Grant Directories

The Scottish Building Society Foundation funds local projects that help strengthen communities across Scotland by making grants to support relevant charitable or community organisations, which make a difference within their local area. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for initiatives that help to ensure future sustainability for vulnerable individuals and communities. The Foundation particularly welcomes applications that support community facilities, transport, open spaces, affordable housing, community development, poverty reduction, care for the elderly, events, youth education, and support for vulnerable people. The funding can be used to support costs such as equipment, running costs, staff or sessional workers, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets. The funding is provided in partnership with Foundation Scotland.

The Benefact Trust (formerly known as the All Churches Trust) offers grants to Christian charities and organisations across the United Kingdom and Ireland that aim to help communities thrive and tackle social issues such as helping vulnerable families, homelessness and poverty to climate change and cultural cohesion. Through the General Grants Programme the Trust supports the repair, restoration, protection and improvement of churches, cathedrals and other places of Christian worship where changes support wider community use and enable greater impact.

The McCarthy Stone Foundation awards one-off grants to grassroots and volunteer-led charities and community organisations, CICs and social enterprises that support the wellbeing of older people, the educational needs of young people and the urban regeneration of communities across the UK. Through the Small Grants Programme, the Foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 for projects that will make a difference to those who need it most in local communities, particularly those recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Ventient Energy A'Chruach Wind Farm Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support positive change by investing in a wide range of inspirational, community-led activity that is strategic, positive and creative and helps create a legacy of lasting impact. Applications are expected to address one or more of the following outcomes (or changes for the community): Advance rural regeneration though increasing opportunities for enterprise and vocational training; Enhance infrastructure including affordable housing, transport, broadband, community-owned property and access routes; Establish new community services and seek to improve or expand existing services, particularly with regard to young people and the elderly; Develop and improve community facilities; E...

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Stroupster Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support charitable activities that will help achieve the following outcomes: Improving or giving better access to communications and transport; Improving community assets and facilities for local people and visitors; Providing opportunities for young people; Providing support and opportunities for older people; Promoting enterprise and tourism; Improving the natural environment and access to it; Improving or giving better access to culture and heritage.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Kinross-shire Fund (Perth and Kinross) the foundation provides grants of up to £3,000 to support activity which will develop the vibrant life of the local community and ensure that the area is an attractive place to live, work and visit. Applications must contribute to at least one of the following themes: Community events; Community information; Community transport; Community welfare or healthcare support; Physical amenities; Recreational facilities; Support for care of the elderly; Support for existing voluntary organisations.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Harthill, Eastfield and Greenrigg (HEG) Community Fund (North Lanarkshire, West Lothian) the foundation provides grants of up to £35,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the George and Grace Thomson Trust (Dundee) Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 to support projects benefitting people in Dundee, particularly those which address poverty and social exclusion. Applications are particularly welcome which address the following issues: social exclusion; alleviation of poverty and disadvantage; empowerment (especially of women); asylum seekers; prevention of teenage homelessness.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the EDF Renewables Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund (Moray) the foundation provides grants of up to £30,000 to support charitable activities that benefit residents living in the areas served by the following community associations: Cabrach Community Association; Dufftown and District Community Association; Glenlivet & Inveravon Community Association; Glenrinnes Community Centre.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund (Strathpeffer) the foundation provides grants of up to £3,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund (Marybank, Scatwell & Strathconon) the foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £3,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Applicants should consider the community priorities that were first identified at an open day consultation in Contin in May 2015 and are reviewed annually. Current priorities are: access; history and heritage and improving outdoor spaces (woods and play park). However, the Fund will also support projects outside these priorities.  

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the EDF Renewables Burnhead Moss Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £4,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the EDF Renewables Burnhead Moss Wind Farm (Avonbridge and Standburn) Community Fund, the foundation provides grants of up to £4,000 to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the EDF Renewables Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of between £500 and £5,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Drone Hill Wind Farm Community Fund the foundation provides grants of between £250 and £10,000 to support community projects benefiting those living in the areas covered by Reston & Auchencrow, Grantshouse, Coldingham, and Cockburnspath & Cove Community Councils. Funding is available for charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Denny and District Community Fund the foundation provides grants of between £500 and £10,000 to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund the foundation provides standard grants of between £500 and £12,000 and Large grants over £12,000. The Fund will provide grants to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life and promote people's well-being;  Promote community spirit and bring people together; Foster vibrant, sustainable communities. Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, such as equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Carrick Futures fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Pinmore & Pinwherry, Girvan & District and Carrick. Priority will be given to projects that: Improve access to services (in particular public transport); Enable a diverse and sustainable population mix (services for young people and older people, but also activities that help create opportunities for families and working age people to live in the area); Improve equality of opportunity (including tackling poverty and disadvantage).

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Blackford Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £2,000 to support community groups and charities working in the Blackford Community Council area.  By providing grants to such groups, it aims to: Promote community spirit and bring people together; Enhance quality of life and promote people’s well-being; Foster a vibrant, sustainable community. 

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Barr Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to projects located within or directly benefiting Barr, South Ayrshire. Applications must benefit the community, which is geographically defined by the community council boundaries. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Ballantrae Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support projects located within or directly benefiting Ballantrae, South Ayrshire. Applications must benefit the community, which is geographically defined by the community council boundaries. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company the foundation provides grants of up to £20,000 to support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the area of benefit. Applications that address any of the following issues are particularly welcomed: Community facilities, services, rural transport, affordable housing, community development; Community or local events; Environmental projects; Heritage; Skills, employment, tourism, reducing poverty and disadvantage, improving rural business opportunities, building the capacity of community and voluntary organisations, supporting innovation and social enterprise; Sport, recreation and improving the health of residents; Youth and education, tackling out-migration of young peop...

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation is a grant making foundation that give grants to small and medium sized local organisations in the UK with a demonstrable track record of success working to address local issues in communities of extreme urban deprivation and deprived rural districts. Through the small grants programme the foundation provides funding of between £2,000 and £10,000 to charitable organisations with an income of less than £250,000 for projects that focus on Community Support. Examples of the kind of projects that can be funded include: CommunityServices; CommunityCentres; Alternative Education; Training, mentoring, employment and volunteering opportunities; Youth; Counselling; Family Support Services; Substance Misuse.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities.  Through the Baillie Gifford Multi-Years Awards grants of between £2,000 and £5,000 per year for up to three years are available for constituted community groups and charities to reduce isolation in Scottish communities; support financial inclusion; overcome homelessness; and improve employability and enterprise, particularly in young people.

The Allen Lane Foundation is a grant-making trust with a focus is on funding unpopular causes. The overall aims of the Foundation are to make a lasting difference to people’s lives; reduce isolation, stigma and discrimination; and to encourage or enable unpopular groups to share in the life of the whole community.  Funding is available to reduce loneliness and isolation, improve physical and mental wellbeing, help maintain independence and a quality of life for older people. The Foundation recognises the growing impact of dementia within the older population and on families, especially those who care for people with dementia. The Foundation is keen to support projects that seek to develop community initiatives that offer sustainable, long term support for older people in communities.

Grants totalling £250,000 per year are available to registered charities in the UK for projects with a social welfare focus and those working with disadvantaged people. The Directors are particularly interested in supporting the following areas of charitable work: Medical research; care of the elderly; general welfare; hospices; the deaf and blind; care of the physically & mentally disabled; and the Armed Forces.

The Hodge Foundation provides grants of up to £100,000 to UK registered or exempt charities such as special needs schools and universities for projects that address the objectives of the Foundation.  This includes supporting charities working with people who may be vulnerable or disadvantaged and who need assistance to improve their lives;  education and learning, both within formal school settings and practical approaches to learning which support young people to fulfill their potential and thrive including those with special needs; medical related charities specialising in the treatment and support for specific illnesses and research; and providing funds towards projects such as facilities in church buildings and inclusive activities for the wider community.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by the National Lottery to support local communities. The Grants for Improving Lives programme provides funding of between £20,001 and £200,000 to organisations with projects that address the following types of activity: supporting children, young people and families currently experiencing challenging circumstances; supporting people that have experienced abuse; tackling loss, isolation and loneliness; challenging discrimination and supporting people affected by it. Funding is available for up to three years.

Calor is the UK’s leading LPG supplier. The Rural Community Fund offers rural off-grid communities the chance to win funding for projects that will improve local life. Support is available for community centres, village halls, sporting venues, youth clubs, scout groups and initiatives to support the elderly. Funding is available for renovations, redecorating, equipment, or new LPG heating systems. Projects must be in a rural off mains gas location in the UK and be for the benefit of an off-grid rural community in England, Scotland or Wales and must benefit the wider community and not an individual. Once a project has been accepted it will need to gain as many votes as possible from its supporters. Projects with the most votes will become finalists. Finalist entries will then be reviewed and scored by a panel of judges. Previous winners have included a school garden project, a Music Instrument Bank and a Village Hall facelift.

UnLtd finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs. The Solutions for an Ageing Society Programme aims to support people in later life and ensure that living longer goes hand in hand with living well. The programme is looking to support social entrepreneurs that can offer innovative and inclusive solutions that contribute to ageing well, including improving outcomes for independence, connectedness and health and wellbeing. The programme also looks to support ventures that have a direct positive impact for carers and the care system. Up to £50,000 of investment funding is available along with six months of intensive support

Localgiving has teamed up with the Postcode Community Trust to provide the Magic Little Grants programme. The fund provides small charities and community groups with grants of £500 for projects that meet either of the following themes: Overcoming barriers to participation in physical activities in creative ways; Increasing social cohesion through developing access to sports and other recreational activities. 

Persimmon Homes Charity Foundation is providing grant funding of up to £1000 to registered charities, clubs, schools and other organisations which have already raised vital funds themselves towards projects to enhance their local community.  The type of projects supported to date have included support for foodbanks; projects within schools; and sports projects; etc.

The Henry Smith Charity is one of the largest independent grant making trusts in the UK. The Strengthening Communities grant programme is designed to support small charitable organisations working at grassroots level and aims to ensure that funding reaches the most disadvantaged areas of the UK. Funding of between £20,000 and £70,000 is available for up to three years to support work that enables: people from across the community to participate in activities which improve connectedness, opportunities and wellbeing; people who are excluded, vulnerable or facing hardship to have access to community-based services that support positive lasting change; a stronger, active, more engaged community. Funding is available for running costs which may include salaries, project costs, and small capital costs needed to support the work.

The Home Instead Charities (Previously Bring Joy Foundation) make donations to not-for-profit groups, organisations and charities that can demonstrate their commitment to creating activities designed to improve the lives of the elderly. Home Instead Charities will fund events, activities or pastimes that bring the joy and fun back into ageing.

The Rhododendron Trust makes grants of £1,000 to £2,000 to registered charities supporting the disadvantaged in the developing world and the UK and to those supporting the arts and wildlife. Smaller Charities are prioritised. In the developing world, the Trust prefers to support charities benefitting people affected by poverty and, for example, disability, age, gender, ethnic status, poor medical, welfare or educational infrastructure. In the UK, support is given to charities working with those disadvantaged by disability or mental illness; prisoners and ex-offenders; drug addiction; homelessness; carers; the elderly; disadvantaged children. Arts and Nature funding is mainly through the National Churches Trust and Fauna and Flora International, however proposals for small theatre and music projects, for the protection of cultural and natural heritage or environmental sustainability are accepted.

The Scotmid Co-operative is offering small grants to assist and support community projects and initiatives throughout Scotland. Funding is concentrated on the areas of Children/Youth; Health & Wellbeing; Fair Trade; Social Inclusion; Arts & Culture; Environment; 65+ Groups (age); Active Lifestyles; Community Group; Co-operative.To be eligible for funding, applicants must be a group or individual acting for the wider benefit of the local Community; and live within the geographic boundaries of one of Scotmid Regional Committees.

Small charities, schools and community interest groups with innovative ideas that benefit their community can apply for funding of up to £50,000 for projects that build more connected, more resilient communities; and give people the tools to become more financially independent. The funding is being made available through the newly re-launched Aviva Community Fund.

The objectives of The Edgar E Lawley Foundation are for general charitable purposes with particular reference to medicine, the needs of elderly persons, and to educational purposes with reference to the arts, commerce and industry. Traditionally the Foundation has given particular assistance to charities in the West Midlands area. The current annual grants programme amounts to approximately £200,000 per annum with a typical grant being in the region of £2,000 per successful applicant. 

The Clothworkers' Foundation aims to use its funding to improve the quality of life for people and communities that face disadvantage. The Main Grants Programme offers capital grants of over £1,000 and is open to charities with a turnover of under £15 million. The type of projects supported by the charity includes alcohol and substance misuse ;  disability; disadvantaged young people; domestic and sexual violence, support for the elderly; homelessness; disadvantaged minority communities; helping prisoners and ex-offenders; visual impairment and textiles.

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the armed forces community - serving men and women, veterans, and their families. It can provide grants and loans to those who are suffering financial hardship. Priority is given to projects in the areas of employment and training; family support; homelessness and outreach; mental wellbeing; and supporting the elderly to live independently. Examples of the activities that can be funded include providing a support or welfare service and capital projects, for example, to build a facility or to purchase equipment for the benefit of Royal British Legion beneficiaries.

Community Foundations support community and voluntary sector activity through grants to local groups and organisations. There are 48 Community Foundations of different sizes within the UK. Although all Community Foundations operate according to common criteria, they vary in terms of size and nature of grants available. Some Community Foundations will fund both organisations and individuals whilst other foundations will only fund organisations. Each community foundation covers a specific geographic area and will not normally be able to support work outside its area.

Voluntary and community groups, schools, community and town councils and health bodies can apply for grants of between £300 and £20,000 for projects which help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. Projects must meet at least one of their three aims: 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. Funding is available for activities including: putting on events, activities or performances; buying equipment; running training courses; starting a new group; educational toys and games; volunteer's expenses or professional fees; transport costs and refurbishment.

Foundation Scotland (formerly Scottish Community Foundation) is one of the largest funders of the voluntary sector in Scotland and last year was responsible for distributing over £9million on behalf of their donors. The foundation runs a diverse range of funding programmes for organisations across Scotland who work to benefit a range of interests, causes and communities, and they are particularly interested in supporting organisations where a grant will have a significant impact and enable them to achieve their objectives. The Foundation Scotland website enables you to search for grants available in each area of Scotland; funding amounts vary for each programme and start from as little as £250.