The list below has been collated by The Garioch Partnership. It is not a comprehensive list of all funding options. Funding opportunities have been listed in two groups: by closing date, where applicable, and in alphabetical order when no closing date is listed.
Links to further sources of funding organisations are listed at the bottom of this page.
Please note: all information and web links given were correct at time of publishing, but may be changed by the funding organisation. If a web link no longer works, or the information has been updated, please let us know by emailing, info@gariochpartnership.org.uk
Ongoing Funding Opportunities
Aberdeenshire Community Transport Initiative Small Grant Fund
Did you know that Aberdeenshire Council’s Passenger Transport Unit has a small grant fund where we can provide grants of up to £3,000 for groups looking to investigate the potential for, or to set up a local community transport service such as a volunteer car scheme
Here are some examples of what we would consider funding:
Will be considered
Likely to be refused
- Top up funding to run an existing service that already benefits from Council funding
- Funding for a project that would compete with existing transport services (e.g. there is already a car scheme in your area and you want to start another one)
- Funding for items already fully covered by a grant.
If this is of interest, and you would find it helpful, staff are happy to discuss further prior to any applications for funding being submitted.
Heather Dey, Senior Transport Officer, Passenger Transport Unit
Aberdeenshire Council, Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB16 5GB
Tel: 01467 539084
Aberdeenshire Council – Garioch Area Initiatives Fund
Communities across Garioch can now apply to the Garioch Area Initiatives Fund, which will provide funding of up to £1,750 for projects promoting the development of community-based initiatives.
The fund of £15,000 has been set aside to support local groups to meet the needs of their communities and tap into the talent and resources that exist throughout the area.
Applications are invited from constituted groups and the aim is to deliver projects within the Garioch area in line with the following themes:
- Improving the Appearance and Maintenance of Towns
- Healthy Communities
- Strong Communities
- Safe Communities
For an application form/further details call the Garioch Area Office on 01467 539371 or email: garioch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Please feel free to share this with any other community groups who may be interested.
Aberdeenshire Sports Council Club Grants
Offering various small grants (usually up to £250 or £500) for the cost of equipment, events, development, club start-ups or travel.
Find out more at http://absportco.org.uk/grants_available.php.
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
Championing access to arts and heritage across the country.
Applications are now open for the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation’s new funding framework to champion access to arts and heritage across the country. Offering grants of up to £25,000, the three new strands will Unlock, Enhance and Empower all areas of arts, culture and heritage to enrich lives, support potential, improve skills and reach diverse communities.
Find out more at their Blog http://andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com/blog/andrew-lloyd-webber-foundation-launches-new-funding-to-support-access-to-the-arts. – and find the application form and guidance here: http://andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com/application-guidance.
Andy Fanshawe Memorial Trust
Grants for disadvantaged young people to develop an existing interest in adventurous activities. The AFMT awards grants to disadvantaged young people to develop an existing interest and experience in adventurous outdoor activities. This includes walking, climbing, cycling, kayaking, sailing, horse riding – either self-planned or for residential courses at an outdoor centre.
Mostly, looking for enthusiasm, initiative and a sense of adventure.
For more information, visit https://www.andyfanshawe.org/index.php.
Apache Corporation Charity Committee Fund
Are you a local Aberdeen city or Aberdeenshire charity who is looking for funding support for a specific project or campaign?
At Apache Corporation we take our community involvement seriously and our Charity Committee is currently reaching out to increase awareness of the work they do. This includes promoting the availability of funding for local charity projects and we’d particularly like to encourage new local charities to make applications for funding. Registered charities are given a preference and we prefer to fully fund a specific project rather than make general donations.
To make an application is simple – just email details of your charity and the project you require funding for. There is no word limit for the submission but structured, clear and concise submissions are strongly encouraged. If you are able to provide detailed quotes at the outset to support your application this is also appreciated.
For further information or to make an application please email ans.charity@apachecorp.com
Asda Foundation
A charitable corporate foundation giving independent grants and supporting locally relevant projects throughout the UK.
There are five funding strands within the Asda Foundation:
- Green Token Giving
- Significant Local Giving
- Top-up Funding Grants
- Colleague Hardship Fund
- Local Impact Grants
Find out more at their website: https://www.asdafoundation.org/
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Cinema Near You
This is a two year development programme which aims to improve access to screen and cinema provision in Scotland.
The scheme is targeting those communities where the need is greatest, and where the benefits may be most significant.
For more information, or to apply, visit https://www.regionalscreenscotland.org/what-we-do/screen-provision/.
Crerar Trust
As a charitable trust funded by the Crerar Hotel Group, the Crerar Trust is tasked with gifting more than half of the company’s annual distributable profits to good causes.
Funded organisations will have links to where Crerar Hotels are based or have interests.
The board of trustees welcome applications from charities and communities in and around where Crerar Hotels are located.
Find out more at https://www.crerarhotels.com/crerar-trust.
Culture & Business Fund Scotland
The Culture & Business Fund Scotland enables businesses and arts or heritage organisations to come together and build effective, sustainable partnerships, bringing creative projects – large and small – vividly to life.Funded by the Scottish Government via Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland, and managed by Arts & Business Scotland, the CBFS provides critical £ for £ match funding – making the journey from a great idea, to a great project, possible.
Find out more at https://www.culturebusinessfund.scot/
David and June Gordon Memorial Trust
Supporting music, the arts, youth groups and community centres in the North East of Scotland.
Since 1975, the DGMT, set up in memory of David Gordon, the 4th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, has been working to continue David’s life long interest, shared by his wife, June, in supporting music, the arts, youth groups, community centres and in continuing ecumenical services in Haddo House chapel.
June Gordon died in 2009 and the Trust has been renamed the David & June Gordon Memorial Trust. In her memory the Trust undertook an appeal to increase the funds of the Trust. That appeal continues and is used to enable the Trust to provide greater support to the groups and organisations in the North East of Scotland.
For more information, visit http://davidandjunegordonmemorialtrust.co.uk/
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Gordon & Ena Baxter Foundation
The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation strives to support a broad range of good causes across the North East of Scotland, spanning a variety of key themes. These include, but are not limited to: education and training; arts and heritage; health and community care; sports; conservation and the environment.
To discuss eligibility and timings for funding, it is best to introduce your project to the Foundation Manager in the first instance. Once an enquiry has been checked for eligibility using the pre-application questionnaire, applicants will be invited to submit a full application for the consideration of our trustees.
All applications receive feedback, whether or not they are sucessful. Find out more at www.gebfoundation.com/
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Gordon Leisure Projects Trust
The Gordon Leisure Projects Trust grant is for provision of recreational amenities and facilities in the old Gordon District Area. The Gordon Leisure Projects Trust grant is for provision of playing fields, pavilions or other recreational amenities and facilities and is available to groups operating in the old Gordon District Area, including Blackburn, Insch, Inverurie, Kemnay, Kintore, Newmachar and Westhill.
The maximum grant will normally be £2,000. Any grant provided will not normally be for more than 75 percent of the project cost.
Further information on eligibility can be found within the application form, which is available on the Council website: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/funding/gordon-leisure-projects-trust/
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Greenspace Scotland / Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme
Bags of Help uses the money raised from the sale of Bags for Life in Tesco stores to fund a wide range of projects that meet the programme’s aims and objectives to benefit the local community.
As well as funding the development of and activity in outdoor spaces such as allotments, community gardens and parks, grants are available to fund the purchase of items such as sports kits, camping equipment, spades, litter pickers or specialised medical equipment. Funding is also available for improvements to community buildings, for example scout or guide hut, church or village hall or sports changing rooms. Groups looking to hold seasonal events and activities such as a Christmas lights can also apply for funding.
Tesco Bags of Help funding is available to many communities across Britain. You can now apply at any time for funding between £1000 – £4000 for a wide range of indoor and outdoor projects that benefit your local community.
For more information, or to apply, visit the Greenspace Scotland website: www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/grant-funding.
Greggs Local Community Projects Fund
This funding is offered to organisations supporting people in need.
Any not for profit organisation can apply, however, larger organisations with a turnover in excess of £300,000 will be unsuccessful.
They are interested in projects that improve resilience within your community. This can include sessional activities/respite support, equipment for sessional activities, trips and residential breaks. They are also interested in new approaches and innovative ideas as well as sustainable approaches to supporting your community.
They do not fund running costs or continuation of existing and ongoing work.
For more information, visit their website: www.greggsfoundation.org.uk/grants/local-community-projects-fund.
Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation (IYSF)
IYSF is a charitable foundation founded by local entrepreneur Steven Ferguson & his family. Steven and Wendy Ferguson have been inspired to support and promote the future development of youth in sport within the Garioch area.
The IYSF would like to welcome applications for funding to help support the development of youth in sport. We have set our boundary, as the Garioch area but applications from outside the area may be considered.
For more information, visit https://www.iysf.org.uk/
Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Grants Programme
Kellogg’s has teamed up with Forever Manchester to award grants of £1,000 to school Breakfast Clubs, to help them provide breakfast to those children who need it most.
You can apply for an award at any date and you will hear within one month if you have been successful. Please note the fund may close if oversubscribed.
Your breakfast club must be based in a school in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
A limited number of grants are available so priority will be given to schools that have 40% and above of children eligible for pupil premium funding and / or eligible for free school meals.
Only one grant per school in each academic year is available.
For more information, visit https://forevermanchester.com/kelloggs-breakfast-club-programme/
Morrisons Foundation
Grant funding for community groups The Morrisons Foundation awards grant funding for charity projects which make a positive difference in local communities.
In the main grants are available to fully fund projects up to £25,000.
For more information, visit https://www.morrisonsfoundation.com/grant-funding-request/.
National Lottery Awards for All Scotland
Funding for voluntary or community groups. This programme provides funding from £300 – £10,000 and is ongoing.
It is open to constituted organisations, voluntary and community organisations, not-for-profit companies and Community Interest Companies, as well as schools and statutory bodies.
For more information, visit https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-scotland.
National Lottery Community Fund
This funding aims to support communities to improve the places in which they live and the wellbeing of those most in need.
Grants of between £10,001 and £150,000 are available for voluntary or community organisations.
Organisations will be funded to deliver work that achieves the following outcomes:
- Everyone in the community has the opportunity to influence and get involved in community-led activity.
- People in the community are better connected and work together to improve their well-being.
Find out more at https://https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/grants-for-community-led-activity
Pounds for Purpose – Funding for 16-26 year-olds
Do you see opportunities around you to make things better, but need some support and advice – not to mention some cold hard cash – before you can get going? Pounds for Purpose can help!
What better way to celebrate the Year of Young People than by giving you the power to make a change in the issues that matter to you. If you are aged 16-26, want to make a positive stand, and have an idea that can make a difference to people or the environment, Pounds for Purpose offers you the chance to get your hands on £500 to make it happen.
For more information, visit www.firstport.org.uk/programmes/pounds-for-purpose
Prince’s Trust Development Awards
Do you know any young people aged 16-24 who would benefit from up to £280 towards course fees, interview clothing, tools and equipment?
To be eligible, young people must be unemployed or working for less than 16 hours per week or in education for less than 14 hours per week.
Find out more at their website: https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/get-funding-train-learn.
Scotrail Stations Community Regeneration Fund
ScotRail and Transport Scotland are seeking applications for a £1.5million community fund, designed to breathe new life into old and disused railway station premises.
The Stations Community Regeneration Fund enables business and community groups to transform redundant station rooms into facilities to benefit local people.
Any projects that will aid communities or rail passengers will be considered for grants of between £5,000 and £75,000. Bids may also be made for larger sums, dependent on in-depth feasibility studies.
Grants can be used to contribute towards the costs of any structural repairs and to assist with the costs of fitting out station premises for their intended use.
Applications will be assessed on whether they fit with the existing building, businesses and local area, how they meet a market or community demand, and the future benefits expected from the proposal.
Find out more at www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/scotrail-community/stations-community-regeneration-fund/
Scottish Children’s Lottery
The Scottish Children’s Lottery supports four Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs). Both the weekly draws and the Instant Win games on their website benefit these good causes on a rotational basis.
Find out more at www.scottishchildrenslottery.com/en/stv/good-causes/good-causes.html or see below for a brief summary of each of the four supported organisations.
Chance to Connect is a grant-giving organisation that seeks to alleviate the disadvantages that many children in Scotland face. Targeting local regeneration, it aims to improve the provision of facilities, promote citizenship, and give young people across Scotland the chance to live in a safe, supportive and stimulating community.
Find out more, and apply, at their website: www.chancetoconnect.co.uk/apply-for-funding
Currently, one in five children in Scotland live in poverty. We believe that every child deserves the very best start in life, whatever their family’s circumstances. With your support, Chance to Flourish will invest in projects that aim to alleviate the impact of poverty, providing help to those children who need it most.
Find out more, and apply, at their website: www.chancetoflourish.co.uk/apply-for-funding
With a focus on improving children’s education, Chance to Study is a grant-giving charity that works with community groups, families and carers to ensure all young people in Scotland have the opportunity to learn, develop and fulfil their potential.
Find out more, and apply, at their website: www.chancetostudy.co.uk/apply-for-funding
Chance to Succeed aims to reduce the damaging effects of financial hardship, poverty, disability and illness on the next generation. Working with charities and community groups, it supports projects with a focus on employability to help nurture a productive, positive future for young people in Scotland.
Find out more, and apply, at their website: http://chancetosucceed.co.uk/apply-for-funding
Scottish Community Alliance – Community Learning Exchange Funding
This funding is an opportunity for communities to learn through the exchange of ideas and the sharing of common solutions.
The Exchange will fund up to 100% of the costs of a visit by members of one community to another community project up to a limit of £750, including a host fee. The Exchange will also fund follow up support between organisations.
For more information, visit https://http://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/community-learning-exchange
Scottish Education and Action for Development (SEAD) Fund
SEAD Fund grants are small grants for individuals or groups. Grants are typically £100 – £250.
They state that “We fund positive action, and campaigning. We look for proposals where the grant will have the most impact — for example, helping a new campaign to get started, or funding a specific concrete action for a local community.
We do not normally fund travel, e.g. to visit a conference. We promote social justice, with a current focus on the following areas: climate justice; inequality; poverty; women’s rights; young people and their global rights; health justice.”
For more information, visit https://seadfund.sodash.net/
Step Up and Scale Up Challenges 2019
Two new funding challenges worth £3.3 million are being launched to support all social enterprises – large and small – across Scotland.
The investment programmes – Step Up and Scale Up Challenges – have been created by Social Investment Scotland (SIS) to reflect the varying nature and scope of not-for-profit firms.
The Step Up Challenge has £300,000 of social investment loan funding which will provide a number of organisations with financial support ranging from £10,000 – £100,000. Successful applicants will also receive tailored support to help them achieve their growth aspirations.
The Scale Up Challenge is £3m of funding and is aimed at larger, more established and ambitious organisations that are looking to scale their activities in a more significant way. Investment between £100,000 and £1m is available as well as bespoke business support to help them achieve their significant growth plans.
Find out more at http://www.socialinvestmentscotland.com/support
SUEZ Communities Trust Fund
Providing funds to not-for-profit organisations to undertake work that is eligible under the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF).
SUEZ Communities Trust will consider projects which focus on physical improvement at an identified site. Projects which take place at multiple sites cannot be considered.
Funding is typically awarded for the purchase of materials/equipment and the appointment of a contractor to undertake the improvement work. A request for funding for salaries, running costs, project management or design fees will not be considered.
Find out more at https://www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk/apply-for-funding/scotland/
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
This is a medium-sized grant making foundation giving grants to small, well-established organisations in the UK who address local issues in areas of extreme urban deprivation, or in remote and fragile rural communities.
Their focus is on supporting smaller charitable and not-for-profit organisations within the UK, with a total annual income under £500,000, who work in the most deprived urban areas or the most remote and socio-economically deprived rural areas.
Within these overarching themes, they support projects which fall under the broad headings of Community Support, Arts, Education and Heritage.
Find out more at their website: http://trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk/.
Vattenfall Unlocking Our Future Fund
The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is owned and operated by Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Limited, a subsidiary of Vattenfall, has committed to a community benefit scheme to benefit projects working within the local authority areas of Aberdeenshire and /or the City of Aberdeen. The Unlock our Future Fund provides up to £150,000 per annum, rising in line with the Retail Price Index, for the life of the wind farm, which is expected to be at least 20 years.
Find out more at their website: https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/unlock-our-future-fund/.
Volunteering Matters Action Earth 2019
Funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, Volunteering Matters Action Earth empowers people in Scotland to take action and improve their local environment through volunteering.
Any group of volunteers can apply for Volunteering Matters Action Earth grants of between £50-250 to run environmental activities in Scotland’s green spaces. This could include creating or improving community gardens, wildflower meadows, ponds or woodlands.
They can also offer Action Earth Enhanced Grants, of up to £500 for projects which can demonstrate a significant health impact through working with people who have defined health or social needs.
Find out more at their website: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/project/action-earth/.
Young Start (Big Lottery Fund)
Through Young Start the Big Lottery Fund are offering funding from £10,000 to £100,000 to help children and young people across Scotland become more confident, so they can realise their own potential.
They want to fund work that achieves at least one of the following three outcomes:
- children and young people have better physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
- children and young people have better connections with the wider community
- children and young people get access to new skills and training opportunities which will help them to get a new job or start a business.
To find out more, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/young-start
Other Sources of Funding Information
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA)
AVA list a number of funding opportunities on the funding page of their website: Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action
Creative STAR Learning Ltd – Outdoor Learning and Play
Creative STAR Learning Ltd’s website has a list of grants compiled to aid schools, youth groups, the environmental, outdoor and play sectors with finding funding for a range of outdoor ventures and initiatives. The list is available on their website: Creative STAR
Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP)
Comprising nine categories, STP’s Funding Finder provides easy to read information on current funding streams, highlighting where new funds have been announced and where application deadlines are looming. Download the latest issue at the STP website.