Grant Directories

The Bank of Scotland Foundation recognises the profound impact that the cost of living crisis is having on people across Scotland.  To ensure that funding can reach those in real need, the Energise grants programme for 2024 will solely focus on helping charities who support vulnerable groups/people.The Enable programme is a joint grants programme with Lloyds banking group aimed at boosting community volunteering. Funding will be provided to charities to support projects delivered through volunteers. The programme provides restricted funding solely for volunteering projects/costs/initiatives such as: Volunteer database costs; Volunteer transport costs; Volunteer Manager salaries/partial salaries of charity employees whose role is to support volunteers; Volunteer training; Volunteer protective equipment/clothing/badges; Volunteer out-of-pocket expenses e.g. drinks/meals; Volunteer insurance; Volunteer administration e.g. newsletters, meetings; Volunteer advertising and recruitmen...

The Pawprint Trust provides funding for individuals aged 11-25 from across the UK with life-changing adventures both locally and abroad, that develop their skills, capacities, and capabilities. Funding is awarded annually for projects and activities such as international trips, camping adventures, personal development projects, and community projects.

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.

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 Cambusbarron Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £10,000 to support community projects benefiting those living in the Cambusbarron Community Council area in Stirling local authority. Applications should usually be linked to priorities identified in the Cambusbarron Community Action Plan. These include: Schemes or activities which protect, conserve or improve the environment; Schemes or activities which promote rural regeneration though increasing opportunities for local enterprise and vocational training; The development and improvement of infrastructure including transport, broadband, community-owned property and access routes; Proposals which seek to maintain, improve or expand community services and facilities, including health, welfare and education, parti...

The Ocado Foundation is the charitable arm of Ocado Group, working for the benefit of communities across the UK. Through the Ocado Foundation for Good programme, the Foundation provides grants of up to £1,000 to charities, community organisations, community interest companies, academic institutions, and local authorities for community projects which focus their efforts on three core areas: skills for the future, natural resources and responsible sourcing. 

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.

The Community Led funding programme aims to support communities in improving the areas in which they reside and the well-being of those most in need. Organisations are funded to deliver work that enables everyone in the community to have the opportunity to influence and participate in community-led activities and to ensure that people within the community are better connected and cooperate to enhance their well-being.  This can include projects that tackle problems associated with the cost of living crisis.

The aim of the UKSAR Volunteer Training Fund is to assist Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteering, by providing support for the costs of volunteers' operational training, to help improve safety and the quality of UKSAR services. 

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.

Tesco Community Grants support local projects that benefit children, families, and communities, with a focus on food security, education, and play. Eligible applicants include schools, registered charities, and non-profit organisations. Projects that can apply for funding include breakfast clubs, food-growing areas, and after-school clubs, as well as community-based initiatives like food banks and healthy eating programs. Voting for these projects occurs through Tesco's blue token system in stores, with the charity Groundwork UK administering the funds.

The Wood Foundation (TWF) is a Scottish based charity with a Global outlook. In Sub Saharan Africa and in the UK, TWF will invest in economic, community and enterprise initiatives which develop and support individuals to become caring and contributing members of society. The Foundation is proactive by nature and will only accept applications through our global citizenship programme.  Funding is provided through three programme: Making Markets Work for the Poor Sub Saharan Africa; Facilitating Economic and Education Development in Scotland; and Developing Young People in Scotland

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and supports individuals who have their social ventures firmly rooted in delivering positive social change. It operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from awards of funding to ongoing advice, networking and practical support. UnLtd resource community entrepreneurs to start-up; support those with more established social ventures to scale up; and are committed to developing an eco-system of support to make it easier for those who need help to find it. UnLtd offers a number of programmes with varying levels of funding and support. Please refer to the funder's website for details.

The Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) is a long-established independent grant-making body which invests in voluntary organisations and community groups across Scotland. The Volunteering Support Programme supports third sector organisations to create new volunteering projects to; increase the diversity of their volunteers (especially those experiencing disadvantage); and improve opportunities, skills and personal development through volunteering. The Fund also helps organisations enhance their services and improve their capacity to deploy, support and train volunteers. Grants are available to organisations with an income of less than £250,000.

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.