VCEL Monthly Funding Update | August 2025

Welcome to the latest funding update from Volunteer Centre East Lothian.

FUNDING NEWS

Easy Fundraising

So far this year, over £3.5m in unrestricted funding has been donated to community groups and good causes through the easyfundraising platform. In August, a further £1million will be paid out. Get your organisation signed up to easyfundraising now so you don’t miss out on this free funding.
How does it work?
Through this free to use website, thousands of online retailers will donate money to your organisation when you and your volunteers, staff, trustees and supporters shop with them. Retailers who donate include Tesco, trainline, eBay, Boots, Argos, Just Eat, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Asda, Booking.com and 8,000 other well-known names.
Every three months, the donations your supporters have raised through their shopping is paid to your organisation, to spend on whatever you need. No forms to fill in and no fees to pay. easyfundraising is already trusted by lots of good causes in our area.
Get free funding this summer
This summer, another £1million in unrestricted funding will be paid out and your organisation can be part of it by setting up your free easyfundraising page here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/east-lothian/

ARTS & CULTURE

Idlewild Trust
The Trust offers grants of up to £7,000 to registered charities working in the following two areas: 

• Arts Grants: Nurturing Early Stage Professionals - grants support training opportunities for emerging professionals, working creatively and backstage, within the performing and visual arts, post-training, and at an early stage in their career.

• Conservation Grants: Objects and Works of Art - grants support the conservation of cultural heritage of recognised national and international importance in museums, libraries, galleries, historic buildings, or landscapes accessible to the public.

Deadline: 05 September 2025 (12:00)   
https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/
 
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.  This includes, but is not limited to, the promotion and development of the arts, including music, the visual arts, theatre, and literature. Grants of up to £5,000 are available.
Deadline: 12 September 2025  
https://www.williamsysonfoundation.org.uk/

Museums Galleries Scotland - Museum Development Fund
The Museum Development Fund is provided by Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) with funding from the Scottish Government.   The funding is intended to support museums to deliver medium-sized, strategic sustainable development projects in line with their own business plans and Scotland's museums and galleries Strategy.   Organisations running Accredited museums can apply for between £15,000 and £60,000.
Deadline: 17 September 2025 
 https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/funding/museum-development-fund/
 
Art Fund - Student Opportunities
Grants of £10,000 are available to harness the talent of university students to help realise a project at a museum or gallery in the UK.  Art Fund is offering funding to help museums, galleries and visual arts organisations provide paid opportunities for full-time university students to gain meaningful, developmental work-experience that enables them to further explore their interest in the arts, and related future career options before they graduate.
Deadline: 19 September 2025  
https://www.artfund.org/professional/get-funding/programmes/student-opportunities
 
Scottish Book Trust – Live Literature Programme
Grants are available to community groups and not-for-profit organisations in Scotland to deliver author events in their local community.  The Trust offers funding to schools, libraries, community groups and not-for-profit organisations based in Scotland to deliver literature events or author visits in their local community. 
The Programme works by the applicant contacting an author from the Live Literature Author Directory to deliver an event, and the Trust will pay half the set author fee plus expenses. Events can take place in person or remotely.   Applications are accepted from not-for-profit organisations based in any part of Scotland, including: 

• Schools

• Libraries

• Community groups

• Arts organisations

• Local Festivals

• Reading/writing groups

• Hospitals

• Prisons

• Organisations working with adults or children with disabilities

Applications from ASN settings and schools supporting vulnerable children are welcome. Organisations can apply more than once, regardless of previous outcomes, provided that they are not already waiting for a Live Literature funding decision. 
Deadline: 26 September 2025   
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/writing-and-authors/live-literature/apply-now-part-funded

Hugo Burge Foundation - Creative Grants
Grant funding is available to support projects, individuals, and organisations across the UK that promote creativity through three key areas: Creative Education, Creative Communities, and Creative Individuals.  The funding is intended to support creativity across the UK. There are three key areas: 

• Creative Education: Supporting projects that provide young people (ages 0-29) with opportunities to engage in creative activities. This includes funding for workshops in schools, field trips to cultural sites, and the purchase of materials for student engagement.

• Creative Communities: Aiding organisations, festivals, fairs and community groups that develop and deliver cultural and creative arts initiatives within their local areas.

• Creative Individuals: Providing individual artists, including those in visual and expressive arts, writers and craftspeople, with funding to support their artistic projects.

For the Creative Education and Creative Communities strands, the maximum award is £15,000. For Creative Individuals, the maximum award is £5,000.  
Applications will reopen in September for Round 2.
Deadline: 30 September 2025  
https://www.hugoburgefoundation.org/grants

Fidelio Charitable Trust
Grant funding to help individuals (over school age) and groups of exceptional ability in the UK that would not otherwise be able to carry out an artistic project or activity without financial support.   Grants of up to £5,000 are available.
Deadline: 1 October 2025  (noon) 
http://www.fideliocharitabletrust.org.uk/0

Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig Grants are available to assist individual artists and art organisations with the delivery of Gaelic arts projects in Scotland.  Individuals over 18, voluntary groups and professional organisations either based in Scotland, or undertaking art work in Scotland, can apply to this fund.
Deadline: 14 November 2025
 https://www.feisean.org/en/meg-en/
 
Turtleton Charitable Trust  
Grants are available to registered charities in Scotland for charitable projects in the fields of heritage, the arts and education. Grants are usually for between £5,000 and £25,000. Funding is intended for the advancement of the arts, culture and heritage, with a preference for visual arts and heritage. However, other aspects of the arts and culture will also be considered. A small number of applications each year focused on support for the disadvantaged and the advancement of education will be considered. 
Deadline: 31 December 2025
https://www.turcanconnell.com/the-turtleton-charitable-trust
 
Association for Industrial Archaeology - Restoration Grants
Funding is available for the restoration of historically, technically, architecturally, and/or archaeologically important industrial buildings, structures, machinery, vehicles and vessels within the UK.   Two funding streams are available: 

• Major projects - up to £30,000. Grants must form a significant portion of the total project costs (normally, at least 20% of the total project costs).

• Small projects - up to £10,000 for projects with total costs of no more than £12,500.

The grant is for capital funding only, not ongoing revenue funding.
Deadline: 31 March 2026  
https://industrial-archaeology.org/aia-awards/restoration-grants/
 
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Arts-based Learning Fund
The funding of up to £ 300,000 is intended to create a more equitable school system where high-quality arts-based learning is a core part of all children’s education.  Applications will be accepted from:

• Arts and cultural organisations working in partnership with formal education settings (including state-funded primary and secondary schools, SEND specialist schools, Further Education colleges, alternative provision settings such as Pupil Referral Units, and some types of state-funded Early Years settings).

• Organisations that are developing established programmes of work and/or testing new approaches.

Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.phf.org.uk/funding/arts-based-learning-fund
 
Creative Scotland – Open Fund for Individuals
Supports a wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland.   The fund is intended to support periods of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity, such as specific projects and productions for up to 24 months. It can support an individual’s time where this is related to specific creative outcomes.   
Grants are available for amounts between £500 and £50,000.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-funding/open-fund-forindividuals#timescales

National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations This fund aims to support organisations who seek funding to undertake creative activity such as a specific project or production, a programme of creative work, or a period of research and development.  This includes funding for:

• a specific one-off project or production or

• a period of creative research and development or  a longer term programme of work.

It can also support organisations to undertake business and organisational development that will:

• enhance their business sustainability through the development of new or more diverse income streams, or

• consider broader organisational development costs.

Eligible organisations can apply for funding between £1k and £100k for projects or programmes lasting up to 18 months.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-funding/national-lottery-open-fund-fororganisations
 
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/thrive/

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.  Applications are accepted all year round but must be submitted 16 weeks before any funded activity.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-national-lottery-audience-projects-fund

Creative Scotland – National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations
Grants of between £1,000 and £100,000 are 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. The fund is open all year round. 
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/open-funding/national-lottery-open-fund-fororganisations#support

BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE

Startup Mull

Grants to support any early-stage business on Mull (and surrounding islands) to become established and successful.   Any start-up business, working in any industry, established within 12 months and based on Mull (or nearby islands) can apply for support.  Existing businesses may be considered for an award but applications must demonstrate how the grant will achieve major changes to the business.   Grants between £5,000 and £10,000 are offered and paid directly to the business.
Deadline: Ongoing    
https://startupmull.com/the-startupmull-grant/
 
MMC Venture Capital
Equity investments available to early-stage UK SMEs that demonstrate high growth potential.  Although MMC Ventures can provide investments to companies in any sector, they tend to focus support on the following:

• Business software & Digital Media

• Financial services

• E-commerce

• Business services

The fund is open to all early-stage UK businesses that meet the definition of an SME.   
Deadline: Ongoing
https://mmc.vc/funds/
 
Pentech Ventures
Venture capital is available to UK businesses in the area of software development.  Pentech invests in teams who believe they can build a category leading software company.  Areas of interest include: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Big Data; Infrastructure such as Blockchain; and verticals that are enabled via the efficient use of AI and new infrastructure approaches, such as FinServ, Health, and Enterprise Transformation.   Initial investment is likely to be £500,000 to £2 million, with up to £10 million invested over the lifetime of the investment.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://pentech.vc/about/
 
Access to Work
Financial assistance is available to help organisations in Great Britain with any extra employment costs that result from employing a person with a disability.
Access to Work provides grants to employers towards extra employment costs which result from an employee having a disability. The programme aims to provide practical advice and support to disabled people and their employers, in order to overcome work related obstacles which result from disability.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

Kaleidoscope Investments (Ki)
Kaleidoscope is aimed at giving financial backing to help disabled entrepreneurs in the UK start their own business. The fund will assist in the development of the businesses it invests in and ensure they make a worthwhile return for investors.
Deadline: Ongoing (link may be slow to load)
https://www.kaleidoscope.group/ourservices/kaleidoscope-investments/
 
Foundation Scotland - Social Investment Fund
Grant and loan investments are available to social enterprises, community organisations and charities across Scotland to benefit local communities.   Objectives supported: Prevent and/or relieve poverty, Advance community development, Advance education and urban and rural regeneration.
Deadline: Ongoing (link may be slow to load)
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/social-investment-fund
 
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/apply-for-funding/
 
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.  To be eligible to apply, applicants can access the fund through the SCA’s member networks.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/community-learning-exchange
 
LaunchMe
LaunchMe is an accelerator programme for ambitious, social enterprise start-ups in Scotland. It aims to develop a pool of strong, capable and ambitious social enterprises that can go on to secure investment, so they can achieve social impact at scale. LaunchMe is looking to support eight social enterprises with the commitment and ambition to grow and achieve greater social impact.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.firstport.org.uk/business-support/launchme/
 
The Prospectory - Idea Fund
The funding is intended to enable people to test out an innovative technical solution that can deliver a social or environmental benefit.  The fund offers grants ranging from £250 to £3,000.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://theprospectory.com/idea-fund/
 

4 | CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Toy Trust
Grants are available for registered charities undertaking projects to support disadvantaged and disabled children who are under 13 years of age within the UK.  Grants of up to £5,000 are considered.  Funding is available to help disadvantaged children aged below 13 years and their families to: 

• Alleviate suffering.

• Support children through awful experiences.

• Encourage achievement through adversity.

• Purchase vital equipment.

• Provide care.

• Bolster existing initiatives.

• Initiate brand new projects.

• Satisfy basic needs.

Deadline: 15 August 2025   
https://toytrust.co.uk/
 
Trefoil – Organisational Grants
Grants are available for registered charities and other not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects and activities that support children with additional needs across Scotland.   
Deadline: 25 August 2025   
https://www.trefoil.org.uk/apply-here

National Lottery Community Fund - Supporting Change: Carers (Scotland)
Grants are available to voluntary and community and public sector organisations in Scotland for projects that will reduce health inequalities for unpaid carers through systems change.  Grants of between £500,000 to £2 million are available over 5 to 10 years.   The application process is as follows: 

• Applicants must first contact the National Lottery Community Fund to arrange a discussion with a funding officer about the project and its eligibility.

• Eligible applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. The deadline for applications is 28 August 2025.

Deadline: 28 August 2025   
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/supporting-change-carers

Kelly Family Charitable Trust
Grants are available for UK registered charities, working locally or regionally in the United Kingdom, whose activities nurture and support family life.  The funding is for charities whose activities involve all or most family members in initiatives that support and encourage the family to work as a cohesive unit in tackling problems that face one or more of its members.  
Grants will generally be worth up to £5,000.   The three principal areas that the charity wishes to support are:   Interventions that support families and help them in ways that prevent the fracture of the family unit, eg relationship counselling, mediation.

• Families where sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and drugs abuse threaten the integrity of the family unit.

• Prisoners and in particular their families, during and after the period of imprisonment.

Deadline: 1 October 2025  
https://kfct.org.uk/
 
Scottish Children's Lottery Trust
Grants are available for registered charities in Scotland to support projects and activities that benefit vulnerable children, young people, and families most at risk of poverty.  In 2025, three levels of funding will be available: 

• The Medium Fund (opening March 2025) - Grants of up to £10,000.

• Small Fund (opening September 2025) - Grants of up to £5,000

• Bright Futures Fund (opening September 2025) - The maximum grant has not yet been confirmed.

Deadline: 03 October 2025   
https://www.scottishchildrenslotterytrust.com/
 
Army Benevolent Fund – Grants to Organisations
Grants are available to charities and organisations that support the Army community, which includes veterans, serving soldiers, their families and immediate dependants.   The funding is intended to support charities and organisations with projects and activities that directly benefit the Army community in six key areas: independent living, elderly care, education and employability, mental fitness, families and housing. 
The application window for the November 2025 Grants Committee meeting is expected to open on 1 September and close on 7 October 2025.  
Deadline: 07 October 2025 
https://armybenevolentfund.org/need-our-help/charity-grants/
 
Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years Programme 2025-26
Grants are available for projects lasting up to two years which help enhance early childhood education and childcare settings of young children (birth to 5 years) from Armed Forces families.   
Deadline: 08 October 2025  
https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/armed-forces-families-fund-early-years-programme-2024-25/
 
Mother and Baby Unit Family Fund
A Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) is a specialist inpatient unit for people who:

• develop severe mental health problems in the later stages of pregnancy

• develop severe mental health problems during the year after their baby is born

You can claim towards the cost of travel, food and accommodation when you're visiting someone in an MBU, if you are the:    

• partner of the person who gave birth

• baby's other parent

• main carer of the person who gave birth

If you have children who are 16 and under, you can claim towards the costs travel, food and accommodation during their visits to the MBU too.   
https://www.mygov.scot/mother-baby-unit-family-fund
 
Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund
The Urgent Assistance Fund remains committed to providing emergency cash grants to help families who are struggling to provide essentials such as food, heating, beds and clothing for their children.   Applications must be submitted via a sponsor.   Sponsors can be frontline professionals working for a registered charity, housing association or public sector organisation who:

• are working directly with the children/young person

• have made a full assessment of the child’s or young person’s needs Children and young people must meet the following criteria:

• Aged under 21 OR aged 25 and under if the young person is care experienced.

• Living on a low income and experiencing financial hardship.

• Have experienced a crisis that has recently had a significant and enduring impact on:

  • their wellbeing

  • their development and education

• The family or young person has recently taken action to improve their situation, are actively engaging with support and are moving on from the crisis.

Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.aberlour.org.uk/get-help/urgent-assistance-fund/auaf-apply

True Colours Trust - UK Small Grants
Small grants are available to UK registered charities and community interest companies that are working to make a difference to the lives of disabled children (up to 25 yo) and their families in the UK.   Grants of up to £10,000 are available.
Deadline: Ongoing  (link may be slow to load)
https://www.truecolourstrust.org.uk/uk-small-grants
 
Family Fund Trust
Grants are available to help families, or groups applying on their behalf, in the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person up to the age of 18 years.   The Trust believes services to families with severely disabled children are most effective when they can be adapted to families' individual needs and personal ways of coping.  The Trust, therefore, encourages families to demonstrate the kind of support that would best meet their needs in easing the stress of caring for severely disabled children.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.familyfund.org.uk/
 
Family Recovery Initiative Fund
The Family Recovery Initiative Fund (FRIF) offers one-off grants of up to £5000 to groups that support families affected by alcohol and drugs in Scotland.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.sfad.org.uk/communities/fund-for-families
 
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://buttleuk.org/apply-for-a-grant/
 
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/how-can-we-help/equipment-grants-for-children/
 
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

Happy Days Children's Charity
Funding for families with children aged 3-17 who are disabled, have a special needs or have been abused.    The aim is to help as many people as possible by funding trips, experiences, respite breaks and group activity holidays for those who need them most. Details of the different types of trips that we offer can be found on the website.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.happydayscharity.org/applications
 
Children’s Alliance
Grants are available to not-for-profit organisations across the UK to give children and young people under the age of 18 access to water for learning, developing and playing. The objective of the programme is to give essential life skills and build children’s confidence and resilience, both physically and emotionally through water-based activities.  Priority will be given to disadvantaged children.  Applications can be made twice per year in September and March.

Deadline: Ongoing  https://childrensalliance.org.uk/our-work/community/

COMMUNITY FUNDING

Charles Hayward Foundation

Grants are available to UK registered charities for projects in the following categories: Social and Criminal Justice; and Older People.   The Foundation offers the following:

• Small Grants up to £7,000.

• Main Grants: 

• Social & Criminal Justice: between £15,000 to £25,000 per annum for one to three years. Up to £25,000 may be available for a pilot project.

Deadline: 14 August 2025   
https://charleshaywardfoundation.org.uk/
 
Inman Charity
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for UK registered charities carrying out medical, social welfare or general welfare activities within the UK.   
Deadline: 29 August 2025   
https://www.inmancharity.org/
 
SafeDeposits Scotland – Community Fund
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for organisations across Scotland to deliver projects and activities that enhance local communities by addressing issues such as sustainability, the environment, employability, and social and digital inclusion.
Deadline: 29 August 2025   
https://communityfund.safedepositsscotland.com/
 
Woodroffe Benton Foundation - Small Grants Programme
Grants of £500- £2,500 are available to smaller UK registered to support charitable projects in the UK that provide care for the sick and elderly, conserve and improve the environment, promote education, and help those in need as a result of disaster or as a consequence of social and economic circumstances.
Deadline: 31 August 2025   
https://www.woodroffebenton.org.uk/
 
Foundation Scotland - Network Rail Community Fund
Grants from £500 to £3,000 are available. A range of project costs are supported that align with the Fund's criteria, such as: 

• Economic prosperity: e.g. improving the economic wellbeing of communities.

• Equal opportunities: initiatives that improve equal opportunities through improving accessibility, diversity, and/or equality.

• Wellbeing: improving the environment, providing support, or promoting positive initiatives.

Deadline: 01 September 2025   
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/community-rail-fund
 
Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust
The funding is intended to support charities and community groups with the cost of an electricity supply connection to a community project - either to a new property or to upgrade an existing supply.  They can provide funding for the following expenditure: 

• Site, foundations and access

• Legal Fees

• Water/sewage connection

• Electricity connection

• Joinery (including kit costs)

• Brickwork

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• Decorating

• Heating

• Planning, Warrant and professional fees

• Kitchen/bathroom fittings

• Other Costs (eg self build/trade works etc).Applications relating to connections or upgrades for renewable energy installations will be considered.

Deadline: 03 September 2025  
https://www.shect.org/

 
SUEZ Communities Fund Scotland The SUEZ Communities Fund - Scotland supports community improvement projects that fall under the following categories: 

• Land Reclamation (Object A)

• Community Recycling (Object B)

• Public Amenities (Object C)

• Biodiversity (Object D)

• Historic Buildings, Structures or Sites (Object E)

Grants of between £3,000 and £20,000 are available.  Projects applying for Public Amenity, Biodiversity or Historic Building funding must be on a site that is within 10 miles of a landfill site or transfer station.
Deadline: 10 September 2025   
https://grantscape.org.uk/fund/suez-communities-fund/suez-communities-fund-scotland-2/
 
The Society Foundation
Grants of £2,500 are available once a year to UK registered charities and charitable organisations across the UK that are seeking to help specific groups of people move towards paid employment.  The funding is intended to support people from the following groups move toward paid employment: 

• The recently homeless or vulnerably housed.

• Ex-offenders.

• Young people (16-24 years old) not in employment, education or training (NEET).

Deadline: 12 September 2025 (noon)
https://society-foundation.org/apply
 
Bank of Scotland Foundation - Thrive Programme
This is a targeted grants programme developed to support charities providing financial advice, building financial resilience, delivering financial education or simply encouraging good financial health with people living in vulnerable circumstances.  This could include providing practical financial support, budgeting assistance, help with debt management, financial education, and personalised advice, to help people navigate financial challenges and build long-term resilience.
The funding is also available to charities who currently offer financial resilience related activities but for whom this is not their core purpose. 
This could be charities who have a primary purpose, for example, such as homelessness, disability, ethnicity, mental health and domestic abuse. Unrestricted funding can be used towards core costs, delivery costs, project costs and/or general running costs enabling charities to use their funding in the way that helps them best and deal with challenges quickly and effectively.   Thrive will open to applications at noon on Monday 8 September 2025.
Deadline: 17 September 2025 (noon)  
https://bankofscotlandfoundation.org/funding-programmes/thrive     
 
Thomas Wall Trust - Grants for Registered Charities
Grants are available for UK registered charities for specific projects that improves communication skills for disadvantaged adults and supports NEET people into employment.   Grants of up to £5,000 are available.   Proposals are particularly welcome which target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups demonstrably facing major hurdles to employment, such as women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, and beneficiaries must gain at least one accredited vocational qualification during delivery or within two months of project completion.
Deadline: 22 September 2025 
https://www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk/
 
People's Postcode Trust – Scotland
The aim of People's Postcode Trust is to support smaller charities and good causes in the Scotland to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet. Grants range from £500 to £25,000. 
The fund will open on 25 September and close on 6 October 2025. Deadline: 6 October 2025  
https://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/
 
W.G. Edwards Charitable Foundation
Grants are available to UK-based charities that can demonstrate how they are making the lives of people over the age of 65 years better.  Grants tend to be between £1,000 and £1,500.
Deadline: 12 December 2025  
https://wgedwardscharitablefoundation.org.uk/
 
Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust
Grants are available to UK based charities for projects that support people of all ages who are socially disadvantaged and/or have disabilities.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://ajct.org.uk/en
 
Pub is the Hub
Pub is the Hub encourages rural pub owners, licensees, and their local communities to work together to support, retain and locate local services, where possible, within the pub, whilst often improving the viability of the business itself.   The provider may be able to assist some projects through its own Community Services Fund, which aims to support projects as a fund of last resort, where no local funding for services currently exists. A grant of up to £3,000 may be provided.
Pub is The Hub does not always have funds to be a direct provider of grants or loans for individual diversification projects. It does, however, provide advice help and support at no cost to licensees and seek to work with the local authorities to find the potential funding sources.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.pubisthehub.org.uk/
 
Robertson Trust's Community Spaces Fund 
Funding is intended to support the running costs of local community centres, hubs or anchor organisations that are delivering and/or hosting a range of services and activities in places with high levels of deprivation. Examples of eligible work include:

• The running costs of an accessible community hub based in a town with high levels of deprivation. The hub hosts and delivers services for local people, including community meals, family activities, a youth group and drop-in sessions with partner organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and local employability service. 

• The running costs of a village hall in a rural community where there are no other community facilities. The hall hosts a range of groups and services, such as a parent and toddler group, a food pantry, and warm space, and provides access to IT facilities.

Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year for up to three years are available to registered charities working in Scotland.   Organisations should demonstrate the various services they deliver and/or host related to preventing or reducing poverty and trauma for local people.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/community-spaces-grants/
 
Royal Countryside Fund – Supporting Rural Communities
The UK-wide Supporting Rural Communities grant programme launched on Friday 10th January 2025. 
This new differentiated funding will support transformative, community-led initiatives across the UK, unlocking the huge potential for positive change in rural communities. The aim is to support innovative solutions that will “power up, not prop up” communities, inspiring change and encouraging economic vibrancy.
Organisations can apply for grants of up to £25,000 over a period of 24 months to deliver activities along the themes of:

• Keeping young people in the countryside

• Powering up rural communities

• Increasing environmental sustainability

• Building emergency resilience in rural areas.

Support will be focused on isolated rural areas where the activity is required due to a lack of alternative services. Projects must be community led and show that they actively listen to, understand and respond to the needs of their local community. The fund is also looking for community organisations that demonstrate one or more of the following characteristics:

• Working towards a long-term vision

• Facilitating collaboration/connectedness

• Demonstrating innovation.

Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/how-we-help/rural-communities/supporting-rural-communities-uk/
 
National Lottery Awards for All - Scotland
The National Lottery Awards for All programme is a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, Sportscotland and Creative Scotland.  

• For arts and sports projects, applications can be made for up to £10,000 supporting projects for up to 12 months.

• For community-led projects (that are not primarily arts or sport focused), applications can be made for up to £20,000 per year supporting projects for up to two years.

Groups can only hold one National Lottery Awards for All grant at a time.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-scotland
 
Cruden Foundation
This fund aims to support charitable projects and activities in Scotland for the benefit of people living there. Funding is intended to support projects with a strong focus on community welfare, medical support and research, the arts, education, and conservation.  Most grants are in the £2,500 to £5,000 range, although both smaller and larger grants can also be requested.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://crudenfoundation.org/
 
UK Community Foundations
Grants for projects in all sectors of the local community. Each foundation has its own character appropriate to the location and grants may be made to a wide range of activities including: health; children and young people; arts and culture; the environment; services.   Community foundations can meet all areas of community need, including but not limited to:      Arts and culture.

• Education.

• Environment.

• Health.

• Community development.

• Children and young people.

• Older people.

• Employment and training.

Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/
 
Robertson Trust – Wee Grants
Grants of up to £5,000 are available.  Revenue and capital funding for constituted community groups and small charities who support people who are experiencing (or are at high risk of experiencing) poverty and trauma, with an annual income of under £30,000.   
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/wee-grants/
 
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

ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION

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: 14 August 2025
https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/partnerships-with-material-focus/circular-electrical-fund-form/
 
Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust
Grants are available for individuals, organisations and institutions in the UK between few hundred pounds to £15,000. The objectives of the Trust are: 

• To promote horticulture.

• To promote the conservation of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity.

• To promote the creation, development, preservation and maintenance of gardens accessible to the public.

• The advancement of horticultural education.

The trust does not maintain a website.  For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please email:
Deadline: 15 August 2025    
d.rae@rbge.org.uk
 
Rewilding Britain - Rewilding Innovation Fund
Grants are available to boost locally led land and marine nature recovery projects across Britain.  Grants of up to £15,000 are available. This fund aims to foster new and ambitious community rewilding projects, and to remove barriers to rewilding projects within Britain, whether they’re at the early planning stages or want to move a project one step wilder. Funding will be awarded to projects with potential for the highest impact for people and nature.
Deadline: 29 August 2025     
https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/how-to-rewild/funding-for-rewilding/rewilding-innovation-fund
 
Sea-Changers Grant Programme
One-off grants are available to UK-based marine conservation charities and not-for-profit organisations for projects that address specific marine conservation areas.  Sea-Changers is the UK charity dedicated to raising money for UK-based marine conservation. Its vision is to create a world where the seas and shores are clean and healthy and marine species are protected.   Two levels of funding are available: 

• Small Grants programme - up to £500.

• Main Grants programme - between £500 and £2,500.

The Small Grants Programme is currently open. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed regularly. 
The Main Grants programme has two application rounds per year with deadlines of 31 March and 30 September. 
The application forms and guidelines are available on the Sea-Changers website.
Deadline: 20 September 2025  
https://www.sea-changers.org.uk/
 
Patagonia International Environmental Grants
Grants of £10,000 are available to small grassroots activist environmental organisations in the UK and Ireland that are working to protect local habitats and frontline communities through bold, original actions.   Patagonia believes that “local battles to protect a specific stand of forest, a stretch of river, an indigenous wild species or a community from a polluting refinery are both effective at building public support and confronting larger, more complicated issues - like climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental justice” and accordingly provides grants for grassroot initiatives in the UK and the Republic of Ireland that are addressing these issues.   Patagonia is a privately held American outdoor clothing and gear company that is based in the United States and operates internationally in several different countries, including the UK and Ireland. It offers grants to non-profit grassroots environmental groups in the countries where it works.
Deadline: 30 September 2025   
https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/how-we-fund/
 
International Tree Foundation - UK Community Tree Planting Programme
The UK Community Tree Planting Programme supports projects run by community groups and voluntary organisations that engage communities in planting and caring for native species of trees.
The Programme supports community projects that will:

• Conserve, restore and protect indigenous trees and woodlands, forests, habitats and associated biodiversity.

• Support community engagement in tree planting to promote reforestation and to increase awareness of the importance of trees and forests to environmental and human well-being.

• Encourage social cohesion and inclusion.

Deadline: 12 December 2025 (noon) 
https://www.internationaltreefoundation.org/
 
The Mushroom Trust
This fund aims to support the creation, enhancement, and upkeep of green spaces throughout Scotland. This includes both the creation of urban spaces, such as public parks, community gardens and allotments, as well as other environmental and conservation projects, such as ancient woodland restoration projects.   Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available.    Eligible projects include: 

• Formal gardens.

• Public parks and pathways.

• Community gardens, woodlands, orchards, and allotments.

• Cycle ways.

• Woodland restoration.

The Trustees encourage applications for the initial costs for design work in connection with new projects where this has not yet been considered.
Deadline: 31 March 2026  
https://mushroomtrust.com/projects/

Pets Foundation - Preventing Pet Relinquishment Grants
Grants 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.   Grants of up to £80,000 per year are available.   Multi-year funding applications, up to a three-year period, will be considered.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.petsfoundation.co.uk/preventing-pet-relinquishment/
 
Scottish Forestry Community Fund
Grants are available to voluntary and community organisations, development trusts, social enterprises, charities and local authorities for projects and activities that encourage people to use woods more.  The funding aims to encourage and support greater use of woods by people to improve their health, wellbeing and life chances.  Applicants will need to provide match funding for projects above £1,000.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.forestry.gov.scot/forests-people/communities/community-fund
 
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets
Grants are intended to support Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK with the costs of electric vehicle infrastructure and chargepoints on their business premises.
Deadline: Ongoing     
https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/electric-vehicle-infrastructure-grant-for-staff-and-fleets-1
 
Pets Foundation - Rescue Centre Grants
Grants are available for charities and non-profit organisations in the UK whose main objective is the rescue and rehoming of domestic pets in the UK.
The Pets Foundation provides three grant programmes:

• Rescue Centres  – to support organisations whose main activities are the rescue and rehoming of UK pets.

• Pets Assisting People – to support organisations whose main activities are one or more of the following: o The provision of temporary or ongoing assistance to ensure pets can remain with their owners, where rehoming takes place only when it is not possible to reunite the pet with their owner.

• Changing the lives of adults and children through the provision of animal-based activities or practical assistance.

• Preventing Pet Relinquishment – to support projects that aim to keep pets with their owners and out of rescue. 

Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.petsfoundation.co.uk/rescue-centres/
 
Plug-in Vehicle Grant (PIVG) Scheme
As announced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget, £120 million will be provided in 2025-26 to support the purchase of new electric vans via the Plug-in Vehicle Grant and to support the manufacture of wheelchair accessible EVs.  The amount of the grant depends on which category the vehicle is in. 
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/grants-for-plug-in-vehicles
 
Exchange Market
A pilot funding scheme rewarding arable farmers in the UK for reducing emissions within their supply chains through tailored, verified plans.   Farmers can join Exchange Market by having a completed Exchange baseline and a recent Farm Carbon Toolkit assessment. The Soil Association Exchange will then work with applicants to create a verified emissions reduction plan. With annual payments based on verified results, the programme ensures transparency and accountability at every step.  Farmers in the scheme can earn up to £60 per tonne of carbon reduced annually, with 50% of payments provided upfront to support their transition.
Deadline: Ongoing  (website may be slow to load)  
https://www.soilassociationexchange.com/exchangemarket
 
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/applications/
 
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. There is a plan to close to applications in late 2025. The final deadline will be announced nearer the time. 
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/climate-action-fund-our-shared-future
 
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/our-funding/
 
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for Landlords
Funding to install electric vehicle chargepoints as a landlord, social housing provider or property factor.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.gov.uk/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-grant-landlords

GENERAL FUNDING

Weir Charitable Trust
Grants are available to small charities or community groups in Scotland for work addressing sport, health, culture, animal welfare, or recreational facilities.   The Trust will consider applications for grants of up to £25,000 (ave. grant £3,500).
Deadline: 15 August 2025 
https://weircharitabletrust.com/fund-changes-in-2025/
 
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.   The Trust's principal areas of interest are:        

• Tackling child abuse and neglect.

• Visual impairment.

• Neurological conditions.

• Medical research.

• Animal welfare.

Small grant applications are accepted any time. The closing date for Main Grants (for all themes) is 11:00am on 3 September 2025.  
Deadline: Ongoing and 3 September 2025 (11:00 am) 
https://www.rsmacdonald.com/our-grants/
 
East Kintyre Community Fund The East Kintyre Community Fund is a Scottish registered charity and distributes of funds, mainly from windfarms, in the East Kintyre area.  Grants of between £200 and £50,000 are available.
Proposals should address:

• The advancement of community development and sustainability (including rural regeneration).

• The advancement of education.

• The advancement of arts, heritage, culture or science.

• The provision of recreational facilities.

• The advancement of environmental protection or improvement.

• The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

Deadline: Ongoing   
https://eastkintyre.org/east-kintyre-community-fund/

Rees Jeffreys Road Fund
Grants are available for the education of transport professionals, improvement of the roadside environment and research into all aspects of roads, road usage and road traffic.   
Deadline: 3 October 2025 
https://reesjeffreys.co.uk/

Scottish Government - Heavy Goods Vehicle Market Readiness Fund: SME Fleet Analysis Support Grants are available to help SME and micro HGV fleets in Scotland assess decarbonisation options through funded fleet reviews, with findings shared with the haulier and Transport Scotland, as part of the Heavy Goods Vehicle Market Readiness Fund programme.
Deadline: 9 December 2025  
https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/environment/heavy-goods-vehicle-market-readiness-fund/#78669

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.   
Theme 1:   Armed Forces & Good Citizenship
Theme 2:   Education & Professional Excellence
Theme 3:   Local Community & Other MacRobert Interests 
Deadline: Various  
https://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk/grants/

Foundation Scotland
Some of the funds are available on a Scotland-wide basis, and others are aimed at specific geographical areas or themes. You’ll find grant size and criteria information on each fund’s page, together with any unique criteria. Also, every fund lists a deadline for applications, and there may be more than one round of funding each year. When searching, be sure to note all the key dates in the fund listing.
Deadline: Various 
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding
 
De Brye Charitable Trust
Grants are available for charitable organisations that provide care and housing for the aged, orphans and neglected children or aid physically disabled children and the blind.   The majority of grants are between £500 and £5,000.
Deadline: Ongoing   
Enquiries: 01727 869141
 
Rhododendron Trust
Grants are available to UK registered charities who are working for the welfare of the disadvantaged in the UK and overseas as well as some cultural and wildlife projects.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.rhododendron-trust.org.uk/contacting-the-trust
 
Mickel Fund
Grants of up to £10,000 are available.   Funding is available for projects in Scotland that address one or more of the following categories:

• The advancement of education.

• The prevention or relief of poverty.

• The advancement of health and saving of lives.

• The advancement of the arts, heritage, culture and science.

• The advancement of public participation in sports.

Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.mickelfund.org.uk/
 
Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust
The Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust offers grants to registered charities active in Great Britain.
The funding is intended to support projects relating to young people, people with disabilities, the environment and the arts.   Grants usually range from £500 to £2,500. However, larger grants may be awarded under exceptional circumstances.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.gfct.org.uk/
 
National Lottery Awards for All – Scotland
For arts and sports projects, applications can be made for up to £10,000 supporting projects for up to 12 months. For community-led projects (that are not primarily arts or sport focused), applications can be made for up to £20,000 per year supporting projects for up to two years.
Deadline: Ongoing  (link be may slow to load)  
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-scotland
 
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/amplify-fund-grants-for-good/
 
Robertson Trust – Transport Grants The new-look Transport Grants offer increased funding of between £5K-20K per year for 1-3 years. For registered charities working in Scotland.    Currently only accepting applications for Transport Grants for work which addresses our themes of Financial Security, Education Pathways or Work Pathways, or which are focused on removing transport barriers for people and places with higher rates or risks of experiencing poverty and trauma, to ensure they can participate in and connect with their communities. This is in recognition that a lack of access to affordable, reliable transport can impact the ability to participate in society and thrive.   
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/transport-grants/
 
Bus Operator Accessible Information Regulations Support Grant
Small operators of local bus services in Great Britain can apply for grant funding to increase the provision of onboard audible and visible information, in order to comply with the requirements of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://rtig.org.uk/aig/apply
 
Paths for All – Ian Findlay Path Fund
Grants are available for charities, community groups, other third-sector organisations and National Park Authorities for projects that improve path networks and promote walking, wheeling, and cycling across Scotland. Funding of between £10,000 - £100,000 is available, with 30% match funding required.   If you are at an early stage of your project, the funder can offer up to 100% of design costs.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/ian-findlay-path-fund
 
Energy Saving Trust – Plugged in Communities Grant Fund
Grants are available for community transport organisations across Scotland to cover the costs of purchasing or leasing a zero-emission vehicle.  
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants-and-loans/plugged-communities-grant-fund/

HEALTH

National Lottery Community Fund - Supporting Change: Carers (Scotland)
Grants are available to voluntary and community and public sector organisations in Scotland for projects that will reduce health inequalities for unpaid carers through systems change. Unpaid carers are defined as 'Adults or children who look after a relative, friend or neighbour. They might look after someone due to a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or old age'. 
Deadline: 28 August 2025   
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/supporting-change-carers
 
Agnes Hunter Trust
The funding is intended to support disabled people throughout Scotland, providing them with opportunities and enabling them to lead fulfilling lives. This can include specific groups of people, for example those living with mental ill health, cancer, physical and sensory impairments and long-term health conditions, as well as people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and other neurodivergent people.
Autumn/winter round. Applications will open on 7 August 2025 (10:00).
Deadline: 28 August 2025 (17:00)
https://www.agneshunter.org.uk/

Ulverscroft Foundation
The Foundation provides funding for projects in the UK that benefit visually impaired people. Grants range from around £100 to £500,000.  Organisations need not necessarily be a charity and can be a community interest company (CIC) or social group and could include: 

• National and local blind and partially sighted societies

• Schools and colleges for visually impaired people

• Sports and social organisations for visually impaired people

Applications from public libraries run by local authorities will be considered if these are additional to the local authority's core service. Volunteer-run libraries may be supported if they are supported in cash or in kind by the local authority. 
Deadline: 15 September 2025  
https://www.ulverscroft-foundation.org.uk/  

Adamson Trust
Grants for voluntary and community organisations and charities to help with the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children (aged 3 to 17 years) with physical, mental, or emotional impairments. Applications are accepted from individual families and on behalf of groups of children, registered charities and other organisations.  Funding is available for the costs associated with holidays and/or respite breaks. The holiday must be taken by the day preceding the child's 18th birthday.   There are four closing dates for applications each year. 
Applications must be received by: 

• 31 March for the May 2025 meeting.

• 30 June for the August 2025 meeting.

• 30 September for the November 2025 meeting.

• 31 December for the February 2026 meeting.

Deadline: 30 September 2025  
https://www.theadamsontrust.co.uk/
 
Blue Light Wellbeing Fund
The funding is intended to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the entire Blue Light Community - across health, emergency, social care, and armed forces - recognising their vital role in society.
There is particular interest in applications for projects that support individuals across multiple Blue Light services, fostering collaboration and shared learning. Priority will be given to initiatives that include clear, well-developed plans for continuing the work beyond the life of the grant.  Grants of up to a maximum of £25,000 are available. 
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://bluelightcardfoundation.org/about-us/

Gardening With Disabilities Trust
Small grants are available to groups and individuals in the UK who suffer all kinds of chronic disabilities - mental and physical - to help them get gardening again.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.gardeningwithdisabilitiestrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
  
Parkinson’s UK Physical Activity Grants Programme
Grants are available for activity providers, communities, networks and organisations across the UK to develop new opportunities for people with Parkinson’s to become and stay active or help increase their levels of physical activity. Grants of between £500 and £3,000 are available.  Applications will be accepted from activity providers, national governing bodies, Parkinson’s groups and branches, and sports and healthcare professionals.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/grants-physical-activity-providers

RNIB Technology Grants
The funding is intended for UK residents who are registered blind or partially sighted people and who have been refused funding from their local authority for the items they need. The grant will support the cost of any item that is on the RNIB list of approved equipment.
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/money-and-benefits/benefits-concessions-and-grants/grants-fromrnib/

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
 
Barchester Healthcare Foundation
Grants are available for small local groups and small local charities to improve the quality of life and combat loneliness in older people as well as adults with a physical or mental disability.  Grants for individuals and groups available.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.bhcfoundation.org.uk/apply

Fletchers Foundation
Grants are available to charities and organisations in the UK working to support individuals or families who have suffered life changing circumstances as a result of illness ( born with or acquired), severe personal injury, accident or medical negligence.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://fletchersfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-support/

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. Grants of up to £5,000 are available. 
Deadline: 10 August 2025   
https://www.screwfix.com/landingpage/screwfix-foundation?msockid=2253a8f76d866b132846bd0d6c4d6a93

Leeds Building Society Foundation
The funding is intended to support projects to improve the health, wellbeing and financial literacy of people who are experiencing homelessness. Small Grants of between £250 and £1,000 are available anywhere in the UK.    Grants may only be used for capital expenditure (that is, to purchase items used to directly help those in need). 
Deadline: 11 August 2025   
https://www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/your-society/about-us/foundation/
 
Help the Homeless Grant Scheme
Grants for capital projects are available to small and medium-sized charities registered in the UK working to assist homeless people to rebuild their lives and return to the community.   Funding is targeted at projects to find practical ways to help disadvantaged individuals return to the community through training or residential facility provision, rather than merely providing short term shelter.   Grants of up to £5,000 are available.
Deadline: 15 September 2025  
https://www.help-the-homeless.org.uk/applying-for-funding/
 
Scottish Government - Cladding Remediation Programme
Homeowners in Scotland concerned about unsafe cladding can access funding to have their buildings assessed.   The programme is committed to ensuring that residential buildings with cladding are assessed to identify whether this presents a fire risk. Following this, work may be needed to eliminate or mitigate these risks depending on their severity ('remediation'). 
Deadline: 30 September 2025 (EOI)   
https://www.mygov.scot/cladding-open-call
 
Scottish Government - Housing Infrastructure Fund
Grants available to registered social landlords and local authorities in Scotland for the unlocking of sites to provide new affordable housing which aligns with the 'Housing to 2040' strategy.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.gov.scot/policies/more-homes/housing-infrastructure-fund/

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 FundGrants 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 (link may be slow to load)
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/scottish-land-fund#section-2

POVERTY & COST OF LIVING CRISIS

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: 5 September 2025
https://grocershall.co.uk/the-charity/apply-for-a-grant/our-grant-process  
 
Veterans' Foundation
Grants are available for small and medium-sized charities and not-for-profit organisations that provide support to those in need among serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans, operationally qualified seafarers and their immediate families across the UK.  Maximum value: £75,000.
Deadline: 30 September 2025   
https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
 
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. The Trustees meet twice a year to consider applications received. These meetings are currently held in June and November.  For the November meeting applications must be submitted by 4th October 2024.
Deadline: 10 October May 2025 
https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/about-us/charitable-trust/applications-for-funding/
 
Cash for Kids - Cost of Living Grants
General Grants, Holiday Hunger Grants and Children Mental Health Grants are available to charities, community groups and professionals to help disadvantaged children across the UK during the current cost-of-living crisis. 
Mission Christmas for gift applications opens in August each year.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://cashforkids.org.uk/cost-of-living
 
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/
 
British Gas Energy Trust
Grants are available to individuals and families across Great Britain to be used to help write off their energy debts. , regardless of energy provider.
The Trust offers two funds: 

• Individuals and Families Fund - Open to Credit and Pre-Payment Meter customers

• British Gas Energy Support Fund – now closed

Both are intended to tackle fuel poverty by clearing the energy debts of struggling households and respond to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.   You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund - you can be a British Gas Customer, or a customer from another supplier with arrears of up to £1,700. 
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/
 
Kellogg's Breakfast Club Grants
Kellogg’s is awarding grants of £1,000 to school Breakfast Clubs, to help them provide breakfast to those children who need it most.   Eligible breakfast clubs must be based in a school in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and aimed at pupils between reception class and year 13.
Deadline: Ongoing  (link may be slow to load)
https://www.kelloggs.co.uk/en_GB/our-story/feeding-people-in-need/support-for-school-breakfastclubs/grants-for-schools.html
 
Robertson Trust - Wee Grants
Grants of £300 to £2,000 are available for up to one year for small charities and community groups in Scotland carrying out charitable work in local communities to address poverty and trauma
Deadline: Ongoing   
https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/wee-grants/
 
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/what-we-do/hardship-grants/
 
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/gsfp
 
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. There is also a Domestic Abuse Fund to support survivors of domestic abuse who are experiencing financial crisis or hardship as a result of their experience of domestic abuse. Individuals applying to the fund must have worked as a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate in the UK.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.juniusmorgan.org.uk/grants/
 
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/applications/
 
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  deprived rural areas.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk/our-grants
 
Victim Support Scotland – Emergency Assistance Fund
Grants are available to support people affected by crime across Scotland and provide a wide range of goods and services to people who would typically lack access to financial help.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://victimsupport.scot/get-support/emergency-assistance-fund/
 
Thomas Wall Trust - Grants for Individuals
The individual grants programme aims to support motivated adults living in the UK to undertake education and training that will increase their chances of employment. 
Grants of up to £1,500 are available to undertake accredited vocational training up to level 3 (Qualification levels explained) and towards other costs associated with studying.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk/grants-for-individuals/
 
Inspiring Scotland - Bright Start Breakfasts Fund
Grants are available to primary schools, local authorities, third sector organisations and childcare providers in Scotland to expand and set up breakfast clubs for primary school children in Scotland.  Grants are expected to be between £8,000 and £12,000, depending on the location and needs of the community and school.   
The Fund will run from August 2025 to June 2026.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/bright-start-breakfasts/

SPORT FUNDING

Sports Facilities Fund

Grants are available for the provision or upgrading of sports facilities in local communities throughout Scotland.   Grants of to 50% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of £200,000 may be awarded.    Applicants are advised to contact the facilities team at Sport Scotland and to discuss their project with the relevant local authority and governing body of sport.  Guidelines and the online application forms can be found on the Sport Scotland website.  Deadlines for submission of Sport Facilities Fund applications are 5pm on the 1st  April and 1st September each year.
Deadline:  01 September 2025
https://sportscotland.org.uk/funding/sport-facilities-fund/
 
Scottish Mountaineering Trust
Grants are available for organisations and individuals to promote public recreation, knowledge and safe enjoyment of the mountains of Scotland.   Funding will not be awarded for expeditions unless they have a clear scientific, educational, or otherwise charitable purpose. Grants cannot be made for the improvement of premises which are not generally available to the mountaineering community.   Eligible projects will address the following key themes: 

• The provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities.

• The advancement of public participation in sport.

• The advancement of education. (For example, skills training or broader education or research.)

• The saving of lives. (Both saving those in danger and safety of participants.)

• The advancement of arts, heritage, culture, or science. (Including history, traditions, academic disciplines, exploration, and experimentation.)

• The advancement of health. (Both physical and mental health.) Eligible activities include, but are not limited to: 

• Footpath repair and maintenance.

• The promotion of mountaineering education and training particularly aimed at young people.

• Building renovation or maintenance.

• Expeditions where a scientific or otherwise charitable purpose can be demonstrated.

• Publishing books and information about the mountains, mountain activities and people that inform, inspire and educate.

• Providing support to overcome barriers and enable people from all communities and backgrounds to take part in the mountain activities.

Deadline:  19 September 2025  
https://thesmt.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant-new-form-and-guidance/
 
Rowing Foundation
Grants are available for equipment that will support the participation of young people and disabled people in rowing in the UK.  The funding is intended to help organisations and clubs involved in 'on water' elements of the sport of rowing who may be too small to apply for larger sources of funding, such as a National Lottery grant. The foundation also offers funding towards the costs of the refurbishment of boats used by juniors.   There are two funding streams: 

• Equipment grants of up to £4,000 in any five-year period; this can be comprised of a single grant or smaller grants aggregated over the period. Grants are for up to 50% of the overall project costs.

• Boat refurbishment grants of up to £4,000 for up to 50% of the costs of refurbishments of boats used by juniors.

Deadline:  29 September 2025  
https://therowingfoundation.org.uk/
 
Children’s Alliance
The Children’s Alliance is a charity and outreach initiative of Water Babies (the largest baby swim school In the UK). The objective of the programme is to give essential life skills and build children’s confidence and resilience, both physically and emotionally through water-based activities. To be eligible, projects must support children under the age of 18 years to have access to water in the form of swimming lessons, transport to lessons, swimwear and water play equipment.  Grants of up to £15,000 are available, but the majority of grants awarded are under £10,000. The Children’s Alliance are committed to supporting: 

• Free swimming lessons and swim nappies for children who need them.

• Online learning to teach valuable life skills for parents and children.

• Water splash areas to encourage play as well as water confidence and safety.  

Deadline:  30 September 2025    
https://childrensalliance.org.uk/our-work/community/
 
The Primary Club
Grants are available to support sport and recreation for blind and visually impaired people throughout the UK.   Recent examples of funded projects include: 

• Creating children’s tactile audiobooks about three sports stars.

• Supporting children’s residential outdoor activity breaks in specialised centres.

• Developing a multi-sensory woodland environment in Cornwall, building on a major investment by RNIB.

• Supporting several tandem cycling clubs to supply, maintain and store their equipment.

• Supporting numerous clubs which offer regular training sessions and competitive matches in cricket, goalball, Showdown, baseball, golf, bowls and other sports.

Deadline:  30 November 2025
https://www.primaryclub.org/funding/
 
Sports Charity Scotland
Grants are available to charitable organisations in Scotland who operate within sectors representing children, young people and sport.  The funding is intended to provide support which can make a significant difference to the delivery of existing activities that will benefit children and young people, the disabled and disadvantaged in Scotland.   Most awards made are between £500 and £5,000.
Deadline: Ongoing (link may be slow to load)  
https://sportscharityscotland.com/
 
Sports Scotland - Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund
The aim of the fund is to support the creation of indoor tennis facilities in area of high demand across Scotland, as well as to provide investment in pre-existing facilities. This is part of a wider strategy to create a national community tennis network and generate working partnerships across local communities while increasing participation in tennis clubs across Scotland.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://sportscotland.org.uk/funding/othersources/the-transforming-scottish-indoor-tennis-fund/
 
RYA Foundation
Grants are available for sailing clubs in the UK to promote participation in boating by those who are disadvantaged by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.rya.org.uk/about-us/charities-foundations/rya-foundation/fund
 
Boost Charitable Trust
Small grants are available to charities and not-for-profit organisations with a focus on helping disabled and disadvantaged individuals in the UK to participate in sport.   Boost has awarded grants across five areas of disadvantage:  Financial hardship.

• Physical and learning disabilities.

• Mental health.

• Medical research and relief.

• Social exclusion.

Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.boostct.org/get-involved
 
SportsAid Award
Assistance for unfunded talented young sportsmen and women (12-18 years old or up to 35 for disability sports) who participate in specific sports and are preparing to compete in major international competition.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.sportsaid.org.uk/faqs

 
Cycling UK - Cycle Access Fund (Scotland)
The Fund aims to remove barriers to cycling for those least likely to have access to a bike.  Organisations must be based in Helensburgh & Lomond.
Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-access-fund

YOUNG PEOPLE

Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities
The fund will strengthen community wellbeing across Scotland by supporting young people at risk of involvement in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending.   The funding will provide the opportunities and the tools to support young people to make informed decisions about their future.  CashBack for Communities partners will deliver early and effective prevention activities for children and young people aged 10-25. This phase of the fund will focus on:

1. Providing safe spaces and suitable activities for young people to combat boredom, frustration, and isolation, which can contribute to antisocial behaviours.

2. Supporting young people to understand their own value and become positive influences and leaders within their communities.

3. Delivering holistic support for particularly vulnerable young people which includes their family or care environment. Where a young person may have the potential to come into conflict with the law, support will be extended for family and caregivers.

4. Offering support for young people who are already in conflict with the law to reflect on past behaviours and work towards a more positive future.

Funding will open to applications from Thursday 12 June and will provide up to £26 million from April 2026 to end of March 2029.
Deadline: Thursday 7 August 2025 (noon)
https://cashbackforcommunities.org/funding/

7stars Foundation
Grants are available to support young people challenged by abuse and addiction, those who are young carers, and those who are homeless or without a safe place thttps://cashbackforcommunities.org/funding/o call home.   

• Project grants of up to £2,500 are available. 

• Shine Bright grants of up to £1,500 are available.  

• Social Impact grants of up to £1,500 are available.

Deadline: 31 August 2025  
https://the7starsfoundation.co.uk/apply
 
Peter Sell Award
Grants for Scout or Guide groups in the UK to encourage new members and to ensure long term benefits from the award.   Eligible organisations must be part of the Scouts or Guides associations.  Proposals that encourage people who have no previous engagement with scouting or guiding are encouraged.  Applications should demonstrate that the award will have a legacy beyond the initial expenditure of the grant.   Awards up to £5,000 are available.
Deadline: 14 September 2025  
https://lesliesellct.org.uk/the-peter-sell-annual-award/
 
Richard and Siobhán Coward Foundation - Grants for Community Photography
Grants are available to support the provision of participatory projects in the UK which seek to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people under 25. The use of photography must be a core element of the project.   Grants of between £500 and £1,500 are available.
Deadline: 2 April 2026  
https://www.cowardphotography.org/photographic-art-therapy
 
Sofronie Foundation
Grants are available for charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK to deliver educational or vocational projects to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people.  Funding is for interventions that:

• Increase access to higher education – Educational programmes for young people that raise aspirations, build confidence, and develop skills in preparation for university.

• Increase access to vocational training – Initiatives that provide young people with practical skills or offer opportunities of work experience in preparation for future employment.

Deadline: Ongoing  
http://sofronie.org/
 
Wooden Spoon Charity
Grants are available for not-for-profit organisations that are working in the UK to support the lives of children and young people with a cognitive age under 25 years who are disadvantaged physically, mentally, or socially.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://woodenspoon.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
 
Cash For Kids - Holiday Hunger Grants
Grants are available to charities, voluntary and community groups to provide food and activities for disadvantaged children and young people during the school holidays.  No minimum or maximum values are stated, but awards are usually between £1,000 and £3,000.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://cashforkids.org.uk/grants
 
Ernest Cook Trust - Outdoor Essentials Grant
Grants are available to UK state funded primary and secondary schools to enable them to get their pupils learning outdoors.   The current round of funding offers grants for the following options:

• Nature and Nurture – school grounds improvements.

• Transport and Travel – transport costs to outdoor learning venues.

• Wellies and Waterproofs – outdoor clothing.

Deadline: Ongoing  
https://ernestcooktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/everything-outdoors/outdoor-essentials-grant/
 
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park – Engagement Travel Grants
Grants of up to £250 are available for schools and groups working with disadvantaged people across Scotland to cover transport costs for educational trips to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.  There is no deadline and applications can be made at any time.   Guidance notes and an application form are available from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park website.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/park-authority/how-we-can-help/outdoor-learning/education-travel-grant/
 
Kellogg’s School Breakfast Club Grants Programme  
Kellogg’s, is accepting applications for the Breakfast Club Grants Programme.   Grants of up to £1,000 are available to schools across the UK to help fund breakfast clubs aimed at pupils between reception class and year 13 to ensure that those who need it most receive a morning meal.  Only one grant per school in each academic year is available. 
Deadline: Ongoing  (link may be slow to load)
https://www.kelloggs.co.uk/en_GB/our-story/feeding-people-in-need/support-for-school-breakfast-clubs/grants-forschools.html
 
National Lottery Community Fund - Fairer Life Chances (Scotland)
Grants are available to voluntary and community and public sector organisations in Scotland for projects that
support children, young people and families, or help people to be healthier and have better access to support, with a focus on those experiencing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.   The Fund is intended for projects working to achieve the following objectives:

• Children, young people and families thrive.

• People have better relationships, connections, and physical or mental health.

Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/fairer-life-chances#section-3
 
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.   The Foundation aims to distribute a total of around £2 million in grants per year. There is no minimum or maximum grant size.
The following organisations can apply:

• Registered Charities or Charitable Incorporated Organisations.

• Schools and Further Education Colleges (usually exempt charities).

• NHS Trusts.

Deadline: Ongoing 
https://www.thehargreavesfoundation.org/ 
 
Trefoil – Lilias Finlay Holiday Fund
Trefoil offers holiday grants to children and families who meet the development needs criteria.
Applicants for holiday grants should be under eighteen years old and living in Scotland. Trefoil only funds holidays in the UK and does not support overseas trips.
Applications for holiday grants are open and considered all year. Please apply at least 12 weeks before your holiday. Your applications should be supported by two references.
Deadline: Ongoing  
https://www.trefoil.org.uk/apply-here
 
Leslie Sell Charitable Trust
Grants for trips or projects associated with the Scouts or Guides movement within the UK. Please note the Trustees are unable to consider applications for trips or events submitted within four months of your proposed departure or event date due to processing times.
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
 
Foux Foundation
Grants are available for registered charities across the United Kingdom and Ireland (and worldwide) 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/