Discover Funding Opportunities

Pounds for Purpose

Pounds for Purpose is a grant program for young people aged 16-26 in Scotland who want to tackle social issues and create positive change in their communities. The program provides up to £500 to help individuals turn their ideas into action, with a focus on projects or businesses that have positive social or environmental impact. The initiative aims to support young people who care about and engage with climate change, poverty, inequalities, and conservation issues. The program is particularly interested in funding ideas that are fully formed and ready to implement, with preference given to those that have the potential to generate income and become social enterprises. Applicants can also access free one-to-one business support through Just Enterprise to strengthen their applications and develop their ideas into sustainable social enterprises. The program operates on a rolling basis, allowing applications at any time throughout the year.

The Ponton Trust Grants for Children and Young People

The Ponton Trust welcomes applications from locally-based charities focused on delivering activities in the Edinburgh and Lothian area that help vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people. The Trust provides grants to registered charities where funding will make a significant difference. Grants are available up to a maximum of £3,000 and are expected to be spent within 12 months of the date on which the grant is given. The Trust particularly supports proposals that demonstrate positive impacts on the lives of disadvantaged, disabled and vulnerable children and young people, or provide a general benefit for a defined community or group of young people. Larger organisations with annual income exceeding £1.5 million and/or with substantial reserves are discouraged from applying. The Trust meets quarterly to consider applications.

New Park Educational Trust Grants

The New Park Educational Trust operates by giving grants to organisations and, less frequently, to individuals for the advancement of education for the public benefit. The Trustees support charities working to help the education and development of young people, other organisations which carry out similar functions, and individuals who need assistance with courses. Grants have tended to be for equipment and project costs or for bursaries, with priority given to North East Fife and surrounding areas, though projects throughout Scotland have been supported. Salary costs have rarely been met to date, but could be met in the future for appropriate projects. Applications are reviewed quarterly at meetings held in February, May, August and November.

WATIF Driving Lesson Fund 2024

The WATIF Driving Lesson Fund provides financial support up to £300 for driving lessons to residents within the WATIF area of benefit in Scotland. The fund aims to enhance health and wellbeing, increase access to essential services, and encourage sustainable economic development by helping young people gain driving skills for employability, travel to education, and to reduce social isolation. Applications must be made by the person taking the lessons, and applicants can apply up to 4 months prior to their 17th birthday. Payment is made directly to the driving school or instructor upon approval. The fund is part of WATIF's broader mission to create a beautiful and vibrant place with a great quality of life for all through community partnership and support.

John Watson's Trust

John Watson's Trust awards grants for educational purposes to children and young people under the age of 21 who have a physical or learning disability, or who are socially disadvantaged. Grants are available to individuals or organisations working with eligible children and young people. Funding includes support for school and youth trips and residential experiences. The Trust is currently accepting applications on behalf of beneficiaries resident within Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian and East Lothian. There are several deadlines per year, and applications can be submitted online via the Trust's website.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) provides financial support to young people aged 16 to 19 who want to continue their education. The allowance is designed to help students stay in learning by providing weekly financial assistance. Students receive £30 per week during the academic year, provided they meet their agreed attendance requirements as outlined in their learning agreement or action plan. Each academic year, students must apply to their local council or college for EMA and complete a learning agreement. Payment is conditional upon meeting the attendance requirements specified in the learning agreement.

Young Carer Grant

Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £390.25 for young carers in Scotland. This grant supports young people aged 16 to 19 who are providing care for others. To be eligible, applicants must be caring for 1, 2, or 3 people for an average of 16 hours per week for at least the last 3 months. Recipients can use the grant for personal expenses like clothing, driving lessons, or holidays - no reporting on expenditure is required. Young Carer Grant can be claimed once per year until the recipient turns 20, with a mandatory one-year gap between applications. Applicants must wait at least one full year between applications or their claim will be rejected.

Whiteside Hill Wind Farm Community Fund

The Whiteside Hill Wind Farm Community Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in areas covered by the community councils of Kirkconnel and Kelloholm and the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District. This fund is provided by Netro Energy, which manages the Whiteside Hill Wind Farm. An annual amount of at least £135,000 per year, rising in line with inflation, will be paid into the fund for the operating life of the wind farm, which is expected to be 25 years. The fund opened in 2018. The fund prioritizes projects that contribute to Upper Nithsdale Community Trust priorities, including services and projects delivering economic benefits such as events, festivals, arts, employability activities, and tourism-related projects; activities demonstrating community benefits and building community capacity such as community-managed services, civic pride and environmental projects; and services addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups through early intervention, including young people and aging population engagement. Grant requests support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities. Multi-year awards for a maximum of three years may be applied for. Applications are prioritized when they enhance or are additional to normal service provision, demonstrate community consultation, and show evidence of working in partnership with other organisations.

The South Kyle Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The South Kyle Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides assured income to the communities of Dalmellington, Patna, New Cumnock in East Ayrshire and Carsphairn in Dumfries & Galloway. Foundation Scotland administers the fund in partnership with four local organisations. The fund operates on an initial four-year cycle (2023-2027) and distributes funding through four different strands: Paid/Contracted Support, Local Community Funds, Education and Training Schemes, and Flagship Change Projects. The fund's purpose is to enhance the lives of people living in these four communities by contributing to their wellbeing and sustainability. Common themes include improved built and natural environment, increased leisure and tourism opportunities, improved infrastructure and connectivity, an improving economy with training and employment opportunities, and improved opportunities for children and young people. The fund is designed to be purposeful, context-specific, collaborative, and accountable, with decision-making processes that are community-led.

The Bill and Lorraine Budge Foundation

The Bill and Lorraine Budge Foundation was established by Bill and Lorraine Budge and supports organizations whose focus relates to the health, education and the well-being of children and young people. The fund is particularly interested in groups working in the Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray areas but will consider organisations from across the UK. The Fund provides grants to support charitable organisations that operate in Aberdeen and surrounding areas or nationally and internationally, with work focusing on the health, education and well-being of children and young people. Applications are by invitation only. All applicants must meet Foundation Scotland's Common eligibility criteria.

SWEF Business Grants

SWEF Business Grants are available for young people in Scotland who are struggling to invest in their business venture and/or keen to take the business to the next level. Up to £2,000 of funding is available to support growth and development, such as expanding operations, upgrading equipment, or other business needs that will help increase revenues. The grants are designed for businesses that have been trading for less than 2 years and are earning more than £500 per month. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis monthly, and grants must be spent within one month of receipt. The fund particularly welcomes applications involving match funding and from applicants working full-time on their business. Successful applications clearly explain how the grant will transform the business and take it to the next stage.

Stroupster Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

This fund supports a wide range of charitable activity and development that principally benefit the residents of the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council area in Caithness, Scotland. The fund is provided by Schroders Greencoat, owner of Stroupster Wind Farm, with a donation of £149,500 per year (index-linked) being made to the fund for the wind farm's operational lifetime. The fund provides grants to support charitable activities focused on seven key areas: improving or giving better access to communications and transport; improving community assets and facilities; providing opportunities for young people; providing support and opportunities for older people; promoting enterprise and tourism; improving the natural environment and access to it; and improving or giving better access to culture and heritage. Approximately 20% of the fund is available for projects or services located outside the Dunnet & Canisbay area, provided there is clear and evidenced benefit to residents of that community. Grants are awarded up to £25,000 per project, with larger amounts considered on a case-by-case basis for transformational projects.

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.