Grant News
The Bank of Scotland has announced that its Empower programme has reopened for applications. The aim of the fund is to improve the quality of life for Scotland’s most vulnerable people. This includes people impacted by a range of factors such as their social, economic, geographic location, or physical circumstances. Examples of vulnerability can include people facing education barriers, mobility/transport issues, learning disabilities, family-related challenges, poverty, housing and employment difficulties, and poor mental health and emotional wellbeing.
The Empower Programme offers three to 5 year unrestricted grants of £250,000 (£50,000 per annum) to help small and local charities continue to provide their vital services and become more sustainable.
The funding can be used towards:
- core costs
- delivery costs
- project costs
- general running costs
The programme is open to charities with an annual income of between £150,000 and £500,000.
The launch of the Empower Fund is part of the Bank of Scotland’s new five-year strategy that has seen the launch of several funding programmes to help meet the needs and aspirations of vulnerable people in Scotland.
There is only a short application window and the closing date is 12 noon on 10 December 2025.
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