Discover Funding Opportunities

Volant Charitable Trust Open Grants Programme

The Volant Charitable Trust Open Grants Programme provides funding to registered charities, community interest companies, and community organisations in Scotland. The programme aims to fund projects that will make a real difference to beneficiaries in Scotland. The Trust offers two funding tiers: Small Grants of up to £5,000 for one year, and Large Grants of up to £15,000 per year for three years (total of £45,000). The programme considers one-off projects or multi-year applications, with grants only in exceptional circumstances exceeding three years. Funding is specifically directed toward project costs and administrative core costs, not capital expenditure or retrospective costs. Applications are processed through Foundation Scotland, an independent grant-making charity. The Trust does not accept applications from individuals, only from registered charities and community organizations working in Scotland to benefit Scottish residents.

Stafford Trust Grant

The Stafford Trust considers applications for grants from charities registered in the United Kingdom, with preference being given to charitable organisations operating in Scotland. The Trust provides funding for specific projects and initiatives that demonstrate clear, realistic and attainable aims. Grants typically range between £500 and £5,000. The Trust does not normally support religious or political organisations, retrospective grants, student personal travel or expeditions, or general appeals. Applications are reviewed twice per annum in Spring and Autumn meetings. Successful applicants must pause for at least two years before reapplying, while unsuccessful applicants must wait at least one year.

Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund

The Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund supports charitable projects benefiting those living in the areas served by the community councils of Huntly, Strathbogie and Tap o'Noth and the area served by Cabrach Community Association. The fund receives an annual donation of £288,000 (2025) from Vattenfall, the wind farm developer, rising in line with the Retail Price Index, for the operating lifetime of the wind farm. The overall purpose is to support positive change by investing in a wide range of community-led activities that are strategic, creative and help create lasting impact. The fund prioritizes projects that improve community services and facilities, increase participation in culture and recreation, preserve the natural environment, promote rural regeneration including sustainable transport and business development, and celebrate the area's cultural and historic heritage. Grants can support equipment, running costs, consultations, staff salaries related to project delivery, and maintenance of community facilities. In addition to the main fund, there are two thematic schemes: Volunteer Development Bursaries offering up to £500 to individuals for volunteer training and skills development, and School Transport Grants totaling £7,000 annually for swimming lessons transport costs.

River Avich Hydro Open Grants Fund

This fund provides grants for charitable projects and activities that primarily benefit residents of Inverinan, Lochavich, Dalavich, or Kilmaha. It's part of the overall River Avich Hydro Community Benefit Fund. Started in 2021, the fund is provided by Awesome Energy Dalriada (AED), owner and operator of the River Avich Hydro-power Scheme. AED is a community benefit society set up and run by the local community to develop and operate the hydro scheme. The fund supports charitable activity that delivers on strategic themes set out in the Dalavich Improvement Group Community Action Plan, including Housing Development, Community Assets, Young People, Arts and Heritage, Transport Solutions, Environmental Projects, Economic Initiatives, and Health and Wellbeing Services. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities, including equipment costs, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations and feasibility studies, and repair or refurbishment of community facilities. There is no fixed amount of funding available in any year; the amount available is decided in June each year by Dalavich Improvement Group and is dependent on AED's profitability and other financial commitments.

Nadara Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund (Fyvie & Rothienorman)

This fund supports charitable projects that benefit people living in the Fyvie and Rothienorman sub-divisions of the Fyvie, Rothienorman and Monquitter Community Council area in Aberdeenshire. The fund was established in 2013 and will be available for the operating life of the wind farm, expected to be 25 years. The fund supports charitable activity that will sustain and develop the life of the community and ensure that the area is an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit by making grants to support the costs of relevant projects, services, and facilities. Applications are expected to demonstrate how they contribute to the objectives set out in either the Fyvie or Rothienorman Place Standard reports or Community Action Plans. The minimum grant available from this fund is £501, with no fixed maximum amount. The fund makes awards twice yearly, in May/June and October/November. Groups, businesses and organisations working to benefit people living in Fyvie or Rothienorman can apply, including private businesses where the project provides significant public benefit and fits with the charitable aims of the fund.

Nadara Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund (Auchterless, Inverkeithny & Fisherford)

This fund supports charitable projects that benefit people living in the Auchterless, Inverkeithny & Fisherford Community Council area in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is part of the Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund provided by Nadara, the owner of the Gordonstown Hill Wind Farm. The fund was established in 2013 and will be available for the operating life of the wind farm, expected to be 25 years, with an annual contribution of approximately £24,000. The fund supports charitable activity that will sustain and develop the life of the community and ensure that the area is an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit. Applications should demonstrate how they fit with the objectives of the Auchterless, Inverkeithny & Fisherford Community Action Plan 2015. The Panel has indicated a preference for awards made for the purchase of capital items or towards the costs of capital projects, rather than for revenue items such as travel costs or the subsidising of activities, so that the fund will have a long-term impact. The fund prioritizes applications that explore other funding sources, use local procurement where appropriate, consider sustainable development and environmental impact, demonstrate local consultation with beneficiaries, and consider partnership working with other organizations. Groups, businesses and organisations working to benefit people living in the three communities can apply, and there are no set application deadlines - eligible groups can apply at any time.