Great Glen Energy Co-operative Fund

The Great Glen Energy Co-operative Fund supports charitable activity that provides community benefit in the Loch Ness area of Highland Scotland. The fund originates from the Co-op's stake in the Millennium wind farm purchased in 2008, which produces enough clean green energy to supply around 36,000 homes. The fund makes donations to local community groups and organisations to assist them with creating new projects for the benefit of local people living in designated community council areas including Glen Urquhart, Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston, Glengarry, Stratherrick & Foyers, Dores & Essich, and Inverness West. The fund operates two grant streams: main grants of up to £10,000 for larger projects, and small grants of up to £2,500 that can be applied for at any time with decisions within four weeks. All projects must address at least one of three key themes: Environment, Education, or Equality. The strongest applications meet two or more themes, and all projects should demonstrate positive environmental impacts. Both revenue items (running costs) and capital items (equipment purchases) can be funded. Applications are welcomed from groups and organisations with a constitution set up on a not-for-profit basis. While applicants do not need to be registered charities, their activity must be charitable or for community benefit. The fund will not support activities that are the responsibility of statutory authorities, anti-renewable energy activities, retrospective funding, or the repayment of loans. Small grants are decided by Foundation Scotland with outcomes within four weeks, while main grants are assessed through board meetings held quarterly with telephone or video conference interviews conducted as part of the assessment process.