April Funding Roundup

Welcome to our April funding roundup where we present some relevant opportunities. 

 

SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund: Grants of up to £5,000 are available to groups and organisations across Scotland to deliver a variety of projects and activities that benefit local communities.

Through the SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund, groups can apply for funding for projects that positively impact local communities by addressing the following priorities: Sustainability and the environment; Employability and career skills; Social inclusion; Technology and digital inclusion; Improving the local community.

Applications are considered quarterly, with up to three grants available in each funding round. The first 2025/26 deadline for applications is 30 May 2025. SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund

 

The Scottish Forestry Community Fund supports community groups and organisations that encourage people to use woods more. The Fund directly supports the delivery of Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019-2029 Objectives and Priorities for action.

Constituted community groups, voluntary groups, development trusts, social enterprises, charities and local authorities can apply for grants of up to £1,000 or over £1,000. The funding can be used for the following activities:

• School care clubs and play schemes.
• Schemes that promote physical activity eg walking schemes, safe routes to school, natural play and adventure play.
• Facilitation of volunteering for skills training, health improvement and community development.
• Establishment of volunteer groups and the induction of volunteers.
• Projects promoting Gaelic.
• Providing resources to involve communities in the decision making process of managing their local woodland.
• Developing materials that promote the health and wellbeing benefits of using woodlands.

Funding can support activities on Scotland’s national forests and land. The funding is not suitable for formal education, including forest schools and forest kindergarten. Applications are now open. There are no deadlines. Scottish Forestry - Community Fund

 

Barchester Healthcare Foundation is offering grants of up to £2,500 for small community groups and local charities across England, Scotland, and Wales for projects that help reduce isolation and loneliness, promote group activities, and generally improve mobility and quality of life for older people and adults with physical, learning, or mental disabilities. 

Funding is intended to help small community groups and local charities with the following: Activities; Equipment and materials for use by members; Member transport; Day trips, outings, and group holidays in the UK.

Priority will be given to innovative projects that help older people and those with a disability to get active, meet people, and reduce isolation. 

Funding is for small and local groups, and groups with financial reserves of over £150,000 are unlikely to receive support. Applications can be submitted at any time. Homepage | Barchester Charitable Foundation

 

Community Access to Rooms offers local community groups and organisations the opportunity to use University rooms free-of-charge during evenings and weekends. Find out more here. 

Micro-grant Scheme: Local organisations can apply for a smaller award of up to £500 through their micro-grant scheme. Find out more here.