October Funding Finder
One of our favourite mantras at the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub is “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” ~ Helen Keller. It resonates with our value of collaboration and belief in amplifying the collective voice of our members. The work we see from across Highland, Orkney & Shetland never fails to inspire us at the Hub, it pushes us to strive to shine an even brighter spotlight on our communities.
Since April we’ve been compiling our monthly Funding Finder to bring the latest funding avenues to our members attention so they can sustain themselves & develop new projects. Over 7 Funding Finders, we’ve highlighted opportunities to the value of nearly £16 million, and we are celebrating October being our biggest Funding Finder to date - over £4 million included. To recognise this momentous milestone, we have three featured funds this month!
So as always, read on to get a grasp of the most recent funding opportunities available both locally & nationally for a variety of purposes.
SSEN Community Benefit Fund | 22nd November | General
Max award: £500,000
SSEN Transmission has created the Regional Fund as part of its community benefit commitment from its investment in Transmission infrastructure across its network area in the north of Scotland.
The aim of this funding is to bring positive benefits and a long-lasting legacy to communities across the north of Scotland.
You don’t have to be a registered charity to apply, but your organisation must have a constitution and not be set up for individual profit.
The fund focuses on people, place and alleviating fuel poverty. These themes should be reviewed in the context of a strategic fund, with the view of maximising impact to the north of Scotland.
SGN Safe and Warm Scheme | 8th December | General
This fund aims to support the creation of a network of community organisations that can provide much-needed support for people struggling with the current cost of living crisis and energy price cap increases.
This fund will support people in high-vulnerability locations who need help staying safe and warm during the winter period, as well as provide funding and support for initiatives addressing carbon monoxide safety and fuel poverty.
Funding is for projects and activities that ensure that vulnerable SGN customers in target areas will be provided with current information on the help available & how to access it.
Max award: £40,000
Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Community-led Award - Royal Society of Edinburgh | 5th December | Mitigation
Max award: £5,000
The Williamson Trust and RSE are looking to award ten demonstrator pilot-scale projects led by community-based individuals or organisations, who would each receive an award amount of up to £5,000 to conduct a research project for up to 12 months.
Applicants may submit only one proposal. ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’: Community-led Awards are funded for up to 12 months.
There is no minimum length of project. ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’: Community-led Awards can be held in any discipline however must speak to one of three topics: Climate, Nature or Food.
Closing Soon
Crown Estates Scotland - Sustainable Communities Fund - Environment Grants | 21st October | Adaption
Max award: £20,000
The Sustainable Communities Fund aims to support local communities across Scotland who have ideas that could bring positive economic, social or environmental change to their local area.
Grants between £5,000 and £20,000 are available for 18 months.
Applicants must be existing Crown Estate Scotland tenants, and must have a current occupation agreement with Crown Estate Scotland at the time of application and of award.
Examples of eligible projects include (but not limited to):
Biodiversity projects to restore and regenerate the local environment e.g. biodiversity planting and the removal of invasive non-native species in line with the new Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
Providing natural climate solutions e.g. riparian planting and restoring watercourses.
Facilitating a change to greener ways of operating and climate change benefits, such as: measures to support recycling or waste reduction; enabling green travel; activities that reduce flood risk, pollution or carbon emissions; projects that enable a circular economy approach; renewable energy installations.
Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme | 22nd October | Mitigation
Max award: £2,000,000
A total of £35 million is available as grants to charities and community energy groups across England, Scotland and Wales who focus on supporting those most in need in their communities with managing energy use and bills.
Organisations who work on the development of innovative products and services related to domestic energy use and projects focused on reducing carbon emissions will be considered.
The scheme prioritises support for vulnerable energy consumers, the development of innovative products or services and the empowerment of consumers to reduce their carbon emissions.
The funding streams available are:
The Main Fund, containing £27 million – aimed at projects seeking grants between £50,000 and £2 million that will support households in vulnerable situations.
The Small Project Fund, containing £1,000,000 – aimed at projects seeking grants between £20,000 and £49,999 that will support households in vulnerable situations.
The Innovation Fund, containing £6 million – aimed at projects that will develop innovative products or services to benefit households. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 and £1 million.
The Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund, containing £1 million – aimed at projects that will reduce UK carbon emissions and empower households to reduce their carbon footprint. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 and £500,000.
The Linnean Society - Our Local Nature Grants | 24th October | Mitigation
Max award: £1,000
The scheme provides grants to support innovative projects, designed and led by young people in the UK, which aim to increase access to local natural spaces and improve understanding of local biodiversity.
Grants of up to £1,000 are available, however applications for significantly lower amounts are welcome.
The Society will co-fund projects along with other organisations. Individuals and organisations who are linked to a school or community-based organisation that works directly with young people (16 and under) within the UK are welcome to apply.
Examples of eligible projects are as follows: school nature festival, . community murals showcasing biodiversity in the area, building or restoring a community garden, creating a nature walk, hiring a speaker to come and talk about local foraging.
Sustrans - ArtRoots Fund | 31st October | General
Max award: £15,000
This fund aims to enable communities in Scotland to make artistic or aesthetic improvements to traffic-free paths on the National Cycle Network, and ultimately encourage more active travel on the network by walking or cycling.
Eligible projects must demonstrate community involvement and engagement.
The grants offered are for services or goods invoiced or purchased between June 2024 and March 2025. Quotes must be obtained and submitted to Sustrans Scotland as evidence of the anticipated costs of the project before receipt of any award. It may be possible to receive funding before any costs for works are made. This must be approved by Sustrans Scotland before the grant is offered.
Planning permission may be required for some projects, such as the installation of artwork. Applicants should confirm with their local council if any permissions are needed to carry out their project.
Linder Foundation - Environment | 31st October | Mitigation
Max award: not specified
The Trustees are especially interested in charities whose work is centred around protecting and enhancing the natural world. Trustees are looking to support projects which:
Focus on land-based projects relating to biodiversity, such as sustainable farming practices, and/or species preservation/re-introduction.
Are locally or regionally based.
Can be rural or urban.
Could contain a research element that seeks to provide the evidence base for change and has the potential to be scaled up.
Involve volunteers and/or community engagement.
HDH Wills Charitable Trust | 31st October | General
Max award: £50,000
The Trust has three funds:
General Grants: supports smaller charities with general charitable activities across a range of issues as well as charities focusing on the conservation of wildlife and the environment.
Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust grants: supports the conservation and maintenance - for the benefit of the public - of the natural environment and its indigenous woodland flora and fauna with particular reference to the conservation and maintenance of the character and amenity of rural areas.
Large Grants: supports activities pertaining to environmental and wildlife issues only. (These grants are offered in fixed seven-year cycles, of which only two years are open to external applications.) The following funding is available:
Small grants - £500–£2,000 to general charities, which are small enough in size or are applying for support for a modest project such that the charity will benefit substantially from a donation. £1,000–£2,000 (though occasionally up to £5,000) to wildlife and conservation charities.
Large grants - Typically in the range of £5,000–£50,000 to support wildlife and environmental causes.
Sustrans - Places for Everyone ArtRoots Fund | 31st October | General
Max award: £6,000
The fund aims to enable communities in Scotland to make artistic or aesthetic improvements to Places for Everyone projects, and ultimately encourage more active travel.
Funding will encourage communities to participate in shaping their local environment and increase levels of physical activity.
Grants of £2,500 are available. Grants of £6,000 may be considered if applicants can demonstrate that the higher funding award would significantly impact the outcome and achieve a greater increase in new active travel journeys.
Constituted community groups based in Scotland can apply. Applications from individuals and other community-based groups or organisations, including non-constituted groups, may be considered at the discretion of Sustrans Scotland.
Grants are intended to fund small projects or items that will support or contribute to improving aesthetics and encouraging cycling or walking on Places for Everyone projects.
Successful ArtRoots projects will:
Put the power of creative change into the hands of the community.
Raise awareness of local Places for Everyone project.
Demonstrate strong knowledge of the local area and what artistic contribution could make the best improvement to the environment.
Encourage and build confidence in local communities to use active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) to visit or experience the project.
Asda Foundation - Cost of Living Grant | 8th November | General
Max award: £2,000
The Costing of Living Grant scheme is provided and administered by Asda Foundation, Asda's charity. The Asda superstores each have a Community Champion whose role is to support groups and projects within the community, as well as manage Asda Foundation grant applications. The Cost of Living Grant scheme is managed by the local Community Champions.
Proposals must be:
True to their community mission.
People-centred.
Efficiently run.
Locally focused.
The aim of the grant is to help local community groups cope with the increase in their running costs and the provision of warm banks is included. The priority themes for funding are: Increased rent and utility costs. Increase in food costs and other essentials. Volunteer-related costs. Grants between £400 and £2,000 are available. The request must be for one of the following fixed amounts: £400; £500; £800; £1,000; £1,200; £1,600; or £2,000. For volunteer recruitment and training, essential training course costs is capped at £120 per person.
More info
Asda Foundation - Empowering Local Communities Grant | 8th November | General
Max award: £2,000
The Empowering Local Communities grant is one of three grants within the Grassroots Grants programme, which aims to empower Community Champions and grassroots groups to apply for what’s important in local communities.
Proposals must be:
True to their community mission.
People-centred.
Efficiently run.
Locally focused.
The purpose of the programme is to support projects and activities which are important to a community which benefit local people. The programme is designed to support projects under three themes:
Essentials.
Improve/maintain a service.
Volunteering.
Grants of between £400 and £2,000 are available. The request must be for one of the following fixed amounts: £400; £500; £800; £1,000; £1,200; £1,600; or £2,000. Groups may apply for one Empowering Local Communities grant per year. Festive celebration events are available for up to £400 (and food is capped at £12.50 per person, and decorations and entertainment costs are capped at £100). Basic sports kit and equipment are available for up to £400. For volunteering costs, there is a £120 cap per volunteer.
Future Woodlands Scotland - Urban Forestry Challenge Fund | 15th November | Mitigation
Max award: £100,000
The aim of the fund is that cities, towns and urban areas in Scotland have more trees to improve the environment and support healthier, happier communities. The Fund aims to support projects in urban areas of Scotland that are aligned with the 3:30:300 rule, which ensures:
Everyone can see three trees from their home.
Every neighbourhood has a 30% tree canopy cover.
Quality green space is available within 300 metres.
The following levels of funding are available:
Small Grants of between £2,000 and £20,000.
Large Grants of between £20,000 and £100,000.
Any not-for-profit registered or constituted body in Scotland can apply. Applications from areas with the fewest trees will be prioritised. Funding is intended for costs associated with tree planting. Consideration should be given to what trees are planted, where they are grown and how they are planted.
Sustainable Spaces
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Max award: £5,000
The funding aims to support specific UK-based environmental, conservation and community renewable energy projects.
The theme for the current round is energy efficiency. The latest round of funding is targeted towards projects and initiatives working to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Applications are accepted from a range of UK based organisations, including charities, social enterprises, voluntary organisations, small grassroots community groups and businesses.
To be eligible, the organisation and/or project must: Be entirely based in the UK. and have a website or social media presence.
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Max award: £5,000
The funding is intended for both national and local charities across the UK so that they can fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities specifically for those in need (by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability or other disadvantage or distress) in the UK.
To be eligible, applicants must be supporting people in need in the UK by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability or other disadvantage or distress.
The main beneficiaries could be:
People suffering from sickness or disabilities.
People from diverse groups.
Disadvantaged or vulnerable people.
People suffering from financial hardship.
People suffering from mental health issues.
Be looking for funding to support projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of homes, community buildings and other buildings.
Have suitable governance to manage funds, e.g, financial reporting, committee meetings, etc.
National
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Max award: £5,000
The Women's Fund for Scotland (WFS) aims to promote systemic change in Scotland to empower women, and to help overcome the multiple disadvantages and discriminatory practices that females experience throughout their lives.
WFS has a vision of a Scotland in which women participate equally at all levels of society, free from any barriers to full and equal engagement in political, institutional, economic, and cultural life, including freedom from the fear of sex-based violence.
To date the Fund has distributed over £3m in grants to over 640 community groups and local charities. The Women’s Fund for Scotland (WFS) has £100,000 in total available to distribute in grants to projects across Scotland that support women’s development, self-sufficiency and social and economic equality.
To this end, the grant programme will offer unrestricted grants to sustain existing work with women and girls or to support new work in line with our investment themes and priorities.
The Women’s Fund for Scotland makes grants across six key investment themes:
Building skills and confidence
Improving health and well-being
Growing social connections Moving on from abuse
Developing leadership and innovation
Combatting poverty and building financial resilience
All applications will be considered according to WFS funding priorities. Applications which most clearly fit one or more of these will be prioritised. They are:
Women’s organisations, especially those run by and for women.
Community-based organisations running projects with women and girls.
Projects supporting disadvantaged women and girls
Empowering women and making a tangible difference to their lives
Supporting women to escape and recover from domestic, sexual, and sex-based violence
Using our limited resources for maximum long-term impact and improving organisational sustainability
To ensure so far as possible Scotland-wide distribution of fund
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Max award: £500,000
They will fund formal partnership projects that reach more people by either:
linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities. And inspiring them to take action.
influencing communities at a regional or national level. Like linking up groups across locations. Or a campaign that inspires change across one country, or the whole UK. They want to reach people who are new to climate action by funding other types of organisations too. And by using people’s everyday activities as a starting point for climate action.
They are particularly interested in projects that involve people, places and communities experiencing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.
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Max award: £2,500
The funding is for tree and hedge planting projects taking place during the 2024/25 winter planting season.
Funding can be awarded to:
Schools
Further education colleges and universities
Constituted community groups.
Childcare nurseries or care homes (charity or community funded).
Tenants and residents associations.
Parish/town councils/community councils.
Tree Warden networks (preference will be given to a Tree Council member network).
Community interest companies (limited by guarantee).
Small registered charities.
Groups must have a bank account registered in the name of the applicant organisation, into which the grant can be paid.
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Max award: No spec
The UK Community Tree Planting Programme supports projects run by community groups and voluntary organisations that engage communities in planting and caring for native species of trees. The Programme supports community projects that will:
Conserve, restore and protect indigenous trees and woodlands, forests, habitats and associated biodiversity.
Support community engagement in tree planting to promote reforestation and to increase awareness of the importance of trees and forests to environmental and human well-being.
Encourage social cohesion and inclusion.
There are two streams of funding available:
Grants for community woodlands/hedging projects that range from 100 – 25,000 trees planted per year, with a maximum price equivalent to £1.95 per tree (inclusive of tree protection and mulch).
In addition, these projects also receive two maintenance grants equivalent to £0.10 per tree, disbursed in the first and second summers after planting.
Grants for community orchard projects of up to 30 trees planted per year.
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Max award: £2,500
In 2024, the Arnold Clark Community Fund offers the following support: Cost of Living Support – funding to any registered UK charity or community group whose work directly supports those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, such as foodbanks, accommodation, poverty relief and where people/communities in the UK are the primary and immediate focus of investment. Our Communities Support – funding to projects embedded in the communities in which Arnold Clark operates and is available to organisations who provide services widely accessible to those within Arnold Clark local communities, addressing the needs of those living within them. Gear Up for Sport – 150 sports kits given away each month to support youth sports teams across the UK. Any youth team with up to 30 members aged 4 to 15 years can apply. Our Communities Support particularly welcome applications from smaller voluntary and community organisations who are working within our local communities. Priority will be given to charities and local community groups within a 50-mile radius of Arnold Clark branches.
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Max award: £5,000
Grants vary, but most are between £500 and £5,000. UK registered charities are eligible to apply.
Priority is given to charities in Scotland.
Funding is available for project costs, including capital, running costs and salaries.
Grants have previously been made for projects in the following areas: Child welfare. Medical research & support. Animal welfare. Services personnel welfare. Sea rescue. Community projects. Overseas support. Adult welfare.
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Max award: £10,000
The Small Grants Scheme is provided by the Foyle Foundation to support smaller, grass-roots and local charities in the UK with projects that have the potential to make a significant difference to their work.
Grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 are available for 12 months. Grants can be used for core costs or essential equipment. UK charities that have an annual turnover of less than £150,000 are eligible to apply.
Priority will be given to charities that are working at grass roots and local community level. Charities must be able to demonstrate ongoing financial viability over the next 12 months.
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Max award: £9,000
Funding is intended to promote access to justice (particularly for people trying to get support for their basic needs), equality of opportunity or a sustainable environment.
Two levels of funding are available: One-off grants of up to £5,000. Grants of up to £3,000 a year for three years.
Activities must promote:
Access to justice.
Equality of opportunity.
A sustainable environment.
The funders are particularly keen to hear from applicants working with vulnerable groups, including: Prisoners Asylum seekers People with mental health difficulties People (particularly children) with disabilities Women in refuges.
Funding may only cover identifiable items or activities such as: Publications Staff/volunteer training Publicity Events and equipment which can benefit many people in the long-term.
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Max award: £10,000
This fund aims to support the creation, enhancement, and upkeep of green spaces throughout Scotland. This includes both the creation of urban spaces, such as public parks, community gardens and allotments, as well as other environmental and conservation projects, such as ancient woodland restoration projects. Eligible projects include: Formal gardens. Public parks and pathways. Community gardens, woodlands, orchards, and allotments. Cycle ways. Woodland restoration. The Trustees encourage applications for the initial costs for design work in connection with new projects where this has not yet been considered.
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Max award: £15,000
In 2022/23 the Trust awarded grants totalling £66,976. Grants ranged from a few hundred pounds to £15,000.
Grants are available for individuals, organisations and institutions in the UK (and outside the UK at the discretion of the Trustees) carrying out projects of significance to: Horticulture. Gardening. Botany, with a strong horticultural element. Funding is available for:
The advancement of research in any branch of horticulture and the publication of the results of such research.
Assisting in the creation, development, preservation and maintenance of gardens accessible to the public.
Promotion of the cultivation of plants which have horticultural value and new plants.
Assisting in the publication of books or other works related to the science of horticulture.
Typical projects are as follows:
Gardeners' training schemes run by appropriate organisations.
Restoring gardens of historic interest.
Developing new gardens for public access and enjoyment.
Exhibitions, book publications, research and educational programmes relating to horticulture.
Expeditions to collect and protect plants of scientific and horticultural value.
Study visits by horticulturists or botanists with strong horticultural links.
More info:
Tel: 0131 248 2844
Email: d.rae@rbge.org.uk
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Max award: £6,000
Funding is at the discretion of the Trust. Thus far, grants have ranged from £400 to £6,000 per project.
Local and national charities, voluntary organisations, community groups and schools from across Scotland can apply.
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Max award: £500
The funding is intended for:
Diversity and inclusion projects that engage individual and groups from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Environmental projects that seek to support, conserve, or generate understanding of our environment and wild places
Health projects enabling people to gain physical and mental wellbeing from the Great Outdoors.
Education projects such as First Aid, D of E, Forest Schools and Mountain Leader.
Participation projects that get more people experiencing the Great Outdoors.
There is particular interest in projects that:
Encourage responsible outdoor activity.
Have long lasting benefits. Introduce new people to get outdoors.
Demonstrate value for money.
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Max award: £300
The Trust will consider funding projects in the following areas:
General charitable purposes.
The advancement of health or saving of lives.
Disability.
Overseas aid/famine relief.
Arts/culture/heritage/science.
Funding is at the discretion of the Trust. Most grants tend to range from £100 to £300. This Trust does not maintain a website. Further information is available by either calling or writing to the Ancaster Trust.
Applications must be made in writing to:
Enquiries
Ancaster Trust
c/o Sayers Butterworth LLP
3rd Floor
12 Gough Square
London
EC4A 3DW
Tel: 020 7936 1910
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Max award: £50,000
The funding is intended to be used for charitable projects that promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in the UK.
In the past, this has included:
The purchase of land Improving access to a nature reserve
Creating a lakeside path
Orchard projects
Protecting and recovering threatened plant species
Habitat restoration.
Conservation, research and education
Education centre gardens and wildlife areas.
Bird boxes for churches and village halls.
Volunteering projects.
The Trust does not maintain a website or an email address. Groups should write or call the Trust for further details on how and when to apply. Banister Charitable Trust Ludlow Trust Co Ltd Tower Wharf Cheese Lane BRISTOL BS2 0JJ Tel: 0117 313 8200
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Max award: £200
This fund aims to support outdoor learning activities in the Cairngorms by helping groups cover transport costs to and from the National Park.
In doing so, the fund will help overcome a key barrier to outdoor learning and enable access to the National Park for a wide number of teachers and voluntary groups.
Grants of up to 75% of the total transport costs, up to a maximum of £200, are available.
Schools, voluntary groups, and community groups in Scotland can apply. This includes groups and intermediaries who support and work with people experiencing some form of disadvantages, such as age, gender, race health, disability, and social or economic reasons.
Priority will be given to:
Schools and groups from areas of multiple deprivations, including urban areas near the National Park such as Inverness, Perth, Dundee, and Aberdeen.
Those who have not visited the National Park or worked with a National Park ranger service previously.
Groups that support people with disabilities, young people, ethnic minorities, and those who experience economic disadvantage or health inequality
The proposed activities should:
Take place in the Cairngorms National Park including the nine National Nature Reserves.
Raise awareness and understanding of the Cairngorms National Park.
Involve Ranger Services and NNR staff in the National Park where possible.
Help deliver Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning experiences
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Max award: None
The funding is for projects and activities that focus on environmental and human rights issues, as well as particular special interests of the Trustees.
The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time.
Applicants are advised to contact the Craignish Trust for further information.
Craignish Trust Geoghegan and Co.
6 St Colme Street
Edinburgh
EH3 6AD
Tel: 0131 225 4681
Fax: 0131 220 1132
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Max award: £5,000
The Community Right to Buy Fund provides support for communities to access professional services, where needed, to help with registering an interest under Community Right to Buy legislation. This could include legal title searches or help with mapping.
Communities can apply for up to £5,000 to help with registering a community interest in land/buildings through the Community Right to Buy legislation.
If you’re struggling to complete the application – we’re here to offer help and advice. Get in touch to discuss your proposal. If your problem is complicated and requires specialist professional services – perhaps legal issues around land ownership or boundaries – we have small grants available through our Community Right to Buy Fund. A grant of up to £5,000 for up to 80% of costs may be available to your organisation.
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Max award: £50,000
The trust offers grants to local, national and international charities in line with its strategic allocation covering activities in the following categories: Medical, health, sickness Economic, community, development, and employment Environment, conservation and heritage Arts and culture Animals Overseas aid and familne relief Education and training Relief of poverty Disability Accommodation and housing Religious activities Sports and recreation
Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees.
Grants of up to £20,000 are made to smaller organisations.
Grants of up to £50,000 are available for larger national charities.
Grants exceeding £50,000 are made in exceptional cases.
Please note many of the charitable institutions receiving grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 receive funding each year.
The Trust does not maintain a website or provide a telephone number. Applications must be made in writing. The Trustees may make grants with no formal application; however, if considered appropriate, organisations may be invited to submit a formal application. Applications can be made at any time and will be considered at one of the Trustee board meetings which are normally held six times a year. Contact the Constance Travis Charitable Trust for further information. Administrative Manager Constance Travis Charitable Trust 86 Drayton Gardens London SW10 9SB Tel: 01604 862296
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Max award: £4,000
The scheme is intended to support charitable organisations undertaking general charitable purposes. Previous grants have been for a range of activities such as conservation, education, environmental protection, help for disadvantaged children, music, research and transport.
This is a small trust with a small amount of funding to give away each year. Although funding is at the discretion of the Trustees, grants tend to be for about £4,000. The Trust does not have a website or a formal application form.
Applications should be made in writing with details of the project.
Applications are considered once per year at an annual Trustee meeting. Cuthbert Horn Trust Arnold Hill and Co Craven House 16 Northumberland Avenue London WC2N 5AP Tel: 020 7306 9100
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Max award: £20,000
Funds are focused on capital improvements that seek to support the development or improvement of facilities that will enable more people to cycle. Capital costs are generally assets, such as bikes, equipment, tools etc. Proposals for complementary activities to support behaviour change may be considered where there is a direct link to capital elements, e.g. bike maintenance training in conjunction with procurement of maintenance equipment.
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Max award: £500
The Greener Spaces, Fairer Places small grants scheme supports the work of faith groups taking small scale local actions which address the link between climate change and poverty.
Local faith groups registered as charities in Scotland, whose annual income is normally lower than £80,000, and who normally employ no more than 2 full-time equivalent staff members. Please note that we prioritise our grant awards towards groups with minimal resources.
Grants of up to £500 are available for local action around the following themes:
Community mobilising (eg events in your community bringing people together on climate action; outdoor installations & recycling; banner/ poster-making to raise awareness)
More effective use of community land (eg using land to grow food, create a community garden)
Respecting the environment (eg organising a local clean up, using buildings in a more eco-friendly way)
Local action on reducing fuel consumption (eg supporting sustainable energy use)
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Max award: £1,500
The grant scheme is open for applications and will provide grants of up to £1500 to support projects focused on children and families. The scheme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, via an on-line application form.
Local projects that focus on helping children and families. Tesco Community Grants will fund local good causes that focus on supporting children and families.
Funding pots of £500, up to £1000 and up to £1500 will be available for projects and Tesco customers will be able to choose which project receives the most funding by voting in store every time they shop.
The scheme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, via an on-line application form.
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Max award: £100,000
The types of grant we make, no matter what size, tend to fall into one of three areas:
operating/core costs
capital projects
projects/specific activities
We fund organisations working in the following areas:
Arts
Community
Education
Environment
Faith
Health
Museums and Heritage
Welfare
Youth
Don’t worry if your organisation works in more than one of these areas. We don’t earmark funds for specific areas of work or geographic regions. Any eligible organisation that meets our funding criteria has a fair chance of being funded.
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Max award: £25,000
This is a Government initiative which was introduced to reduce the impact of landfill sites on neighbouring communities by funding local environmental projects. The aim of the scheme is to enable landfill operators to support various types of environmental projects by donating a percentage of their landfill tax liability.
Projects must conform to one of the following criteria:
projects that involve reclaiming land, the use of which has been prevented by some previous activity
projects that reduce or prevent pollution on land
projects that provide or maintain public amenities or parks within 10 miles of a landfill site
delivery of biodiversity conservation for UK species habitats
projects to restore or repair buildings for religious worship, or of architectural or historical interest within 10 miles of a landfill site
community based recycling, re-use and waste prevention projects
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Max award: £15,000
The Tree Council and Network Rail are once again working in partnership to deliver a programme of community tree planting for the 2023/24 tree planting season.
Together, we have already planted more than 300,000 trees in 108 communities across the UK. For the 2023/24 tree planting season we will award funding for projects in three bands:
Main Grants - Projects between £2,500 and £5,000
Large Grants - Projects between £5,000 and £15,000
Flagship Grants - Projects over £15,000
Flagship Grants will be awarded in limited numbers to those projects that deliver a significant impact across our programme priorities. If you are interested in applying to this fund, please email grants@treecouncil.org.uk to find out more.
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Max award: £4,000
Grants are available for registered UK charities that are supporting people who are disadvantaged, plus there is assistance for medical and environmental groups. Consideration will be given to the following:
People who are disadvantaged (in the widest sense).
Personal development through adventure.
The environment.
Whether the charity will be able to bring life-changing benefits to its clients.
Whether a small grant (eg £500) will really make a difference to the charity.
How challenging the raising of the money for the particular cause will be
The number of people assisted per £ spent.
The viability of the charity and where the rest of the money will come from.
How much the charity spends on fund-raising and administration.
Whether the charity works locally, nationally or internationally.
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Max award: £75,000
The Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund Round 3 is now open for applications. This funding will support community transport organisations in making the switch to zero emission vehicles. This funding has been provided by Transport Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Government. The grant fund is managed and administered by Energy Saving Trust. This funding will be from Monday 8th July 2024 and will run on a first come, first serve basis until all funding has been allocated.
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Min award: £250 | Max award: £1,000
‘Pockets and Prospects‘ grants to SCCAN member organisations are intended to help you to reach out and engage more widely across your community, to initiate collaboration and joining up of climate activity with wider issues of inequality and disadvantage such as food/fuel poverty, climate justice etc.
They invite bids on less than two sides of A4 on a first come first served basis, to johanna@sccan.scot
Please ensure you provide name of SCCAN Member Organisation, Contact Name and full contact details along with summary budget – between £250 and £1,000 – for the activities, and a short (one page) description of what the grant will enable you to do.
Please include a description of your current activities/approach and how the grant will change this and how you will monitor and evaluate the quantitative and qualitative impact of the proposed activity.
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Max award: £25,000
Grants up to £25,000 are available to help environmental organisations to respond quickly to crises or opportunities. They welcome applications for work to seize an unexpected opportunity or to react to an unexpected, external crisis, enabling a significant environmental win or avoiding a significant loss, such as political changes, pandemics, sudden natural or man-made disasters.
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Max award: £50,000
SUEZ Communities Trust provides funds to undertake work that is eligible under the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF). Applications are considered for the five main areas of work:
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 (Object C): To provide, maintain or improve an amenity that is used primarily for leisure and recreation. The amenity must be open to all sections of the community for at least 104 days a year
Biodiversity (Object D): The conservation of biodiversity through the provision, conservation, restoration or enhancement of a natural habitat or the maintenance or recovery of a species in its natural habitat
Not-for-profit basis groups e.g. community groups, parish councils, charities, community interest companies, sports clubs, community associations, local authorities and voluntary organisations who own or hold a lease for the project site with at least 5 years remaining.
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Max award: £5,000
Funding can be used for core and project costs for charities registered in the UK. To be eligible charities must have an annual income over £50,000 and under £2,000,000. They are interested in charities working in environment and conservation which demonstrate:
Building strong communities and understanding how to engage with intended beneficiaries
Replicable and sustainable work
Value for money i.e. the costs vs the number of people reached and the scale of the programme
Maximising the use of volunteers
Support for older people
Support for marginalised/vulnerable younger people
Use of helplines and information support services
Sustainability of funding i.e. the charity will not be solely reliant on the grant for their work
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Max award: £500
Small, one-off grants are available for the benefit of local communities around Scotmid stores. Activities should focus on one of the following categories:
Children/Education (eg. schools groups)
Health (eg. promotion of healthy eating)
Fairtrade
Homelessness/Poverty
Arts and Culture (eg. community musical festivals)
Environment (eg. promoting a clean/healthy environment)
Elderly
Active Lifestyles (eg. encouraging exercise/fitness/sport)
The group or project must be based in or benefit a community served by one of our stores and within the geographic boundaries of one of Scotmid's Regional Committees.
There are no deadlines, however you must apply at least eight weeks prior to when the grant is required.
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Max award: £250
SEAD provides small grants for individuals or groups for positive action, and campaigning. They fund proposals where the grant will have the most impact, for example, helping a new campaign to get started, or funding a specific concrete action for a local community.
They are particularly interested in applications that focus campaign activity on the following areas: women’s rights, young people and their global rights, climate justice, inequality, poverty and health justice.
Notes on award amounts: Grants are typically £100 - £250. Annual total from 2021 accounts.
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Max award: £5,000
Grants up to £5,000 are available to support voluntary and community organisations, development trusts, social enterprises, charities and local authorities for projects and activities that encourage people to use woods more.
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Fund total: £11,000
The aim of the new Scottish Learning Fund is to enable early-stage and / or small community-based groups in Scotland who are involved in marine conservation activities to learn, share knowledge, network and develop skills with other groups.
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Max award: £25,000
Valencia Communities Fund supports community, heritage and biodiversity projects located within 10 miles of any active landfill site or transfer station accepting 2,500 tonnes of waste.
Applications to Valencia Communities Fund must be for distinct, whole projects and may be part of a phase of works of a larger project of no more than £100,000.
Local & Regional Funds
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Max award: £500
Available from the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub, their Climate Action Fund offers £500 grants to community groups to either kickstart a climate action project or carry out community engagement around climate change. A particular emphasis is placed on new groups or groups who have not previously engaged in climate action to apply.
REQUIREMENT: Membership of the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub. Become a member here.
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Max award: £500,000
SSEN Transmission has created the Regional Fund as part of its community benefit commitment from its investment in Transmission infrastructure across its network area in the north of Scotland.
The aim of this funding is to bring positive benefits and a long-lasting legacy to communities across the north of Scotland. You don’t have to be a registered charity to apply, but your organisation must have a constitution and not be set up for individual profit.
In this round the fund is worth a total of £2,000,000. You can apply for funding from £40,000 up to £500,000.
Aims:
People: Focusing on skills, training and employability
Place: Emphasising the community and culture of the north of Scotland;
Alleviating fuel poverty: Looking at strategic ways to help people across the region.
Priority will be given to applications which demonstrate strategic value - see the full details for what this means.
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Max award: £500
Applications seeking financial contributions for groups, projects and/or activities which benefit the Sinclair’s Bay community council area will be considered.
Village Halls are invited to apply for up to £500 in recognition of the wide community benefit provided by these venues, alongside projects/groups with a community benefit which are invited to apply for up to £250.
Micro-grants cannot be used to support the following:
The advancement of religion or party politics
Activities that are the statutory responsibility of statutory authorities
Projects benefiting primarily those resident out-with the area of benefit
Activities contrary to the interests of the donor
Activities likely to bring the Community Council, Foundation Scotland or the donor in to disrepute
Anti-renewable energy / windfarm activities
Retrospective funding (i.e. paying for costs incurred before a decision on an application for support can be made)
The repayment of loans or debt
Costs related to the sale of alcohol
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Max award: No specification
Community benefit funding to eligible projects in 10 beneficiary Community Council areas in the vicinity of Beinn Tharsuinn windfarm. These are Kiltearn, Ardross, Alness, Invergordon, Kilmuir and Logie Easter, Tain, Edderton, Ardgay, Creich, Dornoch Applicants are advised to contact the Community Council to discuss proposals before applying.
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Max award: £100,000
The Community Development Fund supports a wide range of local capital projects, such as sports facilities, gardens, slipways, village halls, heritage centres, play parks and exhibitions.
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Max award: £2,000
“Infrastructure” can cover everything from new waste bins, additional signs, or renovations to community tree planting, redecorating the village hall, or creating a wildflower meadow. The overall aim is to create more resilient community structures and spaces for the region, and to make the North Highlands an even better place to live.
The programme will consider grants of up to £2,000 which fit at least one of the following priorities:
Litter, recycling and waste capacity within the local area, including public toilets and motorhome facilities
Creation and identification of designated visitor parking areas, esp. for larger vehicles
More effective visitor signage and information on local facilities or amenities
Community well–being services that make our communities better places to live and work.
Community centers and spaces that bring your communities together
Sustainability and environmental Improvements and he encouragement of biodiversity or green spaces
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Max award: £250,000
The funding is a non-repayable grant of up to £250,000, which will cover between 10% and 40% of the total cost of a project. The minimum grant award is £20,000.
Projects with a total cost of £50,000 or less are therefore unlikely to be eligible. Projects can include anything that helps businesses and social enterprises to reduce carbon emissions and make progress towards achieving net zero, for example through energy efficiency measures, renewables, or waste management.
They will prioritise projects based in remote and rural areas where applicants may be eligible for up to 50% funding. HIE’s contribution to projects will be based on the financial need of the business or social enterprise. Applicants will be required to provide financial information on request to allow an assessment to be made.
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Max award: No specification
Each of the 21 council wards receives a discretionary budget and it will be for each ward to consider when they wish to commit funds. Any reasonable applications, normally from community groups and organisations will be considered. Some projects will be given priority, including those which attract funding from other sources. Examples of activity previously funded: beach cleaning; Christmas events and lights; equipment for pre-school groups; firework displays.
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Max award: £200
The aim of the grant scheme is to offer small, easily accessible grants to promote the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of waste in Orkney.
The grant is open to applications from:
Individuals from age 5 (supported by parent/guardian when applicant under 16 years old)
Community organisations
Schools
Church Groups
Charitable Groups
The scheme will run for two grant periods a year (Spring and Autumn).
Applicants can only apply once within a grant period and the money must be spent within 1 year.
Grants will be awarded for project associated with:
Waste Repurposing and Reuse
Waste Reduction
Waste Recycling
Travel within Orkney associated with the aims of the grant
Training within the aims of the grant
Please email OZW Administrator Nicky Getgood at orkzerowaste@gmail.com for an application form.
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Max award: £10,000
The broad aim of the Heart of the Community Grant Trust is to provide financial grants for community projects that deliver lasting change within the regions in which the Company operates. Those regions are: Shetland, Orkney, Highland and Argyll.
The over-arching principle for grant allocation will be to deliver lasting change within communities using the following criteria:
Health and Health Promotion
Education
Personal Development that leads to the enhancement of a community
Community Projects that benefit the majority
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Max award: £25,000
Through the Economic Development grant scheme, financial assistance is provided to assist applicants with the costs related to developing projects, where these projects meet key eligibility criteria and will result in extensive local benefits.
Projects applying for assistance under the Economic Development Grant Scheme will be expected to demonstrate that a number of the following primary outcomes can realistically be achieved:
Improved product quality
Import substitution
New market development
Improved productivity
Improved service delivery
Introduce new or improved manufacturing processes
Introduce new business activity
Projects which cannot demonstrate that they will achieve one or more of the above primary outcomes will not be considered for grant assistance.
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Max award: £100,000
The Shetland Islands Council Coastal Communities Fund offers grants of between £5,000 and £100,000 to projects that support the community and economic development of Shetland by investing in infrastructure, community capacity building, developing community assets and encouraging inclusive growth. Coastal Communities funding may be used to:
develop and regenerate Shetland communities, including infrastructure and community assets
create and safeguard sustainable economic growth and jobs
provide rural communities with the means and opportunity to address issues of poverty, access and inclusion, disadvantage and inequality
contribute to the net zero agenda through carbon reduction and renewable energy
support communities to develop projects that promote and develop local resilience in areas such as food supply, connectivity and energy
support community capacity building and community development
support opportunities for skills development and learning experiences
add value to Shetland’s economy through collective efforts including supporting the promotion of local produce and facilities, developing new products and external markets, and improving sustainability
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Max award: £500
Groups must be members of the TCV Community Network prior to applying for a TCV Chestnut Fund grant.
The grants fall into two categories – ‘Start-up’ grants and ‘Support’ grants.
Start-up Grants
These are for groups who have little or no money when they are first set up and are available to groups in their first year of existence.
The grant will enable them to begin practical work and will cover administrative expenses, e.g. insurance fees, postage, publicity or hire of meeting rooms.
The maximum grant will be £200.
Support Grants
These are for groups who have little or no money for tools, equipment and training.
This grant is available to all groups, regardless of how long they have been constituted.
The maximum grant will be £500.
Groups within their first year can apply for both the start-up grant and the support grant. We are keen to support our members to make applications and our Community Network Coordinator is available to help you with any questions you may have.
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Max award: £10,000
All projects that they support have to meet our charitable objectives and in particular must contribute to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and finite resources.
Your project should seek to address the climate emergency and ways of living that are consistent with the resource limits of the planet. We 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