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.

Community Assets Knowledge Exchange grant

The Community Assets Knowledge Exchange grant provides financial support to community organisations in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. This grant program supports training and learning activities specifically related to the ownership and management of community assets including land and buildings. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to fund training and learning needs associated with owning or wishing to own land or buildings in the Highlands and Islands. The program is administered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and requires applicants to be constituted community organisations operating in the Highlands and Islands region. This funding opportunity supports community asset development by building the capacity and knowledge of local organisations managing community-owned assets.

Social Investment Fund

The Social Investment Fund offers blended grant and loan investment to social enterprises, community organisations and charities across Scotland. The fund provides investments ranging from £10,000 to £250,000 per organisation with up to 25% in the form of a grant and the remainder as a loan. Loans are repayable usually over a 10 year period at a fixed 6% interest rate, and appropriate security may be required. The investment can be used for working capital, acquisition of assets, business growth, and capital expenditure. Investments must demonstrate that they meet charitable objectives including preventing and relieving poverty, advancing community development and urban/rural regeneration, or advancing education in Scotland. The fund is designed to fill the gap that exists in funding for organisations seeking to move into debt finance but unable to secure lending from a bank. Decisions are made by the Social Investment Committee, with the assessment process taking an average of 12 weeks.

Nadara A'Chruach Wind Farm Community Fund

The A'Chruach Wind Farm Community Fund supports community projects benefitting those living in the West Loch Fyne, Dunadd and Lochgilphead community council areas in Argyll & Bute, Scotland. The fund is provided by Nadara, the developer and owner of the A'Chruach Wind Farm. An annual amount of £149,000, inflation-adjusted, is paid into the fund each year for the operating life of the wind farm, expected to be 25 years. The fund began in 2016 and supports positive change by investing in community-led activity that is strategic, positive and creative, helping create a legacy of lasting impact. The fund makes grants to support the costs of relevant projects, services and facilities across a wide range of community priorities. The fund offers two types of grants: a Main grants programme (small grants £500-£5,000; medium grants £5,001-£25,000; large grants over £25,000) and a Multi-year Flexible Funding programme (£2,000-£10,000 per year for up to three years). The fund's priorities were informed by community action planning and include advancing rural regeneration, enhancing infrastructure, establishing and improving community services, developing community facilities, enhancing leisure and tourism opportunities, and capacity building for community organisations. Applications are assessed by a Community Panel made up of local residents, community councillors and people who work or volunteer in the communities. The fund particularly encourages projects that demonstrate additional funding from other sources, use local procurement, build capacity through skills development, and involve partnership working. Multi-year flexible funding is available for organizations that demonstrate reach across multiple community groups, commitment to continuous improvement, and potential for long-term sustainability. Micro grants of £250-£500 are also available through local community councils for smaller community initiatives.