to reduce the impact of single-use plastic water bottles on coastal habitats by funding communities to purchase water drinking fountains and install them for public use in busy or environmentally important areas.

More info

Lintel Trust - Small Grants Programme | 30th April 2025 | General

Max award: £1,000

Lintel Trust works with housing associations and their partners to support housing and community projects in Scotland that enable people to live independently in their homes and to play an active part in their communities.

The funding is intended for local projects that help people to maintain their tenancies, improve their lives and participate fully in community life.

Projects must fall under one of the following themes:

  • Social isolation.

  • Support for older people.

  • Digital participation.

Grants of either £500 or £1,000 are available.

More info

Peatland ACTION Fund | 30th April 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £10,000

Peatland ACTION funding - from Scottish Government - primarily supports on-the-ground peatland restoration activities and is open for applications from eligible land managers who have peatlands that would benefit from restoration.

There are no geographical restrictions or target areas for Peatland ACTION funding. Where appropriate, they also make multi-year offers for large-scale projects.

More info

MCS Foundation Programme Grants | 1st May 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £50,000

Grants are available for organizations to fund retrofit projects aimed at improving energy efficiency or using renewable energy in domestic buildings. The 2025 funding covers two types of projects:

Retrofit in action: real-world projects demonstrating retrofit methods.

Retrofit research: research projects that investigate specific issues to improve future retrofitting schemes.

Funding will cover direct project costs like staff, venue hire, focus group expenses, homeowner grants, or project-specific equipment.

More info

Gannochy Trust | 2nd May 2025 | General

Max award: £30,000

The Trust will provide small grants between £1,000 to £10,000, or main grants of up to £30,000 per year for three years to organisations whose projects fulfill the Trust’s funding priorities of:

  • Striving for excellence – building and deploying knowledge and effective delivery.

  • Improving lives – through housing, community, and grants.

  • Enhancing the environment – improving buildings and natural habitats on the Trust's estate and encouraging more people to enjoy their green spaces.

  • Building resilience and sustainability – ensuring a thriving local charity sector, through collaboration and successful partnerships.

More info

B&Q Foundation Grants | 9th May 2025 | General

Max award: £10,000

The B&Q Foundation Grant supports charities to maintain housing, improve community spaces and help people facing housing challenges.

The funding can be used for decorating, renovating, or creating spaces where people can feel at home both inside and outdoors. This could include things like community gardens, property redecorating, installing boilers, or building new rooms or buildings.

The grant will cover all project costs, including staff time. Projects must be completed within six months of receiving the funding.

More info

⭐ Hugh Fraser Foundation | 9th May 2025 | General

Max award: not stipulated

The funding is intended for registered charities and community interest companies which are active in such sectors as the arts and culture, medical and health, the environment and education, care and support of the young and elderly, people with disabilities and the underprivileged.

So long as the object is charitable, the Trustees will consider any application from a registered charity in Scotland.

The Trustees favour smaller, more focused causes rather than large highly-publicised appeals.

Grants can be for one year or up to three years.

More info

Patagonia Innovation Environmental Grants | 31st May 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £11,596

Grants are available to small grassroots activist environmental organisations in the UK and Ireland that are working to protect local habitats and frontline communities through bold, original actions.

Grants of between US$5,000 and US$15,000 are available. Only one proposal is accepted per group, per fiscal year (1 May - 30 April). Only non-profit organisations with a non-governmental status, doing environmental work in the UK or the Republic of Ireland can apply for funding.

The Company is happy to fund risk-taking, off-the-beaten-track groups.

There are two annual deadlines:

  • 31 May for a response by the end of August.

  • 30 September for a response by the end of December.

Applicants should take the eligibility quiz on the Patagonia website. If the proposed work is eligible, applicants will be directed to the application form.

More info

 

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