Funding Information

Money for Life Challenge

Organisations working with young people aged 16-24 can apply to the Money for Life Challenge, a national competition to encourage young people to improve their money management skills. Grants of £500 are awarded to teams of young people in community organisations enabling them to run a money management activity. Deadline is Fri 21 Nov. See the Money for Life website.

Charities (with income under £200,000) to be exempt from water charges.

The Scottish Government have announced that the charity groups earning under £200,000 will be exempt from water and sewerage charges. It means over 19,000 of Scotland’s 23,500 will qualify. Visit http://community-toolkit.org.uk/Managin-and-Developing-your-group/Charities-with-income-under-200k-to-be-exempt-from-water-charges.htm

 Awards for All

The grants programme is open again to applications from voluntary groups in Scotland to carry out projects that improve their local community. The small grants programme, administered by the Big Lottery Fund in partnership with Sportscotland has reopened following a 3 month break focusing on grants related to the Commonwealth Games.

There are some changes to the programme which include:

·         A renewed focus on funding smaller organisations with an annual turnover of less than £250,000.

·         Priority for projects where the beneficiaries are mainly BME, disabled, LGBT, older or carers.

·         Priority for organisations that have not received funding from Awards for All Scotland in the previous three years.

·         A new application form that includes guidance notes and will take less time to complete.

There are no deadlines and applications may be submitted at any time. Full details can be found on the Big Lottery Fund website.

Scottish Government:  Climate Challenge Fund

Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced that the next deadline for draft applications to the Climate Challenge Fund (for funding of £30,000 and over) is the 1st December 2014, though they highly recommend that you submit an expression of interest by the 31st October. Through the Climate Challenge Fund, Communities across Scotland can apply for grants of up to £150,000 per year to help reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient.

Voluntary Action Fund: Community Grant Programme

Voluntary Action Fund's Community Grant Programme offers grants of up to £1,000 to local groups with annual incomes under £25,000. Funding can be spent on activities or operational costs. VAF is particularly keen to fund project development, such as training, visits to other projects or consultancy support. Application forms are available online. Closing date is Fri 14 Nov.

Mickel Fund

The Mickel Fund supports a broad range of charities and individuals working in different fields providing direct service delivery to people in Scotland. For example the advancement of education, the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those otherwise in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, the advancement of health, the advancement of the arts and the advancement of public participation in sports. One off and annual grants available as well as value engineering support. Visit www.mickelfund.org.uk for information. Applications accepted at any time.