VCEL Monthly Funding Update | October 2025
FUNDING NEWS
Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults - Year 5
Applications open for the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund (Year 5–6)
Grants up to £50,000 available for community-led mental health projects in East Lothian.
Deadline: 14th November 2025
Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults – Year 5 Now Open! — Volunteer Centre East Lothian — VCEL
New Fundraising Code Webinar – October 2025
The new Code of Fundraising Practice comes into effect on 1 November 2025, applying across the UK including Scotland. To help organisations prepare, the Fundraising Regulator is hosting a free, interactive webinar in mid-October. This one-hour session will explore key parts of the code using live polls and Q&A, with practical insights and examples to support everyday fundraising. The webinar also introduces new guidance and offers a chance to ask questions directly to the FR team.
Fundraising Regulator: Are you code confident? – interactive webinar — Volunteer Centre East Lothian — VCEL
Seven Charity Loan Myths – Demystified
Loan finance can be a powerful tool for charities, yet myths often discourage its use. A recent guide from CAF Bank tackles seven common misconceptions—from the belief that charities shouldn’t borrow, to concerns about complexity, cost, and risk. With the right lender and a strong business plan, loans can help charities grow, invest in new ventures, and deliver more for their beneficiaries. The guide also includes real-life examples, tips for loan applications, and insights into different types of repayable finance.
Seven charity funding myths demystified | CAF
ARTS & CULTURE
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
Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig website
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
Turtleton Charitable Trust website
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
Association for Industrial Archaeology website
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
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Arts-based Learning Fund website
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
Creative Scotland – Open Fund for Individuals website
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
National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations website
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
Awards for Young Musicians website
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
BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund website
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
Startup Mull website
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
MMC Venture Capital website
Pentech Ventures
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
Pentech Ventures website
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
Access to Work website
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)
Kaleidoscope Investments website
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)
Foundation Scotland - Social Investment Fund website
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
Growth Impact Fund website
Redundancy Payments - Financial Assistance
Assistance to help employers in the UK with severe cash flow problems to make necessary redundancy payments.
Deadline: Ongoing
Redundancy Payments - Financial Assistance website
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
Scottish Community Alliance - Community Learning Exchange Fund website
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.
Deadline: Ongoing
LaunchMe website
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
The Prospectory - Idea Fund website
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Funding for Outdoor Play in Deprived Areas of Scotland
Inspiring Scotland has announced the launch of the Outdoor Community Play Main Grants Programme 2026– 28. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government. It is part of the wider Thrive programme, which includes the Community Outdoor Play Incubator Programme, launched in August 2025, that will support projects in rural and remote areas of Scotland. Through the fund, grants of up to £20,000 are available to registered charities in areas in the top 20% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) to deliver free child-led outdoor play that improves children's health and wellbeing. Projects must be delivered between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2028. Eligible costs include:
Staffing of play sessions.
Equipment, including outdoor clothing and shelters.
Materials and resources.
Food and snacks during sessions.
Deadline: 10 October 2025 (noon)
Funding for Outdoor Play website
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.
Deadline: Ongoing
Mother and Baby Unit Family Fund website
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
Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund website
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)
True Colours Trust - UK Small Grants website
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
Family Fund Trust website
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
Buttle UK - Chances for Children
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
Variety Club - 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
Percy Bilton Charity - Grants for Organisations website
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
Tesco Stronger Starts Grants
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
Happy Days Children's Charity
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
Children’s Alliance website
COMMUNITY FUNDING
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
W.G. Edwards Charitable Foundation website
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
Pub is the Hub website
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
Robertson Trust's Community Spaces Fund website
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
Royal Countryside Fund – Supporting Rural Communities website
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
National Lottery Awards for All - Scotland website
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
Cruden Foundation website
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
UK Community Foundations website
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
Robertson Trust – Wee Grants website
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
National Lottery Community Fund - The UK Fund website
ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION
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)
International Tree Foundation website
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
The Mushroom Trust website
Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF)
Funding is available to enable investment in tangible, effective marine and coastal restoration projects in Scotland, undertaken by organisations across all sectors. The main aim of the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) is to support practical improvements to Scottish marine and coastal ecosystems. Although it is anticipated that most applications for enhancement projects will initially focus on salt marsh, seagrass, sand dunes, native oysters, marine birds and cetaceans; the funder is keen to receive proposals for research to inform a broader range of potential marine and coastal enhancement opportunities across all relevant species and habitats.
Deadline: Ongoing
SMEEF website
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
Pets Foundation website
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
Scottish Forestry Community Fund website
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
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Grant website
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:
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
Pets Foundation - Rescue Centre Grants website
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
Plug-in Vehicle Grant (PIVG) Scheme website
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)
Exchange Market website
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
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - Grants website
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
Our Shared Future website
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
Swire Charitable Trust website
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
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant website
GENERAL FUNDING
Universal Music UK Sound Foundation
School Funding Grants are available to schools to support the purchase of musical instruments and equipment. The funding is intended to support access to music for schools, students and teachers by facilitating the purchase of musical instruments and equipment. Grants of up to £1,000 are available.
Deadline: 21 October 2025 (13:00)
Universal Music website
The Linnean Society – Our Local Nature Grants
Grants are available for schools and community groups in the UK to increase youth engagement with nature.
The scheme provides grants to support innovative projects, designed and led by young people in the UK, which aim to increase access to local natural spaces and improve understanding of local biodiversity. Maximum value £1,000.
Deadline: 25 October 2025
Linnean Society website
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Teacher Development Fund
Grants are available to partnerships of arts/cultural organisations and up to ten schools to support delivery of effective arts-based teaching and learning opportunities in the primary classroom. The purpose of the Teacher Development Fund is to support teachers to develop arts-based approaches which create equitable classrooms where all children learn and thrive. It aims to do this through supporting teachers and school leaders to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, confidence and experience. Grants of up to £165,000 are available per application. Projects should last for two academic years.
Deadline: 12 November 2025
Teacher Development Fund website
Henry Smith Foundation - Holiday Grants for Children
Grants are available for schools to provide access to one-off recreational trips or holidays for groups of children aged 13 years and younger who experience disadvantage or disability. Priority is given to fun and new experiences, such as camping, adventure activities, or visits to the seaside. The application window is open for trips taking place from 1 September to 31 December 2025.
Deadline: 19 November 2025
Henry Smith Foundation - Holiday Grants for Children
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. The Charity operates the following grant schemes:
Small Grants: from £250 up to £9,000.
General Grants: over £9,000.
Normally one-off grants are awarded but exceptionally a new project may be funded over two or three years, subject to satisfactory reports of progress.
Deadline: 01 December 2025
Baily Thomas Fund website
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.
Deadline: Ongoing
RS MacDonald Charitable Trust website
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
Rhododendron Trust website
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
Mickel Fund website
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.
Deadline: Ongoing
Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust website
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)
National Lottery Awards for All – Scotland website
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
MacRobert Trust website
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
Matthew Good Foundation - Grants for Good Fund
The Rozelle Trust
The Trust will generally support smaller charities, especially those working at grass roots and local community level where the funds will be able to make a significant difference. Awards will be made to support a wide range of charitable activities to benefit young people and children, those experiencing poverty, and the disabled.
Deadline: Ongoing
The Rozelle Trust website
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
Foundation Scotland website
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
SME Fleet Analysis Support website
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
Robertson Trust – Transport Grants website
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
Bus Operator Accessible Information Regulations Support Grant website
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
Paths for All – Ian Findlay Path Fund website
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
Energy Saving Trust – Plugged in Communities Grant Fund website
HEALTH
Scotland - Changing Places Toilets Fund
Grants are available to incorporated not-for-profit organisations and micro and small businesses in Scotland to install lifeenhancing Changing Places toilets. The Fund aims to increase the number of Changing Places Toilets in Scotland and so meet the human rights of disabled people who cannot use a standard accessible toilet. Non-profits and small businesses can apply for project costs, and up to £10,000 in development costs, associated with building a Changing Places Toilet.
Deadline: 20 October 2025
Scotland - Changing Places Toilets Fund website
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
Blue Light Wellbeing Fund website
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
Gardening With Disabilities Trust website
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
Parkinson’s UK Physical Activity Grants Programme website
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
RNIB Technology Grants website
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
Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust website
Vegetarian for Life Grants
Funding is available for charities and charitable organisations supporting older vegetarians and vegans.
Deadline: Ongoing
Vegetarian for Life Grants website
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
The Family Recovery Initiative Fund (FRIF) website
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
Barchester Healthcare Foundation website
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
Fletchers Foundation website
LAND & PROPERTY
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
Scottish Government - Housing Infrastructure Fund website
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
National Heritage Memorial Fund website
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 (link may be slow to load)
Scottish Land Fund website
POVERTY & COST OF LIVING CRISIS
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://assets.cashforkids.org.uk/grants/holiday-hunger/west-scotland-eligibility-criteria.pdf
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/
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/
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 Visit the Fund Website
Pets Foundation - Preventing Pet Relinquishment GrantsGrants 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: Ongoing
https://www.petsfoundation.co.uk/preventing-pet-relinquishment/
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
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
The Primary Club website
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)
Sports Charity Scotland website
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
Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund website
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
RYA Foundation website
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
Boost Charitable Trust website
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
SportsAid Award website
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
Cycling UK - Cycle Access Fund (Scotland) website
YOUNG PEOPLE
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
Grants for Community Photography website
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
Sofronie Foundation website
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
Wooden Spoon Charity website
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
Cash For Kids - Holiday Hunger Grants website
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
Ernest Cook Trust - Outdoor Essentials Grant website
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
Engagement Travel Grants website
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
Fairer Life Chances (Scotland) website
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
Hargreaves Foundation website
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
Holiday Fund website
Lilias Finlay Holiday Fund Flyer
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
Leslie Sell Charitable Trust website
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
Young Start Fund website
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
Foux Foundation website
