VCEL Monthly Funding Update | September 2025
Funding Categories:
1 | FUNDING NEWS
OCPF 26/27 - Application Support Webinars
Applications for East Lothian Council’s One Council Partnership Fund 2026/27 are now open! Deadline to apply: 30 September 2025
This fund supports community organisations working to reduce inequalities and make East Lothian a better place to live. For 2026/27, funding will focus on initiatives that:
Tackle poverty and health inequalities
Reduce social isolation for vulnerable groups
Promote prevention and early intervention across all ages
Expand youth work opportunities
Respond to the Climate Emergency
Encourage volunteering
To help you prepare a strong application, VCEL has developed an “OCPF 2026/27 Application Toolkit”- and we’re inviting you to join one of our interactive webinars where we’ll walk through the toolkit together.
Webinar Dates:
Monday 15 September | 6:00–8:00pm
Wednesday 17 September | 1:30–3:30pm
During the session, you’ll have the chance to:
Explore the toolkit
Draft ideas and responses
Ask questions and get support
Reserve your spot by selecting the link for your preferred session:
Monday 15 September | 6:00–8:00pm – Register here
Wednesday 17 September | 1:30–3:30pm – Register here
We look forward to supporting your application and helping your organisation make a lasting impact in East Lothian!
Scottish Sport Fund Now Open for Edinburgh & The Lothians!
If you're part of a local sports club in Edinburgh or the Lothians, now’s your chance to apply for up to £2,500 in funding through the Scottish Sport Fund, supported by Aldi.
Application Window
Open: Monday 1 September 2025
Closes: Sunday 5 October 2025
This funding is designed to support grassroots sports clubs that are making a real difference in their communities — whether that’s through youth development, inclusive activities, or simply keeping people active and connected.
How to Apply
Complete and submit your application form by Sunday 5 October 2025 for a chance to receive a donation that could help your club grow, improve facilities, or expand your reach in the community.
Scottish Sport Fund | ALDI UK
2 | ARTS & CULTURE
Nordic Culture Fund - Northern European Mobility Opportunity (NEMO) Call
Applications can be made by artists in the UK and Ireland to engage with counterparts in the Nordic Countries (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Åland Islands). The programme is specifically aimed at individual arts practitioners in the early stages of their careers. The programme aims to foster international collaboration, strengthen artistic networks across the region and increase international mobility for young creatives.
Deadline: 15 September 2025
https://nordiskkulturfond.org/en/news/new-pilot-programme-to-support-mobility-and-exchange-across-the-nordic-region-uk-and-ireland-opening-in-august-2025
Thea Barnes Legacy Fund - Bursary for Artists
The funding is intended for individuals in dance and the performing arts, researchers, and artists looking to accelerate their careers or make a career transition across the arts and creative industries by furthering their artistic or academic practice. Bursaries of up to £2,300 are available.
Deadline: 15 September 2025
https://www.theabarneslegacyfund.org/
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/
Inspiring Scotland - Creative Communities Programme
Grants to support and empower communities, especially those where social or geographic circumstances make engaging with cultural activities more challenging, to develop new initiatives involving culture and creative arts. A total of £320,000 is available. Grants of up to £35,000 are available. The Fund is intended to:
Provide the opportunity for people to engage in creative arts that they would not have otherwise, have fun and feel joy and pride.
Bring people together, building connections and reducing loneliness.
Help participants develop a wide range of improved skills for life, learning and work.
Deadline: 18 September 2025 (noon)
https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/creative-communities-scotland/
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
Screen Scotland - Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund
Grants are available to support organisations in Scotland that produce film festivals and public screening programmes that increase the reach, depth and diversity of screen culture for audiences. Grants of between £15,000 and £45,000 are available.
Deadline: 19 September 2025
https://www.screen.scot/funding-and-support/funding/film-festival-and-screening-programme-fund
Epic MegaGrants
Funding is available to support game creators worldwide who use Unreal Engine or contribute to open-source 3D graphics tools. Typical grants range from $5,000 to $75,000, with some exceptional projects receiving up to $150,000.
Creators and projects in the following areas are eligible:
Game Developers - using Unreal Engine (or transitioning to UE5), with a working prototype or demo.
Film and Media Creators - real-time content for film, TV, animation, or live events using Unreal Engine.
Enterprise and Industry - Unreal Engine projects in other industries, including architecture, automotive, manufacturing, simulation, product design, advertising VR/AR, etc.
Education and Research - university-level initiatives, including curricula, student projects, or academic research.
Tool and Open-Source Developers - tools that integrate with Unreal or contribute to the 3D open-source ecosystem (even if not Unreal-specific).
UEFN (Fortnite Creative) Developers - creators using Unreal Editor for Fortnite to build and publish in-game experiences.
Deadline: 22 September 2025 (23:59 ET)
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/megagrants
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/
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-for-individuals#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-for-organisations
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-for-organisations#support
3 | BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE
10,000 Small Businesses (UK)
A business development programme designed to unlock the economic and job creation potential of small businesses and social enterprises from across the UK.
The programme will be of interest to ambitious UK business leaders who:
Are the owner or most senior decision maker of a small business or social enterprise.
Are a business or social enterprise that has been operating for at least a year.
Are generating significant trading revenues and already has employees. Are seeking to grow their business or social enterprise.
Deadline: 18 September 2025
https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/UK/
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
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.
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
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.
For further information and how to make a claim,
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
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
5 | COMMUNITY FUNDING
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
Charles Hayward Foundation
The Foundation supports charitable activities under a number of grant categories which are as follows:
Small Grants up to £7,000 will be made to Older People’s projects that are preventative and early intervention programmes delivered locally that allow older people to stay in their own homes and remain independent.
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. The overall aim of funding in this area is to prevent people entering the criminal justice system and to support those already in the system to move on and rebuild their lives.
Deadline: 19 September 2025
https://www.charleshaywardfoundation.org.uk/
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/
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
6 | ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION
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/
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
https://smeef.scot/
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:
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
7 | GENERAL FUNDING
The Different Foundation - AI for All
The funding is intended to promote access and opportunity for members of underrepresented and diverse communities in AI innovation. It supports organisations committed to diversity in technology. The current focus is addressing digital bias, elevating diverse voices, and developing AI that works for everyone. The programme offers:
One-off grants of up to £2,500.
Four hours of specialised mentorship with respected leaders in AI. This mentorship provides practical guidance to enhance impact, improve programme delivery, and strengthen organisational capabilities.
Applications open August 1st.
Deadline: 30 September 2025
https://www.thedifferent.foundation/ai-for-all
Fat Beehive Foundation
Grants of up to £2,500 are available to small UK registered charities to help them improve their digital presence. The funding is intended to support the creation of websites or digital products that enable small charities to carry out their work in a more efficient and effective way, resulting in positive social benefit.
Deadline: 30 September 2025
https://www.fatbeehivefoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/
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
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
https://www.rsmacdonald.com/our-grants/
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
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
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/
The Access Foundation
Grants are available to registered charities, CICs, educational establishments and CIOs for projects that mitigate the digital divide by making computing facilities, support and/or learning available to disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://theaccessgroupfoundation.com/apply/
Clothworkers' Foundation
The Foundation aims to use its funding to improve the quality of life for people and communities that face disadvantage and marginalisation. Funding is available for capital costs, including: digital/audio visual equipment.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/
HIE Digital Specialist Advice Grant
HIE Digital Specialist Advice Grant offers up to £5,000 to allow you to access expert consultancy to help with feasibility studies or action plans that drive innovation, efficiency, and growth using advanced digital technologies - such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cyber security.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.hie.co.uk/support/browse-all-support-services/digitalspecialistadvicegrant/
Digital Technology Adoption Grant
HIE Digital and Technology Adoption Capital Grant will support you with funding to implement advanced digital technologies - such as augmented reality, robotics, IoT, and cyber security - to drive transformation, boost efficiency, and reduce emissions. Applicants are encouraged to have a digital action plan or feasibility study in place before applying.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.hie.co.uk/support/browse-all-support-services/hie-digital-and-technology-adoption-capital-grant/
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
8 | HEALTH
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/
Alzheimer's Society Accelerator Programme
This programme invests in innovations by UK businesses to improve the lives of people in the UK who are affected by dementia. Applications are sought from early stage UK businesses solving problems in the dementia space. Applicants should be able to demonstrate proof of concept and early product traction. Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome.
Deadline: 19 September 2025
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/research/our-research/dementia-innovation/accelerator-programme
Scotland - Independent Advocacy Social Care Fund
The Independent Advocacy Social Care Fund is a new fund provided by the Scottish Government to test how the less common types of independent advocacy - collective, peer or citizen - can support people who need social care. Grants of up to £50,000 are available. Projects must start on or after 1 April 2026 and be completed by the end of March 2027.
The following can apply: Voluntary organisations, Registered charities, Social enterprises.
Community interest companies that continue to meet the Regulator of Community Interest Companies’ community interest test and asset lock provisions. Partnership applications will be accepted.
Deadline: 22 September 2025 (8am)
https://www.gov.scot/publications/independent-advocacy-social-care-fund-form-and-guidance/pages/overview/
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
https://search.mygrantfinder.co.uk/Scheme/OpenLink/GRUKBP3!S54375?uri=https%3A%2F%2Finspiringscotland.org.uk%2Ffund%2Fchanging-places-toilets-fund%2F
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-from-rnib/
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
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
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/
9 | LAND & PROPERTY
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 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)
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/scottish-land-fund#section-2
10 | POVERTY & COST OF LIVING CRISIS
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. Individual families can apply and, in addition, applications on behalf of groups of children, organisations and other registered charities.
Deadline: 30 September 2025
https://www.theadamsontrust.co.uk/
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/
Mickel Fund
Grants are available for registered charities for projects in Scotland that address the charitable objectives of the
Fund. The application process will re-open on 19th September 2025
Deadline: TBA
https://www.mickelfund.org.uk/
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
Family Fund Trust
Grants up to £300 are available to support families and individuals for essential personal and household needs to assist families and individuals with low incomes, particularly those living on benefits.
Deadline: Ongoing
https://www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/
Happy Days Children's Charity
Funding for families with children aged 3-17 who are disabled, have a special need or have been abused.
Deadline Ongoing
https://www.happydayscharity.org/applications
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/
Pets Foundation - Preventing Pet Relinquishment Grants
Grants of up to £80,000 per year are available for projects which aim to keep pets with their owners and out of rescue, including projects providing emergency pet fostering for people facing crisis, subsidised veterinary care, neutering schemes and pet food banks.
Deadline: 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/
11 | SPORT FUNDING
Scottish Mountaineering Trust
Grants are available for organisations and individuals to promote public recreation, knowledge and safe enjoyment of the mountains of Scotland. 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/
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
12 | YOUNG PEOPLE
Music for All - Community Project Funding
Grants are available to UK-based community groups, including schools that aim to bring musical projects to their local communities. Grants are at the discretion of the funders and values vary from round to round.
Deadline: 24 September 2025 (noon)
https://www.musicforall.org.uk/
Scottish Book Trust – Live Literature Programme
The Live Literature Programme is provided by the Scottish Book Trust. 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 will cover the £115 of the author's fee plus all author expenses within set guidelines.
Deadline: 26 September 2025
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/writing-and-authors/live-literature/apply-now-part-funded
Hugo Burge Foundation - Creative Grants
The funding is intended to support creativity across the UK.
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. Grants can be used to support a wide range of activities including individual projects, community arts festivals and cultural fairs, workshops in schools and field trips to arts or cultural sites.
Deadline: 30 September 2025
https://www.hugoburgefoundation.org/grants
Children’s Alliance
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.
Deadline: during September 2025
https://childrensalliance.org.uk/our-work/community/
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
https://henrysmith.foundation/grants/holiday-grants/
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/
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
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
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/
