Welcome to the latest funding update from Volunteer Centre East Lothian.
Funding Categories:
1 | FUNDING NEWS
Football fan raises £65,000 for men’s mental health in Euros walk challenge
Craig Ferguson has arrived in Munich ahead of Scotland’s first game at Euro 2024.
A Scotland football fan has raised over £65,000 after completing a 1,000 mile walk to Munich for charity.
Craig Ferguson, 20 of Paisley, travelled on foot from Hampden to the German city over 41 days to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health.
Mr Ferguson set off on May 4 and was welcomed by a guard of honour in Munich when he arrived.
He was raising funds for Brothers in Arms, a Scottish men’s mental health charity
Football fan raises £65,000 for men’s mental health in Euros walk challenge – TFN
2 | ARTS & CULTURE
Music for All – Community Project Funding
Grants are available to UK-based community groups that aim to bring musical projects to their local communities.
Deadline: 01 July 2024
https://www.musicforall.org.uk/
Michael Tippett Musical Foundation
Grants of up to £3,000 are available for the development of group music making in the UK, especially involving young people, with composing central to the project.
Deadline: 30 September 2024
https://www.tippettfoundation.org.uk/grants
Awards for Young Musicians
Grants of £100 to £2,000 are available for the UK’s most talented young instrumentalists in any genre, aged five to 17 years of age who, because of financial need, may be prevented from fulfilling their creative potential.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.youngsounds.org.uk/about
BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund
Grants of between £20,000 and £200,000 are available to support various audience related activities in the UK, including film festivals, distribution releases, multiplatform distribution proposals, touring film programmes, large scale and ambitious film programmes.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/audience-fund
Creative Scotland – National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations
Grants of between £1,000 and £100,000 are available to projects lasting up to 18 months for constituted artistic, creative, or cultural organisations across Scotland to deliver a variety of creative projects and activities and enable business changes or development projects that make the organisation more financially sustainable.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-funding/national-lotteryopen-fund-for-organisations#support
Pear Tree Fund for Music
Grants are available for charities, institutions, and organisations across Scotland to deliver projects and activities that promote the advancement of music.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.turcanconnell.com/the-pear-tree-fund-for-music
William Syson Foundation
Grants are available for charities, voluntary groups, and not-for-profit organisations to support the advancement of the arts, heritage, and culture in Scotland. Opens 02 September 2024
Deadline: 13 September 2024
https://www.williamsysonfoundation.org.uk/small-grants-fund
3 | BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE
UnLtd – Awards for Social Entrepreneurs
Funding and specialist support are available for UK social entrepreneurs to help them develop as social leaders, and to start up or grow their idea for a social venture.
Deadline: 30 June 2024
https://www.unltd.org.uk/awards
Growth Impact Fund
Funding is available to early stage growing social enterprises and charitable organisations in the UK to address the structural barriers that diverse organisations face.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.bigissue.com/invest/investments-funds-programmes/
Redundancy Payments – Financial Assistance
Assistance to help employers in the UK with severe cash flow problems to make necessary redundancy payments.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.gov.uk/staff-redundant/redundancy-pay
Scottish Community Alliance – Community Learning Exchange Fund
Grants up to £1,000 are available to local community groups in Scotland to facilitate learning exchanges with other community groups.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/community-learning-exchange/
4 | CHILDREN & FAMILIES
BBC Children in Need – Core Grants
Grants up to £120,000 to cover core costs for up to three years are available for not-for-profit organisations that are working with disadvantaged children and young people aged 18 years or under who are living in the UK.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/grants/apply/
Buttle UK – Chances for Children
Grants of up to £2,400 are available for children and young people who have experienced a crisis that has recently had a significant and enduring impact on their wellbeing and educational engagement.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.buttleuk.org
Variety Club – Equipment Grants
Grants are available for specialist equipment for the direct use of children up to the age of 18 years who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged and are resident in the UK.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.variety.org.uk/what-we-do/equipment-grants
Percy Bilton Charity – Grants for Organisations
Grants up to £5,000 are available to UK registered charities with primary objectives to assist one or more of the following groups: disadvantaged/underprivileged young people (under 25 years old); people with disabilities (physical or learning disabilities or mental health problems); older people (aged over 60).
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.percy-bilton-charity.org/applyOrg
Tesco Stronger Starts Grants
Grants up to £1,500 are available to all schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, with priority given to projects that provide food and support to young people.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/grant-funding
5 | COMMUNITY FUNDING
Home Instead Charities
Grants are available up to £1,500 for small grassroots community groups and small local registered charities that are providing activities and projects to prevent social isolation and loneliness for older people (the over 55s) in the UK.
Deadline: 31 July 2024
https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/charities/how-we-do-it/apply-for-a-grant/
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
Grants are available to voluntary organisations, charities and schools in the UK to assist with the care and relief of children, young people and adults with learning disabilities in the UK.
Deadline: 01 August 2024
https://www.bailythomas.org.uk/grants
National Lottery Community Fund – Improving Lives
Grants from £20,001 to £200,000 for up to three years are available for voluntary groups, community organisations, and other not-for-profit organisations across Scotland to help people facing challenging circumstances.
Deadline: 21 August 2024
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/grants-for-improving-lives
Foundation Scotland – An Suidhe Wind Farm Community Fund
Grants up to £9,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations for projects which benefit people living within the Dalavich, Furnace, Glenorchy and Inishail or Inveraray areas, which are in close proximity to the An Suidhe Wind Farm.
Deadline: 07 October 2024
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/suidhe
Argyll Community Housing Association – Community Action Fund
Grants of up to £500 to registered charities in Argyll and Bute for community projects.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.acha.co.uk/services-community-action-fund/
Henry Smith Charity – Main Grants – Strengthening Communities
Grants of between £20,000 and £70,000 per year for one to three years are available to support the running costs of small community-based organisations working in the most deprived areas of the UK to help people to make positive changes in their lives.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/explore-our-grants-and-apply/strengtheningcommunities-grants/strengthening-communities-overview/
National Lottery Community Fund – The UK Fund
Grants of £500,000 to £5 million are available to not-for-profit groups for projects which forge connections between communities to create a better-connected society across the UK.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/the-uk-fund
Scotmid Co-op Community Grants
Grants up to £500 are available to local voluntary and community groups and charities for projects that support local communities served by Scotmid stores.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.scotmid.coop/community-and-charity/supporting-local-communities/community-grant/
6 | ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION
Groundwork – One Stop Community Partnership Programme
Grants of up to £1,000 are available through a partnership programme to support not-for-profit organisations with local community projects that address social welfare and environmental issues.
Deadline: 26 July 2024
https://www.onestop.co.uk/community-partnership-page/
Sea-Changers Grant Programme
One-off grants up to £2,500 are available to UK-based marine conservation charities and not-for-profit organisations for projects that address specific marine conservation areas.
Deadline: 30 September 2024
https://www.sea-changers.org.uk/
Aviva Community Fund (with Crowdfunding)
Grants up to £50,000 are available for not-for-profit organisations in the UK who can raise their initial funding through a crowdfunding campaign for projects that address Aviva’s current themes of climate champions and financial empowerment.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/start-
crowdfunding?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=SEO&utm_campaign=ACF
Cruach Trust
Grants up to £2,000 are available to charities and other organisations to support gardeners, retired gardeners and the preservation of gardens throughout the United Kingdom. Additionally, funding can support a wide range of activities.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.wssociety.co.uk/charities/cruach-trust
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation – Grants
The minimum grant size is £30,000 and available to organisations doing legally charitable work in the UK that focuses on the Foundation’s funding priorities of improving the natural world, securing a fairer future, and strengthening the bonds in communities in the UK.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/
Lush Charity Pot
Grants range from £100 to £10,000 and are available to small grass-roots organisations working in environment, animal protection and human rights, with priority for less popular causes that aim to create long-term change and struggle to find funding.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.lush.com/uk/en/a/charity-pot-funding-guidelines
Material Focus – Electricals Recycling Fund
Grants up to £100,000 and are available to support recycling, reuse or repair organisations that test creative and practical methods for collecting unwanted electricals within the UK.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/partnerships-with-material-focus/funding-information/fundedproject-electrical-recycling-easier-across-uk/
National Lottery Community Fund – Climate Action Fund – Our Shared Future
Grants of £500,000 to £1.5 million over three to five years are available to local not-for-profit groups and partnerships for community-driven projects. They want to reach people who are new to climate action by funding other types of organisations too. And by using people’s everyday activities as a starting point for climate action.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/climate-action-fund-our-shared-future
Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund
Grants up to £15,000 and over are available for community groups, charities, community interest companies, schools, and other organisations to support tree-planting projects across the United Kingdom.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://treecouncil.org.uk/grants-and-guidance/our-grants/network-rail-community-tree-planting-fund/
Swire Charitable Trust
Grants are available for UK registered charities working to deliver positive and lasting change to UK society under three programme areas: opportunity, environment and heritage.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.swirecharitabletrust.org.uk/
7 | GENERAL FUNDING
People’s Postcode Trust – Scotland
Grants range from £500 to £25,000 are available for smaller charities and good causes in Scotland. Round 2 Opens 24 June 2024 short window to apply
Deadline: 01 July 2024
https://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant
The Fore
Unrestricted grants are available to enable small charities in the UK to grow, strengthen or become more efficient or resilient.
Opens 24 July 2024 short window to apply.
Deadline: 31 July 2024
https://thefore.org/apply-for-funding/
Seven Friends Foundation
Grants of between £300 and £3,000 are available to support small registered charities and charitable causes that are unpopular or do not receive widespread attention within the UK, with particular focus on deprived areas.
Deadline: 01 August 2024
https://sevenfriends.org/
RS MacDonald Charitable Trust
Funding is available for registered charities in Scotland in the following areas: tackling child abuse and neglect, visual impairment, neurological conditions, medical research and animal welfare.
Deadline: 03 Sept 2024
https://www.rsmacdonald.com/our-grants/
Grocers’ Charity Grant One-off grants are available to small UK registered charities for work in the specific areas of: relief of poverty, disability and inclusion, the elderly, health, military, environment and conservation, and the arts and heritage.
Deadline: 06 Sept 2024
https://grocershall.co.uk/the-charity/apply-for-a-grant/our-grant-process
MacRobert Trust
Grants are available for UK registered charities with a preference for organisations based in Scotland which have projects that address the themes set out by The MacRobert Trust.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk/grants/
Matthew Good Foundation – Grants for Good Fund
A small number of grants are available for local community groups, charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises in the UK for projects that have a positive impact on communities, people, or the environment.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.matthewgoodfoundation.org/grantsforgood/
The Access Foundation
Grants from £25,000 and £100,000 are available to registered charities, CICs, educational establishments and CIOs for projects that mitigate the digital divide by making computing facilities, support and/or learning available to disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://theaccessgroupfoundation.com/
8 | HEALTH
Vegetarian for Life Grants
Funding is available for charities and charitable organisations supporting older vegetarians and vegans.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://vegetarianforlife.org.uk/resources/grants
Hargreaves Foundation
Grants are available for charities and educational institutions that support those under the age of 18 years, and living with a mental health condition, disability or growing up in poverty through the mediums of sport and education.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.thehargreavesfoundation.org/
The Family Recovery Initiative Fund (FRIF)
One-off grants of up to £5,000 are available to organisations and groups working to support families affected by alcohol and drugs in Scotland.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.sfad.org.uk/communities/fund-for-families
The Pixel Fund
Grants up to £5,000 are available for registered UK-based charities and registered to support projects that promote the mental health and wellbeing of children and young adults.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://pixelfund.org.uk/
9 | LAND & PROPERTY
Screwfix Foundation
Grants are available to UK registered charities and not-for-profit organisations for projects that improve, fix, and repair buildings, homes and facilities specifically used by people in need across the UK.
Deadline: 10 August 2024
https://www.screwfix.com/landingpage/screwfix-foundation
Historic Environment Scotland – Partnership Fund
Grants are available for third-sector organisations in Scotland for projects and activities that deliver key strategic outcomes that are aligned with the policy aims of Historic Environment Scotland.
Deadline: 16 August 2024
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/our-grants/partnership-fund/
Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) – Project Viability Grant
Grants up to £10,000 are available to carry out an initial assessment of whether it is viable to bring a historic building in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales back into a sustainable use.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://ahfund.org.uk/
Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) – Net Zero Community Buildings Fund
Grants of up to £80,000 are available for community groups in Scotland to decarbonise community buildings.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://localenergy.scot/funding/lets-do-net-zero-community-buildings-
Community Ownership Fund
Round 4 grants are available to voluntary, community and charitable organisations in the UK to support them in taking ownership of local assets such as sporting and cultural venues, meeting spaces, community centres, pubs and shops that are at risk of closure. An updated prospectus and new Expression of Interest form for Round 4, the final round of the Fund, has been published. Round 4 Window 1 is open from 25 March 2024 to 10 April 2024. Round 4 Window 2 will open in late May. Specific timings for the final window will be published in due course.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/community-ownership-fund-round-4-how-to-express-your-interest-in-applying
Historic Environment Scotland – Historic Environment Grants Programme
Grants of up to £500,000 are available for formally constituted, not-for-profit organisations across Scotland to deliver projects and activities that support Scotland’s historic environment.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/our-grants/historic-environmentgrants-programme/#overview_tab
National Heritage Memorial Fund
Funding for charities, not-for-profit organisations and public bodies to help with the cost of acquiring historic land, buildings, works of fine and decorative art and other objects of interest which are important to national heritage.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.nhmf.org.uk/funding
Scottish Land Fund
Grants between £5,000 and £1,000,000 are available to organisations in both urban and rural Scotland which are community-led, community-controlled and defined by a geographic area that can demonstrate significant positive impact for the community as a whole. Applicants will have the opportunity to test out and develop their ideas with support from a Scottish Land Fund Adviser.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/scottish-land-fund#section-2
Edward Gostling Foundation – Capital Grants Programme
Capital grants of up to £250,000 are available for registered charities and CIOs for major capital projects that will cost at least £1 million and support the Foundation’s commitment to creating new and sustainable capacity that will transform lives and bring about a step change in the way care is delivered.
Deadline Ongoing
https://www.edwardgostlingfoundation.org.uk/capital-grants/
10 | POVERTY & COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
Grants up to £5,000 are available to registered UK charities that work with communities in the UK for projects that address specific categories set out by the Trust each year. In 2024, the focus is on Disability specifically employment and training to ensure better access, and Food Poverty given the increasing levels across the UK.
Round 3 Opens 01 July 2024
Deadline: 31 July 2024
https://austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk/
Pets Foundation – Preventing Pet Relinquishment Grants
Grants of up to £80,000 per year are available for projects which aim to keep pets with their owners and out of rescue, including projects providing emergency pet fostering for people facing crisis, subsidised veterinary care, neutering schemes and pet food banks.
Deadline: 31 July 2024
https://www.petsfoundation.co.uk/preventing-pet-relinquishment/
National Lottery Community Fund – Cost of Living Support Scotland
Grants of between £20,001 and £75,000 for up to one year are available for voluntary groups, community organisations, and other not-for-profit organisations across Scotland to help support individuals, families, and communities currently experiencing hardship as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Deadline: 21 August 2024
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/cost-of-living-support-fund#section-1
Grocers’ Charity Grant
One-off grants are available to small UK registered charities for work in the specific areas of: relief of poverty, disability and inclusion, the elderly, health, military, environment and conservation, and the arts and heritage.
Deadline: 06 Sept 2024
https://grocershall.co.uk/the-charity/apply-for-a-grant/our-grant-process
NFU Mutual Charitable Trust
Grants up to £50,000 are available to large charitable groups and organisations in the UK for projects that further the objectives of the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, particularly those that educate young people in rural areas and the relief of poverty in rural areas.
Deadline: 04 October 2024
https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/about-us/charitable-trust/applications-for-funding/
BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme
Funding for the purchase of essential items to meet the most basic needs of children and young people in the UK who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances. Where possible, items will be provided directly rather than awarding a cash grant.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.familyfundservices.co.uk/
COSARAF – Hardship Grants
Grants of up to £2,000 but only in exceptional circumstances will individuals receive a grant of more than £500 these are available for third party social organisations to support individuals and families across the UK who are in financial need and have exhausted all other sources of funding.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.cosaraf.org/apply-for-funding/hardship-grants-application-guide/
Faith in Community Scotland – Greener Spaces, Fairer Places
Grants of up to £500 are available to local faith groups and other related organisations for projects that address poverty and climate change in communities across Scotland.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.faithincommunity.scot/faithfulwelcomesmallgrants
Family Fund Trust
Grants up to £300 are available to support families and individuals for essential personal and household needs to assist families and individuals with low incomes, particularly those living on benefits.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/
Foux Foundation
Grants are available for registered charities across the United Kingdom and Ireland to deliver a variety of projects
and activities that address health, education, youth opportunity, and the relief of poverty
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.fouxfoundation.org.uk/
Hollyhock Charitable Foundation
Grants from £5,000 to £400,000 are available to local not-for-profit groups for projects which bring general benefit to residents and communities across Great Britain, with a focus on health, poverty, education and Christianity.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.hollyhockfoundation.co.uk/
Junius S Morgan Benevolent Fund
One-off grants of £500 are available are available to current and retired nurses, midwives and nursing associates living the UK and who are experiencing financial hardship for a variety of reasons.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.juniusmorgan.org.uk/grants/
Merchant Navy Welfare Board
Grants are available to support serving and retired seafarers, fishers and their dependants.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.mnwb.org/Grants_to_Organisations
Randal Charitable Foundation
Both small scale-grants (under £3,000) and larger-scale grants are available for UK based charities, voluntary groups, and other not-for-profit organisations to support projects and activities that directly assist people in the most desperate need, with a particular focus on directly saving lives and improving quality of life.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.randalfoundation.org.uk/FAQ
The Rozelle Trust
Financial assistance is available to smaller charities in Scotland that work to support the poor and disadvantaged in their local communities.
Deadline: Ongoing
http://www.rozelletrust.org/default.asp
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
Grants of £2,000 to £10,000 are available for small and medium sized local charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK with a track record of success working to address local issues in communities of extreme urban deprivation or deprived rural areas.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk/our-grants
11 | SPORT FUNDING
Aldi Scottish Sport Fund
Grants up to £2,500 are available through a random regional draw for local sports clubs in Scotland to support work in their local community. Opens Monday 20 May – Closes Sunday 23 June
Deadline: 23 June 2024
https://www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund
Barclays Community Football Fund
Grants up to £1,000 are available for not-for-profit organisations operating in an area of high deprivation to support delivery
of their football activities to engage with young people from underrepresented groups.
Opens 15 July 2024
Applications for the Footie for All Fund are currently closed
Deadline: 15 September 2024
https://thehub.sported.org.uk/barclays-community-football-fund/apply-now.html
Greene King IPA – Proud to Pitch In
Grants of up to £4,000 are available to support grassroot football clubs across the UK with a priority on supporting children up to the age of 18 access sport and physical activity and/or providing more equipment and opportunity for children.
Deadline: 01 November 2024
https://www.greeneking.co.uk/proud-to-pitch-in
Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust
Grants of up to £5,000 per court are available to clubs, community groups or teams in the UK to encourage vulnerable and underprivileged children and young adults to get active and enjoy taking part in sport.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.js25.co.uk/ApplyForFunding
12 | YOUNG PEOPLE
Essentia Foundation
Grants are available to community groups in Scotland for projects aiming to improve the health and social welfare of children and young people, and to support opportunities for training, enhanced learning and upskilling for young people up to 25 years old. The current round of funding supports grassroots organisations. Grants up to £9,000 available.
Deadline: 24 June 2024
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/essentia-foundation
Bòrd na Gàidhlig – Early Years Grants
Grants of up to £15,000 are available for voluntary early years groups that support parents, families and children aged 0 to 3 years, to encourage and increase the day to day use of Gaelic, and to encourage continuity into Gaelic education throughout Scotland.
Deadline: 27 June 2024
https://www.gaidhlig.scot/en/funding/funding-schemes/early-years-grants/
Learning through Landscapes – Local School Nature Grants
The aim of this fund is to promote outdoor learning among young children by providing schools and early years providers with outdoor resources and training. Successful applicants will include children in their decision making, whilst incorporating local communities.
Deadline: 06 September 2024
https://naturegrants.ltl.org.uk/
Leslie Sell Charitable Trust
Grants for trips or projects associated with the Scouts or Guides movement within the UK.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://lesliesellct.org.uk/
National Lottery Community Fund – Young Start Fund
Grants of between £20,001 and £100,000 for up to three years are available to voluntary and community organisations in Scotland for work that helps young people (aged 8 to 24) to become more confident and play an active part in realising their potential.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/young-start
Youth Scotland – Stand Up to Sectarianism Small Grants Scheme
Grants up to £5,000 are available to community-based youth groups to tackle local experiences of sectarianism in Scotland.
Deadline Ongoing
https://www.youthlink.scot/funds/stand-up-to-sectarianism-small-grants-scheme/
