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Funding sources

 

 

Below are  listed some funding sources that may be useful to therapeutic  and community gardening groups. For a more comprehensive and focused funding search, please contact your local library or volunteer centre and arrange to use their 'funder finder', this  enables a search of  an extensive database of funders using your own project criteria.

 

Here are some possible project funders:

Growing Communities in Scotland Travel Bursaries

 The Growing Communities Partnership, (Trellis, The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens & The Allotments Regeneration Initiative) is launching its 'Sites Visits Travel Bursary' funded by the Big Lottery. Projects can apply for up to £300 for travel and associated expenses for up to six people & awards will be made to those who can demostrate that the proposed visit can benefit their own therapeutic garden, community garden or city farm. If you would like further information please contact Vicki Ferguson, Growing Communities in Scotland Fieldwork Co-ordinator, at the Trellis Office on 01738 624348 or email vicki@trellisscotland.org.uk. Click here for further Information and an Application Form

The Green Insurance Company's Green Grants Initiative

The Green Insurance Company's Green Grants Initiative is urging the communities to apply for up to £2,000 to help fund local environmental projects. The leading environmental insurance provider has allocated £20,000 to support community projects and is inviting applications from across the country.  Potential projects could include:
A community garden to grow your own vegetables or a wildlife garden to encourage biodiversity
A project to increase awareness of environmental issues and educate children to develop good environmental habits
Funding to help make a local community building more energy efficient
Help to start up an environmental society or to host a community eco-fair to encourage people to become more environmentally aware

The Green Insurance Company have set up an easy to use online application form available at www.greeninsurancecompany.co.uk/givingand are inviting applications up until 29th August 2010. A panel of environmental experts including the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Glasgow University, The Green Business Partnership and The Green Insurance Company will review all applications. The announcements of the projects that have been successful in achieving the grants will be made in the autumn.  For further information on Green Grants and full eligibility criteria visit www.greeninsurancecompany.co.uk/giving.  

 

Funding For Arts Activities

The Make a Splash! project has a small grants programme offering small voluntary groups in Scotland the chance to apply for between £250 – £2,000 to try something new and help even more people discover how good it feels to take part in arts and crafts activity. The grant can be used to cover a wide range of things, from venue hire to training – see the guidelines at the bottom of the form for full details. http://www.scottishcf.org/resources/funds/view/82/make-a-splash-/?from=M/1

 

Big Lottery Fund Re-Launch!

BLF’s Investing In Communities programme was re-launched on 30 June 2010, with £400 million to be distributed across three investment area’s .  For further information go to http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland

  

Energy Saving Trust If you are looking for funding for your community project then try the Energy Saving Trust web pages. There is lots of advice and many funding suggestions to be found on their 'How to get Funding for Your Community Project' page and its also possible to search their Green Communities Funding Database

 

Community Wildlife Fund

Through the fund not for profit groups, local councils, schools and health bodies can apply for funding of between £300 and £10,000 for projects. There are three deadlines for applications: 21st July, 22nd September and 24th November. For more info go to http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_community_wildlife

 

 

 

Baily Thomas Charitable Fund

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund is a registered charity which was established to support projects in the area of learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected bylearning disability by making grants to voluntary organisations within the UK and the Republic ofIreland working in this field. The Trust consider under learning disability the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, they consider projects concerning children or adults. Application for funding is normally considered for capital and revenue costs and for both specific projects and for general running/core costs. They will not offer grants for research into or care of those with mental illness or dyslexia. They offer grants from £250 upwards. The next deadline for applications is the 1st October 2010. For more information, please visit:http://www.bailythomas.org.uk

NHS Health Scotland "Are We Really Listening?"

NHS Health Scotland "Are We Really Listening?" is a project to support new initiatives to reduce mental health stigma in Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in Scotland. NHS Health Scotland wants to fund four short term projects to try tackling this stigma locally and is seeking applications. Each project will receive & pound;3,000 funding and 5 months support from Health Scotland between August and December 2010. NHS Health Scotland is keen to learn good practice in engaging with BME communities and effective ways of diverse communities talking about mental health problems openly within their community. Applications are welcome from a wide variety of sources. Anyone who works broadly in health or mental health improvement, equalities, BME communities or any combination, across thevoluntary sector and public sector in Scotland can apply.NHS Health Scotland welcome in particular applications for projects targeting men or young people (16-25 years) from BME communities.

An information sheet and an application form can be downloaded from the NHS Health Scotland website or you can contact jacqueline.mcclafferty@nhs.net or phone 0141 354 2900 for an application form.Deadline for the application forms is Monday 31st May 2010.

People's Postcode Trust

The People's Postcode Trust, a trust set up by the "People's Postcode Lottery" in April 2009, has announced that their next funding round will open for applications on the 7th June 2010. Funding of between £500 and £10,000 (£2,000 if not a registered charity) is available to small organisations and community groups operating in the areas of Poverty Prevention; Advancement of Health; Community Development; Public Sports; Human Rights; and Environmental Protection. Projects supported can last for up to 3 months. Previous projects supported include Bishopton Village Nursery which received a grant of £825 to support children's learning and Scottish Native Woods, an organisation that exists to rescue, restore and expand Scotland's native woodswoodlands that are natural to Scottish landscape. The organisation received a grant of £9,958 to thin out trees, reinstate and repair paths and reinstall drainage systems. For more information, please visit http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk

Gardening for Disabled Trust

The Gardening for Disabled Trust offers grants to individuals in order that they may continue to garden, despite advancing illness, age or disability. In order to apply for a grant, individuals must be a member of the Trust's Garden Club and have a written note from their GP, social worker or occupational therapist, describing their disability. The Trust offers a range of support measures such as; adapting private gardens to meet the special needs of the disabled; making grants towards tools, raised beds, paving and greenhouses; providing help with special gardens in hospitals, centres and schools; distributing information on garden aid and techniques; providing a forum for disabled gardeners by publishing the Garden Club's magazine. The Trust's committee meet once a month to consider applications. For more information, please visit: http://www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk/about.html

Partnership Drugs Initiative

Managed by: Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland What is it for? Help for young people affected by substance misuse Who can apply? Registered charities operating in Scotland The Partnership Drugs Initiative promotes voluntary sector work with vulnerable children and young people affected by substance misuse. The groups targeted are: Children and young people in families in which parents misuse drugs or alcohol; Pre-teen children who are at higher risk of developing problems with substance misuse; Young people who are developing or who have established problems with substancemisuse. For more information, please visit: http://www.ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk/index.asp?cat=Home

MAN GROUP PLC CHARITABLE TRUST

What is it for? Support for a range of charitable activities that support disadvantaged groups. Who can apply? UK registered charities What is available? Up to £250,000 The Man Group plc operates the Charitable Trust to help support charities that focus on supporting disadvantaged youth; managing literacy and numeracy projects; and supporting vulnerable populations. The type of activities that may be funded include: Arts; Sport;Education;Relief of homelessness; Social Inclusion; Relief of domestic violence; Addressing mental health issues. There are two grant programmes - Small Grants for up to £50,000 and Large Grants for up to £250,000. For more information, please visit: http://www2.mangroupplc.com/CR/charitabletrust

LLOYDS TSB FOUNDATION

LLOYDS TSB FOUNDATION FOR SCOTLAND REOPENS APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS NAMED IN HONOUR OF HENRY DUNCAN Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, one of Scotland’s leading charitable organisations, has announced the reopening of its grant-making programme and is inviting charities to apply for funding from the £2 million available for 2010. The first deadline for applications for Henry Duncan Awards is May 24, with further deadlines in July and September. The capacity building programme is also now open for applications, and charities can apply for one of these awards at any time. Details on the criteria and other information on how to apply can be found on the Foundation’s website at www.ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk.

'See Me' Local Grants Scheme

Awards of up to £5,000 available in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Dumfries & Galloway, Highland, Grampian and Ayrshire & Arran. "'see me's vision is for a Scotland where all people with mental health problems are fully equal and included. There will also be one Equality Award of up to £5,000 on offer for work that aims to tackle mental health inequalities and stigma within communities that already face discrimination. Applications close on 28th May 2010. You can download a copy of the guidelines and application form from www.seemescotland.org or email info@seemescotland.org or call 'see me' on (0131) 554 0218.

Big Lottery 2014 Communities Fund

Glasgow is hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Big Lottery Fund Scotland wants to ensure that we are providing support to groups who want to benefit from this once in a lifetime opportunity for people and communities across Scotland. The 2014 Community fund is aimed at promoting physical activity in the community (stress the physical/social/ mental health benefits of gardening in your application). See http://www2.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_2014_communities.htm?regioncode=-sco&status=theProg

LEADER, Funding for innovative rural projects

LEADER is part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme, aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. It replaces the Leader+ programme that ran from 2000 to 2006, and encourages new and experimental approaches to rural development. LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support for rural development through implementing a local rural development strategy. Support is aimed primarily at small-scale, community driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature. Information can be found on the new Scotland National Rural website http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/rural-development/leader

Hilton in the Community Foundation

Organisations that work with young people have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £50,000 per year through the Hilton Foundation. During 2006, the Foundation made grants totalling over £1.3m to numerous organisations including registered charities and schools for activities and projects that meet one of the Foundation's three chosen areas of focus; YoungPeople - Education; Young People - Health; and Disaster Relief and International Fund. Previously supported projects by the Foundation have included the Palmer Junior School, which received a grant of £2,740 to help send 11 young people on a school field trip, who could otherwise not afford it and the Red Gates School, which received a grant of £750 for specialist equipment at the school. The next closing date for applications is the 16th February 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.hilton-foundation.org.uk/home.htm

Young Film Fund

First Light Movies provides grants to projects that enable young people to participate in all aspects of film productions. Since launching in 2001, First Light Movies have enabled over12,000 young filmmakers to write, act, shoot, light, direct and produce over 800 films. The funding is available to organisations such as schools, youth services, community and voluntary groups that work with young people aged between 5 and 18. Every year approximately £700,000 of grants are available through three funding streams. The Studio Awards provides grants of up to £30, 000 for between two and four films of up to 10 minutes. The Script Awards provides grants of up to £3,000 for script writing projects that team young people with script professionals. The Pilot Awards provides grants of up to £5,000 for one short film of up to five minutes in duration. The next closing date for all three programmes is the 19th January 2010. For more information, please visit: http://www.firstlightonline.co.uk/funding/young-film-fund

Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards

The Tesco Charity Trust has announced that it will once again be seeking applications through its Community Awards programme in early 2010. The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme provides one off donations of between £500 and £4,000. The funding it gives goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities, living in the local communities around our stores in the UK. There are two categories of Community Awards. Grants to support children's welfare and/or children's educations (including special needs schools) and grants to support elderly people and/or adults and children with disabilities. Previous projects supported have included; sensory garden or room projects; outdoor classrooms; breakfast and after school clubs; holiday play-schemes; and part funding to purchase minibuses. The grants programme for children's welfare will open for applications will open from the 1st December to the 31st January 2010. The grants programme for elderly people and / or adults and children with disabilities will open from the 1st February to the 31st March 2010. For more information, please visit http://digbig.com/5bangs

The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation

The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation provides grants to charities for educational projects, music composition and performances, herbal medicine, medical research, disability, and farming related projects.Grants of up to £20,000 are available to registered charities with a turnover of less than£500,000. The Foundation favours supporting small charities that will carry out the project themselves (except in the case of medical research), who rely on volunteers and who can demonstrate a successful history of projects. The Trustees will usually meet to consider applications in January, April, July, and October. Applications need to be submitted before the last week in the month before the next meeting. For example, for an application to be considered at the January meeting, applicants will need to submit it before the last week of December. For more information, please visit http://digbig.com/5bangp

Peter Vardy Foundation

Peter Vardy, one of Scotland's leading car dealerships has launched the Peter Vardy Charitable Fund (PVCF) with an initial £100,000 investment. The PVCF will be run by a board of trustees which will meet regularly to review all funding applications that support underprivileged young people in communities across Scotland where Peter Vardy runs dealerships. Currently this includes Motherwell, Perth, Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh. The trustees will consider two categories for funding: applications of over £1,000 and ones for under £1,000. Interested organisations should visit: http://www.petervardy.com

The Archer Trust

What's it for? Support for disadvantaged people Who can apply? Small UK charities What is available? Between £250 and £3,000 The Trust helps small UK charities which support needy or deserving people, for example people with physical or mental disabilities or the disadvantaged, and operating in areas of high unemployment. For more information, please visit http://www.archertrust.org.uk

BBC Children in Need Small Grants Scheme

BBC Children in Need are inviting not-for-profit organisations (including registered charities, voluntary organisations, schools, local authorities, churches, social enterprises, community interest groups, universities etc) working with disadvantaged children and young people 18 years and under, living in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, to apply for grants of up to £10,000 through their small grants scheme. BBC Children in Need can only fund projects that focus on the differences made (outcomes) to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people. For this reason, when applying for a grant organisations must provide clear evidence that disadvantaged children and young people will be the primary beneficiaries of the project;and experience positive changes in their lives from the activities or services you are providing.BBC Children in Need aims to fund projects where a small amount can make a real contribution to the success of the project. Grants can be used to cover both, capital and revenue costs. There are four application deadlines in the year.The first deadline for applications is the 15th January 2010 followed by the 15th April,15th July and the 15th October 2010. For more information, please visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/general_grants.shtml

Balmore Trust

The Balmore Trust is a recognised charity [SC 008930], established in 1980, which owns The Coach House and distributes its profits as well as other donations. Two thirds of the money disbursed goes overseas and the other third to projects in the UK (mainly in the Glasgow area and favours families, teenagers, and women’s aid groups). The Trust works in the areas of education, health, alleviation of poverty and community development. For more information, please visit http://balmore1.tripod.com

CashBack for Communities (Scotland)

One million pounds of criminals'' cash is to be distributed 230 youth projects in Scotland through the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme. The Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme is funded from the proceeds of crime. The gains of serious organised criminals are taken from them and reinvested in communities to make a real difference to the lives of young people throughout Scotland. YouthLink Scotland, through CashBack for Communities, has been tasked with leading the £4 million grants programme, which supports a range of activities for young people. The previous two rounds have distributed £3 million to successful projects, and this third round distributes a further £1 million with the maximum grant capped at £10,000 to maximise the number of projects which can benefit. The funding programme is currently closed to new applications, however YouthLink hopes to announce details of a 4th funding round in April 2010. For more information, please visit: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/cashback

E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund

E.On the power and gas generating and distributing company has announced that the next application deadline for its Sustainable Energy Fund is the 2nd April 2010. The E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund offers grants of up to £20,000 to community groups and not for profit organisations who wish to consider and implement sustainable energy projects in their buildings. Projects that can be considered include; the purchase and installation of one or more renewable energy technologies (e.g. wind, solar thermal, PV, wood etc); the renovation of existing facilities to incorporate micro-generation technology (e.g. the reinstatement of a watermill and the purchase of a turbine to produce hydro-electricity); an energy efficiency makeover for your building that could demonstrate significant energy savings and also behavioural change amongst users; and the use of new or innovative technology to deliver either energy savings or micro-generation capacity. To be eligible organisations must benefit specific groups namely: Education, vulnerable people;and people in fuel poverty. For more information, please visit http://eon-uk.com/about/2654.aspx For more information, please visit

Age Unlimited (Scotland)

NESTA the national innovation agency, has announced the launch of its new AgeUnlimited Scotland programme.The programme is seeking ideas from people over 50 for a community or social enterprisethat could help people in their later years (70s, 80s and above) in Scotland to be less socially isolated and as a result lead to healthier and happier lives. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to up to 20 social enterprises / community venturesto test ideas that have the potential to reduce social isolation in the older population by creating new types of services. NESTA are looking to support projects that could; be scaled and replicated; save the public purse by offering services that are more cost-effective, or for which clients would be willing to pay a small amount; and are genuinely innovative and do not duplicate what is already in the community. NESTA will be hosting four workshops. The choice of available dates will be published shortly. The workshops will be an opportunity to meet like-minded people, to refine your idea and work out the next steps to make it live. The closing date for applications is the 1st March 2010. For more information, please visit: http://www.nesta.org.uk/areas_of_work/public_services_lab/ageing/age_unlimited_scotland

Green Communities Community Chest Programme

The Energy Saving Trust provides small grants of up to £200 to support, facilitate and promote community based energy projects. The funding which is made through the Green Communities Community Chest programme is available to small community groups with a turnover of less than £75,000 and can cover a wide range of activities such as travel costs, training, events or the purchase of equipment that will progress a groups energy saving project, where no other funding sources are available. Applications can be made at any time. Applicants are encouraged to call the Green Communities team on 0844 848 0077 to discuss their project idea. For more information, please visit http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe

M&S Greener Living Spaces Round 2

Year 2 of the programme aims to develop a range of leisure spaces for all the family, which will help to make communities greener and happier places, encourage greater awareness of climate change, and promote pro-environmental behaviour. The programme aims to transform derelict or underused land into over 30 new ‘Greener Living Spaces’ across the UK, and in doing so provide a wide range of opportunities for the engagement of M&S staff and customers. For more information, please click here.

CEMEX Community Fund

The CEMEX Community Fund enables and assists communities local to CEMEX quarry and landfill sites carry out project which improve or enhance their local community facilities and places of interest. The CEMEX Community Fund offers grants of between £1,000 and £15,000 for projects that; provide and maintain public parks and amenities when the work protects the social, built and/or natural environment; or repair, restore buildings or structures which are of religious, historical or architectural interest. All projects must be; within 10 miles of any landfill site; open to the public for evenings or two days every week, a total of 84 days per year; and within England, Scotland and Wales. There is a two-stage application process. The deadline for initial expressions of interest is the 25th January 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.cemexcf.org.uk

Voluntary Action Community Chest

The Voluntary Action Fund's Community Chest Grant scheme has re-opened for new applications . The grant is aimed at smaller community groups and voluntary organisations across Scotland and will provide grants for up tp £1, 000 as well as free training to groups with an annual income of under £25,000. Groups can apply for funding for a wide range of activities or operational costs. However, we are particularly keen to fund activities that will help build and develop strong organisations, for example: Training for committee members and volunteers; Visits to other organisations or conferences; Professional support or consultancy. We are also keen to fund groups who meet any of the following criteria: Work with disability or health related issues; Whose beneficiaries might be disadvantaged through their ethnicity, disability, gender or sexual orientation; Provide childcare. For more information please visit http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/grant-schemes/Comm

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust

Charities in the UK can apply for up to £20,000 to support various community projects . Over the next 3 years the trust will be supporting projects specifically in the following three categories each with their own deadline: Community and Disability - deadline 1st November 2009 Children, Youth, the Elderly , Medical - 1st June 2010 , 1st November 2010 Music and the Arts, and projects overseas 1st June 2011 , 1st November 2011 For more information please visit the Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust web pages.

Gateway Exchange Fund

The Gateway Exchange Fund aims to support those who are seeking funding assistance to promote healing, creative self- expression, transformation and renewal through innovative projects which can make a difference in areas of deprivation and need throughout Scotland. Grant awards up to £5000 will be avialbale for to constituted not for profit groups. Priority for grants will be given to projects which seek to involve or empower people to move on with thier lives or to fulfill their potential, where they would not otherwise have the opprotunity. For example ex-offenders, people recovering from addiction or individuals with mental health needs or recovering from abuse. In particular creative projects involving the arts or those with theapeutic, healing and spiritual benefits will be a priority. The fund does not receive direct applications so please apply via the Scottish Community Foundation on 0131 524 0300 or 0141 225 6670. or to find out more visit the Foundation web pages.

The J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust

The majority of this funding is targeted at social welfare projects. Priority is given to long-term projects that can meet more than one area of interest. Social welfare priorities include: mental Health; Offenders ; Homelessness; Young People; Ethnic Minorities ; Volunteering. The trust is also prioritising applications from outside London and the SE of England in order to ensure that their funds are distributed to all parts of the UK. Applications will resume later in summer 2009. For more information please visit the trust web pages at www.jpggettytrust.org.uk

Ecominds Funding Scheme

The Ecominds fund aims to help people with direct experience of mental distress become involved in environmental projects that improve mental and physical health and local communities. For more information, go to For Further Information click here.

Eco-innovation funding programme

The European Commission has just launched the 2009 call for proposals under the Eco-innovation funding programme. A total of EUR30m is available and priority will be given to small and medium sized enterprises, though all "legal persons" can apply. For more information Click Here

Third Sector Enterprise Fund

The Scottish Government has invested £12 million in order to help third sector organisations to become more sustainable and increase their capacity and capability. Funding must be claimed by 31 March 2011 For Further Information and Application Forms click here.

B&Q One Planet Living Awards

Helping communities become more sustainable and operate towards the eco-friendly principles of the global One Planet Living campaign. For an opportunity to gain award prizes (1st prize £10,000) click here.

The People's Millions

Why not give this a try... The Peoples Millions has funded a wide range of projects over the past few years including wildlife gardens , play areas, community halls and even an outdoor gym. Since it began in 2005 , it has given out 50 grants across Scotland totalling just over £3million. This year 14 grants of up to £50,000 are available in Scotland. Click here for further information.

CSV Action Earth

Two types of awards from Action Earth made in order to empower people to take action in their community: Action Earth Awards, - £50 to help projects pruchase plants , tool, materials & volunteers expenses SNH Biodiversity Awards - £250 aimed at groups that support & encourage Scottish Biodiversity through practical environmental projects Find them both on the Action Earth web pages.

Rural Priorities Scheme

Rural Priorities is part of the £1.6 billion Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), which delivers sustainable economic development for communities in Scotland's countryside. For further information and application forms, visit the SRDP web pages.

The Climate Challenge Fund

We understand that there is a high success rate for applicants who apply for this funding and there is lots of money still to be distributed ..why not give it a try... The village of Comrie in Perthshire put together a successful bid for this funding and are running 'A climate change conference for communities run by communities' on the 6th & 7th June 2009. For further information on the Comrie Carbon Challenge click on the link. The Scottish Government has ambitions to deliver an 80% reduction in Scottish emissions by 2050 and The Climate Challenge Fund, of £18.8m over three years (2008-11), is designed to enable communities to come forward with their own solutions to make a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The Fund offers grants to a range of community organisations to help with the planning, learning, communication and most importantly, action to reduce carbon emissions. The projects can involve a range of actions, from helping us to use less energy, or walk and cycle more, to local sustainable food. The projects should be delivered in the context of the wider environmental, social and economic dimensions, that give people new skills, improve health, help them to work together or provide better community facilities, but carbon reduction must be at the heart of every proposal.

Centre for Social Justice Awards

Charities, small voluntary groups, or other projects tackling poverty in at the local level are invited to apply for the Centre for Social Justice Awards 2009. With a prize fund of £50,000, the Award aims to recognise and reward effective poverty fighting groups from across the UK. Applications close: 17th March 2009. Click on this link for further information.

Community Cash

Young people aged 14-25 can apply for awards between £250 and £5,000 to help tackle the dangers of drugs, crime and play a positive role in their community. The Royal Bank of Scotland Community Cash Awards will see £1 million of grants being distributed by youth charity, The Prince’s Trust. Applications can be made at any time. Click on this link for further information.

Student Placement Programmes

Do you have an environmental project you need to move forward? The student placement programme run by the Business Environment Partnership is now looking for businesses interested in 2009 placements. Click on this link for further information.

Scottish Community Foundation Awards

Express Grants are available to community groups looking for funding of up to £2,000. The scheme has a straightforward application process, and a short turnaround time. Applications can be made at any time. . Click on this link for further information.

Switch On to Climate Change

SEAD have launched their "Switch On to Climate Change" project which aims to support communities putting their ideas for tackling climate change into action. Garden projects reduce carbon emissions and climate change impacts by recycling, making compost, planting seeds and plants and protecting against soil erosion so this climate change fund may be of interest. Visit SEAD website to find out more, or contact Lorraine at SEAD on lorraine@sead.org.uk

Social Entrepreneurs and Social Firms Funding

An additional £1 million of government funding for social firms has been announced to run in conjunction with the Scotland UNLtd programme. If you are not sure if your organisation qualifies as a social firm, would like to know more and perhaps apply for funding please contact Firstport Firstport Webpages, who are administering these funds.

There is also the Bridges Social Entrepreneurs Fund which will invest in social enterprises that deliver a high social impact and operate financially sustainable business models. Social enterprises looking for growth capital should contact Anthony Ross at antony@bridgesventures.com , 020 7298 0189 or Skye Elliott , skye@bridgesventures.com, 020 7298 0182

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland CURRENTLY SUSPENDED

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Priorities and guidelines for grants for the period 2009-11. The guidelines show some changes to those that have been in place over the past three years. Visit Lloyds TSB Foundation website to find out more about grant programmes and the national programme of application surgeries.

Bank of Scotland Social Enterprise Awards

A new award has been launched to reward organisations that put social welfare before wealth. Not for profit organisations are invited to apply for these Social Entrepreneur Awards, which comprise substantial monetary rewards and mentoring opportunities. Visit Bank of Scotland Social Enterprise web pages for further details.

Scottish Investment Fund

The Scottish Investment Fund (SIF) is a £30 million fund established by the Scottish Government to expand the role of the social economy in delivering public services. It is targeted at social enterprises which have been trading successfully for at least 3 years and which aim to achieve a step change in their activities. SIF is managed by Social Investment Scotland and further information can be found on the SIF website Scottish Investment Fund or phone 0131 558 7706.

Paths to Health - Funding to Promote Walking

The Paths for All Partnership has funding available to fund new and innovative ways of promoting walking for health. The aim of Paths to Health is to increase the health and well being of inactive people by promoting regular walking within local communities. The funding is available to any organisation, group or partnership within Scotland, which can demonstrate that it is working in the interests of the wider community. Further information, including contact details for local development officers is available from the Paths for All webpages. Paths for All

Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations

This web site is a great example of how your local CVO may be able to provide you with practical and useful help when it comes to resourcing funds. Particularly useful and applicable wherever you are in Scotland, is a series of funding briefings - all available to download from ACVO

Council for Voluntary Services, Fife

CVS Fife provide voluntary, community and charitable organisations with advice, information and practical support helping the voluntary sector to network, and to take part in Community Planning processes. You can access a very good funding database service on their site here.

Voluntary Action Fund - Community Chest

The Community Chest will provide grants of up to £1,000 to help small community groups in Scotland with revenue income of less than £25,000. The aim of the Community Chest is to help build the capacity of groups in Scotland to deliver their activities. Groups receiving a grant will also have the opportunity to attend a number of free workshops covering topics such as charity law, making successful funding applications and managing money. Groups wishing to apply for a Community Chest grant can download the application form and guidance notes from the VAF website. You can also contact Patricia or Chris at the Voluntary Action Fund on 01383 620780 or info@voluntaryactionfund.org.uk

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