Funding and Support

Rather than replicate what already exists, the Communities Channel aims to point you in the direction of some of the most useful funding sites and resources. Click on the links to find out more.

Resource	Summary
Aspiring Communities Fund	A new fund from the Scottish Government which will be open to community bodies that tackle poverty and disadvantage in their area.	More

Big Lottery Fund Scotland	It's always worth checking the Big Lottery Fund website to see what grants are available for community organisations. At the time of writing, this grant was available for community-led activity.	More

The Big Lottery Fund's funding finder	BIG's funding finder helps you identify the most suitable funding programme for your project from amongst the range of funding streams that BIG provides. A similar online search facility, also from the lottery, exists at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/funding-finder.	More

Community Food & Health Scotland	CFHS offers between £500 and £5000 to community groups and organisations working with or within Scotland’s low-income communities to improve access to, and take-up of, a healthy, varied and balanced diet.	More

Community Funds	This page provides a list of Scottish Government funds available to community organisations, with links to further information.	More

Community Toolkit	The Community Toolkit was developed by Skye & Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations and has been adopted by local voluntary sector support organisations across Scotland. As part of the toolkit, S&LCVO maintains an up-to-date searchable database of funding for voluntary and community organisations.	More

Community Shares	Community shares allow you to raise money for a social enterprise through selling 'withdrawable shares' to the wider community.	More

Easyfundraising	Easyfundraising is a way to raise money for good causes simply by shopping online. You can register your community group for free, and ask community members to support you whenever they shop on-line.	More

Equality Updates, Funding Extra	Part of GCVS's Glasgow’s Equality Networks Forum, Funding Extra is a weekly e-bulletin listing the latest equalities-related funding available. Community groups should find plenty of relevant grants and other support.	More

Foundation Scotland	Foundation Scotland distributes a range of funding, much of it directed at community groups and organisations.	More

Funding Scotland	SCVO has developed this website to enable you to search for relevant funding.	More

JustGiving	JustGiving enables you to raise funds online. You can have your own funding page and use tools such as crowdfunding. JustGiving charges a small % of all donations.	More

LEADER	LEADER is a European Union funded bottom-up method of support for rural development. Support is mainly aimed at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature. See your Local Action Group (LAG) to find out what is happening in your local area and how your community group might be able to get involved.	More

Neighbourly	Neighbourly is an online platform that connects community projects with businesses that want to help.	More

The People's Health Trust	People’s Health Trust funds good causes with money raised through The Health Lottery. The Trust's Active Communities fund offers funding to community groups.	More

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations	SCVO offers a range of ways to help you find funding. The funding section on its website offers advice on funding and on the different streams and types of funding that exist. You can also purchase the annual Scottish Directory of Funding for Third Sector Organisations for £30.00 from http://scvoshop.org.uk/product/funding-directory-2014/	More

Scottish Civic Trust	It could be worthwhile checking the Trust's website for support around improving your local environment. For instance, My Place Mentoring supports community groups in disenfranchised communities to engage with their local environment in a meaningful way that changes spaces and places for the better.	More

Tesco Bags of Help	Your community group can apply to be one of three community projects in your region that Tesco customers can vote for in-store. Selected community projects can win up to £5000 which is funded through the 5p carrier bag levy.	More

Unity Lottery	Through joining Unity Lottery, 50p from every £1 spent by your community members on this lottery will go directly to your group.	More

Volunteering Matters	Volunteering Matters' Action Earth grant allows groups to apply for grants of between £50-250 to run environmental activities that will protect Scotland’s green spaces.	More