Discover Funding Opportunities

ANCBC Main Fund

The Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company Main Fund supports community-led charitable activities that promote rural regeneration and sustainability of communities in Annandale and Nithsdale, Scotland. Awards range from £500 to £20,000 and can support a wide range of costs and activities benefiting local communities. The fund prioritizes projects addressing community facilities, environmental initiatives including climate change reduction, heritage, enterprise development, sport and recreation, youth and education, and support for vulnerable people. Match funding is required for grants over £2,000, with 25% match needed for grants between £2,001-£5,000 and 50% match for grants between £5,001-£20,000. Awards can be multi-year, up to a maximum of 3 years, with total funding not exceeding £20,000.

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.

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.