Local authorities, NHS Boards and Community Health Partnerships in your area may have pots of funding that you may be able to apply for. Contact them directly to find out what is on offer.
Links to funding sources
Small grants
Corra Foundation
Formerly the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland. Distributes funds to recognised charities in Scotland that are focused on improving the quality of life for people in Scotland who are disadvantaged.Bank of Scotland Foundation
The Bank of Scotland Foundation current small and medium and large grants programmes.National Lottery Awards for All Scotland
Any community group can apply to this fund which distributes money raised by the National Lottery. Groups should have a constitution but not necessarily be a registered charity. Grants range from £300 to £10,000.Co-op Local Community Fund
This grants scheme helps local organisations to fund projects that help to bring people together and make a difference. It is funded by Co-operative members donating some or all of their share of profits, which is then given away in the form of small grants. Members decide which projects are supported.Impact Funding Partners
Impact Funding Partners (formerly Voluntary Action Fund) manages a number of grants programmes around wellbeing and equality on behalf of the Scottish Government and other funders, including the new Volunteering Support Fund.Foundation Scotland
Foundation Scotland offers a number of funding awards, made up of money from the many different funds it distributes on behalf of companies, individuals, charitable trusts and community benefit funds.Comic Relief
Comic Relief supports medium-sized charities, working to tackle current key issues, with small, medium and large grants. 50% of funding goes to UK organisations.Charles Hayward Foundation
The Foundation has main and small grant funds for projects related to social and criminal justice, and a small grant fund for projects related to older people.FCC Scottish Action Fund
This scheme offers funding of between £2,000 and £40,000 to capital projects. The fund is managed by Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN), a not-for-profit business. Projects are supported which fall within WREN policy and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.Gateway Exchange Fund
Grants of up to £2,000 for constituted, not-for-profit groups. Priority will be given to projects that seek to involve or empower people to move on with their lives or fulfil their potential where they would otherwise not have the opportunity; for example, ex-offenders, people recovering from addiction. The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland.The Gannochy Trust
Funds Scottish registered charities working to create positive change for the people of Perth and Kinross, and projects for young people in the rest of Scotland. The trust offers different levels of funding (small, main and major) which can take the form of project, core or capital funding, or loans.The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
This charity was established primarily to aid the research into learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected by learning disability by making grants to voluntary organisations (including schools and Parent Teacher Associations) within the UK. It has small and main grant funds for research and general purposes.Hugh Fraser Foundation
Supports a wide range of mainly Scottish charities and non-profit making organisations. Application is by letter. Trustees meet quarterly, no specific fund website available but information can be found on Funding Scotland.Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
The Triangle Trust offers development funding for specialist community and voluntary organisations working with carers or the rehabilitation of offenders or ex-offenders within the UK. Grants of up to £80,000 are available.The Robertson Trust
This Trust's grants programme offers funding for activities that fall into their priority funding areas, to improve the quality of life and realise the potential of people and communities in Scotland. Offers different levels of funding from wee to large. Also has capital funds for community vehicles and buildings.Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
This is one of the largest funding trusts in the UK. In addition to its normal grant stream for charitable aims, it has a food fund. Applicants do not have to be a registered charity and the Foundation welcomes applications from social enterprises. There is no set grant limit.Crisis Changing Lives Awards
Crisis, the homeless charity, offer Changing Lives awards as part of their services for people who are working with their progression teams. This scheme provides financial awards to people who have been homeless to help them move towards a work-based vocational goal.The Social Entrepreneurs Fund
This fund, managed by Firstport, is available to individuals who wish to establish new businesses with social purpose. Awards are made at three levels ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 and the programme works in conjunction with the current Scotland UnLtd awards.Greggs Foundation
Greggs Foundation has a number of small grants programmes that aim to address the needs to disadvantaged local communities, including a Breakfast Club scheme, a Local Communities Project Fund and an Environmental Grant.Weir Charitable Trust
Supports Scotland-based community groups and small charities. It funds activities and services in sport, recreational facilities, animal welfare, health and cultural projects which improve the quality of life for people, either through a particular field of expertise or via a local community.Aviva Community Fund
This fund offers the chance to secure funding for an important cause in the community. Submit a project for your community organisation outlining what difference the funding could make. If you get enough votes from supporters in your community, you could be entered into the finals, where a judging panel awards the funds.Action Earth
The Action Earth campaign has small grants of between £50 to £250 available for practical activities that involve improving outdoor spaces or creating habitats for wildlife. Grants can be used to purchase plants, tools and materials, or to cover volunteer expenses.Tesco Community Scheme
Money raised from the 5p bag charge is used to pay for local projects to improve green spaces in communities. The grants programme (also known as Bags of Help) is managed by Groundwork, working in Scotland with Greenspace Scotland.Woodland Trust free tree packs for communities and schools
Offers free tree packs for communities and schools, available to be planted in November each year.Santander Foundation Discovery Grants
Discovery Grants support projects that improve people’s knowledge, skills or which provide innovative solutions to overcome social challenges. The projects must be wholly charitable. Grants are for no longer than one year.Postcode Local Trust
The Postcode Local Trust offers short-term, designated funding for local projects which support wildlife areas, sustainability initiatives, volunteer citizenship, indoor and outdoor spaces in England, Scotland and Wales. The Trust has a two stage application process. Expressions of Interest are currently being accepted for the first round.Postcode Community Trust
The Postcode Community Trust provides short-term, designated funding to grass-roots community sports, arts, recreation, physical and mental health projects taking place in England, Scotland and Wales. There is a two-stage application process.Idverde Community Investment Fund
Idverde UK, a nationwide contractor that creates and maintains parks and open spaces across the UK, to improve their green spaces, enhance their environment, and boost wellbeing. Constituted community groups in Great Britain can apply for grants of up to £1,000 for projects which transform green spaces.Skipton Building Society’s Grassroots Giving
This scheme funs worthwhile causes that make a difference in local communities. Between 2012 and 2018 the scheme has helped 975 community groups by donating £487,500.Stafford Trust
The Stafford Trust is a grant making Scottish charitable trust which provides financial support to charities registered in the United Kingdom, with a preference towards charitable organisations in Scotland. Grants of between £500 and £5000 are available.Steel Charitable Trust
Grants of between £1000 and £25000 are available community groups and charities within the following funding areas: arts and culture; environment; health; education; and disadvantage.Scotmid Community Grant
Scotmid Community Grant scheme supports community projects across Scotland that bring benefits to their local community. Up to £500 is available.Baillie Gifford Community Awards
This programme is aimed at supporting grassroots community organisations across Scotland, and will consider grants of up to £2,000 which fit at least one of their priorities: children and families, elderly, education, environment, health, physically disabled, homelessness, women, grassroots sports.Food for Life Get Togethers
Small grants to support community led food growing, cooking and sharing activity and Get Togethers.National Allotment Gardens Trust
Grant funding to registered allotment associations and committees for the improvement and development of facilities on registered and permanent sites.Community Learning Exchange
Funds the costs of a visit by members of one community to another community project, and will also fund follow up support between organisations.
Medium grants
Bank of Scotland Foundation
The Bank of Scotland Foundation current small and medium and large grants programmes.Impact Funding Partners
Impact Funding Partners (formerly Voluntary Action Fund) manages a number of grants programmes around wellbeing and equality on behalf of the Scottish Government and other funders, including the new Volunteering Support Fund.Comic Relief
Comic Relief supports medium-sized charities, working to tackle current key issues, with small, medium and large grants. 50% of funding goes to UK organisations.Charles Hayward Foundation
The Foundation has main and small grant funds for projects related to social and criminal justice, and a small grant fund for projects related to older people.FCC Scottish Action Fund
This scheme offers funding of between £2,000 and £40,000 to capital projects. The fund is managed by Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN), a not-for-profit business. Projects are supported which fall within WREN policy and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.The Gannochy Trust
Funds Scottish registered charities working to create positive change for the people of Perth and Kinross, and projects for young people in the rest of Scotland. The trust offers different levels of funding (small, main and major) which can take the form of project, core or capital funding, or loans.The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
This charity was established primarily to aid the research into learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected by learning disability by making grants to voluntary organisations (including schools and Parent Teacher Associations) within the UK. It has small and main grant funds for research and general purposes.Hugh Fraser Foundation
Supports a wide range of mainly Scottish charities and non-profit making organisations. Application is by letter. Trustees meet quarterly, no specific fund website available but information can be found on Funding Scotland.Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
The Triangle Trust offers development funding for specialist community and voluntary organisations working with carers or the rehabilitation of offenders or ex-offenders within the UK. Grants of up to £80,000 are available.The Robertson Trust
This Trust's grants programme offers funding for activities that fall into their priority funding areas, to improve the quality of life and realise the potential of people and communities in Scotland. Offers different levels of funding from wee to large. Also has capital funds for community vehicles and buildings.The Tudor Trust
Tudor is an independent grant-making trust which supports organisations working across the UK. They aim to support work which addresses the social, emotional and financial needs of people at the margins of our society.Paul Hamlyn Foundation
The Foundation funds organisations whose charitable activities help people to realise their potential and have a better quality of life. The foundation is particularly interested in education and social justice. There is no minimum or maximum size of grant that organisations can apply for. Applications can be made at any time.Healthy Heart Grants
Offers grants to support innovative projects that promote heart health and prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease within specific communities in the UK. Grants can be for up to £10,000 and applications are invited from voluntary and community organisations and researchers. There are two application deadlines per year.Henry Smith Charity
The Henry Smith Charity makes grants for work throughout the UK. Applications can be made for revenue and capital activity. Priority is given to work with groups experiencing social and/or economic disadvantage, for example, people with disabilities; and work that tackles problems in areas of high deprivation.Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
This is one of the largest funding trusts in the UK. In addition to its normal grant stream for charitable aims, it has a food fund. Applicants do not have to be a registered charity and the Foundation welcomes applications from social enterprises. There is no set grant limit.The Social Entrepreneurs Fund
This fund, managed by Firstport, is available to individuals who wish to establish new businesses with social purpose. Awards are made at three levels ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 and the programme works in conjunction with the current Scotland UnLtd awards.Volunteering Support Fund
The Fund is open to support third sector organisations to create new volunteering projects; increase the diversity of their volunteers (especially those experiencing disadvantage); and improve opportunities, skills and personal development through volunteering.Aviva Community Fund
This fund offers the chance to secure funding for an important cause in the community. Submit a project for your community organisation outlining what difference the funding could make. If you get enough votes from supporters in your community, you could be entered into the finals, where a judging panel awards the funds.Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund
The CSGN Development Fund supports projects in the Central Scotland Green Network area. One of the fund priorities is food growing projects with a focus on community-led or community-engaged activities, and encouraging the Good Food Nation ethos (that people in Scotland are able to buy, eat and serve food that is affordable, healthy and sustainable).ScottishPower Foundation
Provides funding to registered charities for the purpose of the advancement of education, environmental protection, 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; and the advancement of citizenship and community development.Steel Charitable Trust
Grants of between £1000 and £25000 are available community groups and charities within the following funding areas: arts and culture; environment; health; education; and disadvantage.People’s Health Trust – Active Communities Fund
Active Communities is a funding programme for community groups and not-for-profit organisations, with an income of less than £350,000 a year or an average of £350,000 over two years and for projects seeking investment of between £5,000 and £50,000 for projects lasting up to two years. Different UK areas are open for funding at different times of the year.National Lottery Community Fund grants for community-led activity
This funding aims to support communities to improve the places in which they live and the wellbeing of those most in need.National Lottery Community Fund grants for improving lives
Aims to support activity that helps people overcome challenges in their lives and helps them become more resilient.
Large grants
Bank of Scotland Foundation
The Bank of Scotland Foundation current small and medium and large grants programmes.Comic Relief
Comic Relief supports medium-sized charities, working to tackle current key issues, with small, medium and large grants. 50% of funding goes to UK organisations.The Gannochy Trust
Funds Scottish registered charities working to create positive change for the people of Perth and Kinross, and projects for young people in the rest of Scotland. The trust offers different levels of funding (small, main and major) which can take the form of project, core or capital funding, or loans.The Robertson Trust
This Trust's grants programme offers funding for activities that fall into their priority funding areas, to improve the quality of life and realise the potential of people and communities in Scotland. Offers different levels of funding from wee to large. Also has capital funds for community vehicles and buildings.Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
This is one of the largest funding trusts in the UK. In addition to its normal grant stream for charitable aims, it has a food fund. Applicants do not have to be a registered charity and the Foundation welcomes applications from social enterprises. There is no set grant limit.Community Assets
The National Lottery Community Fund Community Assets Programme offers grants of £10,000 to £1 million. The programme is focused on helping local communities to address specific inequalities or disadvantages through ownership of an asset. They want to fund work that is people-led, strengths-based and connected.People’s Postcode Trust
The Trust operates a grant programme which supports innovative and engaging projects of up to one year in length that bring a positive impact to local communities. Open and closing dates vary across the country according to region.ScottishPower Foundation
Provides funding to registered charities for the purpose of the advancement of education, environmental protection, 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; and the advancement of citizenship and community development.Garfield Weston Foundation
Supports a broad range of organisations and activities which share a commitment to making a positive impact to the lives of their communities in which they work, and which are drive by a desire to achieve excellence. Grants available across the UK to organisations in the following categories: arts; youth; community; religion; health; education; environment; and welfare, with regular grants up to £100,000 and major grants of £100.000 and over.Empowering Communities Programme
The Scottish Government supports various community-led regeneration projects through funds distributed through its Empowering Communities Programme.Climate Challenge Fund (CCF)
The CCF has supported projects involving food which aim to reduce carbon emissions associated with food by encouraging the growing and consumption of local food, by reducing food waste or by encouraging composting. Grants up to £100,000. Development grants can also be applied for.National Lottery Community Fund grants for improving lives
Aims to support activity that helps people overcome challenges in their lives and helps them become more resilient.National Lottery Climate Action Fund
Supports communities to take action on climate change, demonstrating what is possible when people take the lead in tackling climate change. With this funding, they will work together, share their learning and be active participants in a broader movement of change. Local food projects have been funded.Big Issue Invest
Big Issue invest offers social enterprises and charities a range of repayable finance options, from loans of £20,000 to larger investments of up to £3 million, as well as corporate mentoring and investment programmes designed for early stage social businesses.Catalyst Fund
The Catalyst Fund from Firstport is a new kind of social investment product that supports social enterprises to start and scale their businesses. It offers loans starting at £50k using a flexible, revenue-based payment model.
Themed
Charles Hayward Foundation
The Foundation has main and small grant funds for projects related to social and criminal justice, and a small grant fund for projects related to older people.Turn2us
Turn2us (the trading name of Elizabeth Finn Care) is the UK's largest, independent, direct grant-giving charity, helping individuals of British or Irish nationality, their partners and children with one-off grants or regular allowances towards meeting life's essentials. The charity gives practical help, advice and support.Women’s Fund for Scotland
This fund is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls across Scotland and raises money from individuals and organisations which is then distributed through grants to charities and community groups working with and for women. It support projects that promote women’s development, self-sufficiency, and social economic equality. Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available.Woodland Trust free tree packs for communities and schools
Offers free tree packs for communities and schools, available to be planted in November each year.Community Choices Fund
This Scottish Government fund supports participatory budgeting (PB) in Scotland. PB is recognised internationally as a way for local people to have a direct say in how public funds can be used to address local needs.Trusthouse Foundation: Community Centres and Village Halls
Trusthouse is interested in applications for capital projects at community centres in the most deprived urban areas and village halls in remote and economically deprived rural areas.
Area specific funds
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
Funds projects based within the former coalfield wards. Themes are health and wellbeing, community action, job creation and employment support, skills and training. Applications can be submitted at any time.Mineral trust funds
In some areas of open-cast mining the commercial operator gives a percentage of profits to a community fund. Ask your local authority for details.Wind Farm Community Funds
Foundation Scotland administers various local Wind Farm Community Funds across Scotland. Funding amounts vary across the areas.
Covid-19
Scottish Government Funds
SCVO keep a page up-to-date with dedicated funding specifically in response to the coronavirus pandemic as it becomes available/is announced.