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 Empower grants programme for 2024 will solely focus on helping charities who support vulnerable groups/people.

The Empower programme provides unrestricted funding which gives charities much greater scope to cover all essential costs and deal with challenges quickly and effectively. Unrestricted funding can be used towards core costs, delivery costs, project costs and/or general running costs enabling charities to use their funding in the way that helps them best.  

Through this programme the National Lottery Community Fund aims to support activity that reduces the impact of or prevents financial insecurity. In particular, the fund wants to support activities and projects that enable people to have more resilience and are more able to identify ways to deal with the impact of the increased cost of living in their lives; can shape activity in their community to address the increased cost-of-living; and have more access to support and services that will help them to deal with the increased cost of living.

In response to the current cost of living crisis, the Volant Charitable Trust is for the foreseeable future prioritising the focus of its awards on charities and organisations who are particularly addressing poverty and deprivation, helping to support vulnerable groups who are most affected, with an emphasis on women, children and young people.

The Cosaraf Charitable Foundation Hardship Grant provides funding of up to £500 to help with the following: Household items (white goods and occasionally other items i.e. sofas, wardrobes etc.); Basic Living Expenses (Utilities or food); Work- or education-related expenses (interview clothes, school uniforms, laptops); Rent arrears and Council tax arrears, but only where there is a clear and obvious risk of homelessness (for rent arrears involving a social landlord please outline what support has already been offered to the tenant); Contribution to immigration-related costs, where the current immigration status directly causes financial hardship to the applicant. Applications will only be accepted from recognised social organisations such as charities, housing associations, schools and social services acting on behalf of a family or individual in need.

The Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation funds sustainable community projects throughout England, Scotland and Wales by making grants to support charities and community interest companies. The Foundation, has teamed up with Crowdfunder to make £100,000 in funding available. Organisations can apply for up to 50% of their crowdfunding target, up to a maximum of £5,000, to support projects that match one or more of the following themes: the environment and conservation; health and wellbeing; and the prevention or relief of poverty. Projects could include rewilding projects, community gardens, social inclusion and mental health projects, sports projects, community food banks, money management and budgeting skills, and educational projects for communities to reduce their carbon footprint. No deadline given.

The Royal British Legions Crisis Grant aims to support serving and ex-serving armed forces personnel and their families with unexpected expenses. The grant does not provide cash, but can provide essentials for applicants and their family in times of need. A grant might help you cover the costs of something like:  Vouchers to buy food; Funds for accommodation when someone is street homeless; Help to buy essentials; like clothing; Support with short notice travel costs (bus fare, petrol costs, etc). The RBL carefully consider the individual circumstances and needs, so don't hesitate to get in touch. However, help is not available for repayment of business debts, loans, legal expenses, medical care or where state assistance or statutory services are available.

The Royal British Legion Cost (RBL) of Living Grants are available to all serving and ex serving armed forces personnel, their dependents and carers. The programme is designed to allow the RBL to assist people who need help in a quick and easy way with everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs.

Asda’s charity, Asda Foundation, is committed to supporting local communities through grant giving and they believe it takes a whole community working together to improve people's lives. Through the Cost of Living Grant the foundation aims to support local community groups following increases in their rent, utility bill and food costs as a result of the cost of living crisis.There are TWO options within this grant. Groups must be clear from the outset which option they intend to apply for: A) Increased rent and utility bill support; B) Increased food costs support. A group may decide to apply for a combination of the two options.

The Artemis Charitable Foundation makes donations to charities operating in the UK and internationally primarily in four key areas; health; education; poverty; and the environment.

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 Asda Foundation aims to transform communities and improve lives by providing independent grants and support to locally relevant community projects throughout the UK. Through the Under 18 Better Starts Grant, the Foundation provides funding of between £400 and £1600 to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The funding is available to not-for-profit organisations for projects which give children the best start in life, encourage them to be active, and which tackle poverty, inclusion and wellbeing. Projects could include breakfast clubs, food and clothing banks, arts and crafts groups, brownies, scouts, training for counsellors, U18 sporting/physical activity-based groups, and Easter and Jubilee Celebrations for U18’s. Applications should be made through each local Asda store’s Community Champion. 

The Edith Murphy Foundation was established in memory of Hughie Murphy. Its purpose is to support other organisations (predominantly, but not exclusively, other registered charities) that: carry out research; support individuals who by reason of their age, youth, infirmity, disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances are suffering hardship, distress or are otherwise in need; relieve the suffering and care for unwanted animals. The value of grants made is normally between £500 and £5,000 although larger grants are made in some circumstances. Since its inception in 1993 the charity has supported over 650 organisations with grants of around £17.5 million enabling these groups to carry out ground breaking research as well as providing much needed support to those in need of care.

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 Cervus Trust fund the foundation provides grants to support charitable activities under the following themes: Food Poverty: projects that are empowering and help people to help themselves e.g. community growing projects rather than foodbanks; Mental Health: projects targeting those with depression and anxiety, support for those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACES), projects that help to develop emotional resilience; projects supporting carers with their mental health; The Arts: using arts, including music tuition, as an enabling tool to develop skills, confidence, and emotional wellbeing; Education: projects which involve outdoor education and play are preferred. School-based initiatives will be a low priority unless they involve non-statutory provision an...

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 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 Robertson Trust is an independent Scottish grant-making Trust which exists to improve the lives of people and communities experiencing poverty and trauma. The Trust provide funding for organisations and initiatives that address: Financial wellbeing - tackling the financial and material effects of poverty on people and communities; Emotional wellbeing and relationships - ensuring people have emotional wellbeing, and confidence and strength in their relationships with others; Educational and work pathways - equipping people for the future by supporting learning and skills. Through the Wee Grants programme the trust provides grants of up to £2,000 to constituted community groups and small charities with an annual income of under £25,000.

Borders Radio Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

MFR Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Clyde 2 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Clyde 1 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Forth 2 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Forth 1 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Tay 2 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Tay FM Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

West FM Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Northsound1 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Cash for Kids is Bauer Radio’s network of local charities, which operate across 22 areas around the UK. Its mission is to respond to the needs of children in their communities.  CFM Radio in Cumbria and South West Scotland provides funding through the Cash for Kids grant scheme to charities, schools and individuals to support local children who suffer abuse or neglect, are disabled and have special needs or who simply need extra care or guidance.

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a leading scientific society and charitable organisation, their aim is to advance physics education, research and application by providing positive and compelling experiences of physics to public audiences through engaging and entertaining activities and events. The Benevolent Fund provides financial help to IOP members, or their dependants, facing a critical need that cannot otherwise be met.

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.

The Woodroffe Benton Foundation is an independent grant making foundation for charities operating in the UK. It supports work that falls into the following categories: tackle poverty, provide care for the elderly, promote education and support environmental projects. Applications are welcome from UK charitable organisations for funding of between £500 and £2,500. The trustees prefer to contribute to core operating costs rather than a specific project. Applications are considered at quarterly meetings in January, April, July and October.

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 Scottish Power Foundation provides support for charities and not for profit organisations across the UK. Funding is available for the following purposes: the advancement of education; the advancement of environmental protection; the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science; the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage; the advancement of citizenship and community development.

The Henry Smith Charity is one of the largest independent grant making trusts in the UK. The Improving Lives grant programme provides grants to charitable organisations that help people in need when other sources of support have failed, are inappropriate, or are simply not available. Funding of between £20,000 and £70,000 per year for a maximum of three years is available to established organisations delivering services directly to beneficiaries. The Henry Smith Charity are looking for services which can demonstrate a track record of success, and evidence the effectiveness of the work.

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.

Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 are available to schools and not for profit organisations that want to improve childrens health. Funding is provided through themed funding rounds. Funding rounds to date have included access to free drinking water as an alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages such as fizzy drinks, fruit drinks, and sports drinks and holiday food provision to ensure that children do not go hungry during school holidays.

The Warm Homes Fund is a £150million fund administered by Affordable Warmth Solutions (AWS). The fund aims to help make households warmer, healthier and cheaper to heat. Running over 3-years and providing capital funding for the installation of affordable heating solutions in fuel poor households who do not use mains gas as their primary heating fuel. The Fund is open to bids from local authorities, housing associations and their partners and is broadly split in to three categories focusing on urban, rural and health-related solutions. Successful proposals will highlight the number of fuel poor households supported; strategic fit with the Governments Fuel Poverty Strategy; value for money; the benefit created i.e. energy efficiency increases and bill savings; and strength of delivery plans, project management and assurance of delivery.

Stop Hunger is a worldwide Sodexo initiative active in more than 40 countries. Through the initiative, the Sodexo Foundation donate time, skills and money to tackle hunger, support good nutrition and promote life skills in local communities. In the UK and Ireland the Stop Hunger Foundation is a grant giving organisation and its vision is to work with very best charities that exist to tackle hunger and malnutrition; promote healthy lifestyles; and develop life skills such as cooking. Previous grant awards have ranged between £1,500 and £120,000, however first time applicants can only apply for a maximum of £10,000. Organisations who have previously received funding include Fare Share who redistributes surplus food destined for landfill to local charities and community groups across the UK and Focus Ireland who support homeless people in Dublin by providing hot nutritious meals.

The Wilmcote Charitrust gives grants to Registered Charities and voluntary organisations working for the relief of poverty, sickness, old age and distress, the advancement of religion and education and such other charitable objects as considered appropriate by the trustees. Grants are made to a range of organisations including those whose work benefits ex-service personnel, medical charities, young person's charities, colleges and schools, religious charities and those that help the aged.

Tesco Stronger Starts programme supports thousands of schools and  local community projects across the UK, helping to fight holiday hunger, tackle mental health, support young people, host community events and much more. The scheme has supported over 40,000 community groups with more than £90 million in grants. Tesco Community Grants is open to charities and community organisations to apply for a grant of up to £1,500. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK.

The EDF Customer Support Fund helps those that are vulnerable with electricity or gas bill debts, and can also provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker. To be eligible you must be registered with EDF's Priority Services you will also need to have sought independent advice before you apply.

The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust was set up in 1998 to promote and support charities in the UK working in agriculture, rural development and insurance. The Trustees are particularly interested in initiatives in the areas of education of young people in rural areas; the relief of poverty within rural areas; research into agriculture associated activities; to advance the education of the public in relation to agriculture and to promote the benefit and social welfare of inhabitants of rural communities. The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust also provides small grants of up to £1000 through the NFU Mutual's Community Giving Fund which supports worthwhile community events, charities, schools and community group activities that are local to their operations.

The Columba Trust makes grants to charitable organisations for the advancement of the Roman Catholic religion; education and for the relief of poverty. The trust's main aims are to support students studying theology or related subjects, charities working with people who are homeless and projects associated with significant Catholic properties. The Trust supports a smaller number of charities each year and offer longer term funding of three to five years.

The Leng Charitable Trust makes grants for the prevention or relief of poverty, the advancement of education, religion, health, citizenship & community development, the arts, heritage, culture or science and the advancement of animal welfare. The Trust supports organisations working in Tayside, primarily Dundee. It will also support 'significant national Scottish causes' with a Tayside involvement. Applications can be made at any time.

The Trust supports the relief of poverty, education and religion as well as general charitable purposes in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

The Trust funds projects concerned with the relief of poverty or distress, particularly those relating to children, and the advancement of the evangelical Christian faith, both at home and abroad. The Beatrice Laing Trust offers grants to UK registered charities working throughout the UK, in developing countries and overseas. Grants are generally awarded on a one-off basis for capital purposes such as the purchase or construction of new premises, building extension, redevelopment or refurbishment, or the purchase of equipment and vehicles.

The Community Food and Health Scotland (CFHS) aims to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the opportunity, ability and confidence to access a healthy and acceptable diet for themselves, their families and their communities. The CFHS has grants from £500 to £3,000 available to groups and agencies who would like to tackle one or more of the barriers to healthy eating, such as affordability or availability, and the negative impact of culture and lack of food skills. CFHS welcome applications from groups or agencies working with and within low-income communities throughout Scotland.

Jewish Childs Day helps children who are blind, deaf, suffering from physical, learning or emotional difficulties; children who are abused, neglected, deprived or disadvantaged; children caught up in the ravages of terrorism and war; children caught in the poverty trap and children battling against severe illness or trauma. The grant offers many aspects including: wheelchairs and walking aids, educational and developmental computer equipment, therapy support and rehabilitation programmes, hearing stimulus and communication equipment, holidays, incubators, respirators, after school facilities, hot meals and home teaching for housebound children. Grants range from £500 - £5,000 and completed applications must be submitted by 30th December, 29th April and 26th August accordingly.

The charity aims to fight financial and consumer illiteracy and is dedicated to educating and informing adults and children about consumer and debt issues. It provides grants of up to £500 to help individuals to eradicate this illiteracy through self-development or innovative projects. Eligible groups can apply for grants of up to £7,500. Using funding provided by annual donations from the MoneySavingExpert.com website and proceeds from sales of books written by the website's founder Martin Lewis, MSE Charity aims to help communities break the cycle of debt by helping people to become more financially aware.

The Tudor Trust is an independent grant-making trust which supports voluntary and community groups working in any part of the UK.  The Trust particularly want to help smaller, community-led organisations which work directly with people who are at the margins of society: organisations which support positive changes in people’s lives and in their communities. The Tudor Trust don't have specific funding programmes designed to advance a particular agenda as they believe that the groups they support are best placed to identify problems and develop solutions.