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 Stronger Starts
Tesco has partnered with Groundwork to create a £5.3m grant programme called Stronger Starts. Its goal is to give 1 million children a Stronger Start by helping fund healthy food and fitness activities that can improve their physical health and mental wellbeing – from breakfast clubs to playground equipment, football kits to gardening classes.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.Postcode Local Trust
Postcode Local Trust supports smaller charities and good causes in West of England to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.Postcode Community Trust
Postcode Community Trust supports smaller charities and good causes in Wales to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.Idverde Community Investment Fund
The idverde Community Investment Fund aims to empower local people to deliver sought-after projects that improve their local green space or the public realm, enhance the local environment and boost the wellbeing of local people.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 UK Under 26 fund
This fund aims to improve outcomes for children and young people in the UK (regardless of their nationality, culture or ethnic origin) who are wholly or mainly under 26 years of age.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.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. Applications are currently on hold while they develop a new funding strategy.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).Scottish Power 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 UK Under 26 fund
This fund aims to improve outcomes for children and young people in the UK (regardless of their nationality, culture or ethnic origin) who are wholly or mainly under 26 years of age.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.
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.People’s Postcode Trust
Postcode Trust supports smaller charities and good causes in Scotland to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.Scottish Power 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.National Lottery Climate Action Fund Our Shared Future
The National Lottery Climate Action Fund Our Shared Future funds partnership projects that reach more people by either: linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities and inspiring them to take action; or influencing communities at a regional or national level. You do not have to be a climate or environment focused organisation to apply.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.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.Baobab Community Fund
The Baobab Foundation welcomes applications to its £3m Community Fund from black and global majority individuals, organisations and collectives (18+) who are working towards racial justice. Grants from £5000 - £30,000 per year for up to five years.McCarthy Stone Foundation
The McCarthy Stone Foundation runs a number of grant programmes throughout the year for organisations supporting people over 65 and an annual income under £250,000 p.a.Screwfix Foundation
The Screwfix Foundation is a grant giving charity with a clear purpose to support projects that improve, repair and maintain homes and community facilities used by those in need throughout the UK. The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding up to the region of £5,000.Democratic Finance Scotland
Democratic Finance is an approach that combines citizen-led investment with democratically controlled businesses to build local economies that work better for the people who live there. The Democratic Finance Scotland programme supports community and social enterprises to secure their long-term financial sustainability by raising money locally to take ownership of important community assets and run democratic community-led business. Support is available for securing local sources of money; democratic tools for strengthening local control and involvement; and research and development.
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.