Where can I get funding?
This is the question that most groups ask at some time or another. However, there are a large number of sources of funding and it can be very difficult to identify the best opportunities for your project. The situation is also always changing with new funds starting, schemes closing and criteria altering regularly. This guide provides a useful selection of links, signposts and information to help you find your way through the funding maze.
Where do I start?
You should first take a look at the Rural Funding Directory which lists funders under different categories. If you can't find what you need there then the following links and information might help.
Funding comes from four main sources: public; lottery; trusts and European.
- Lottery funding - Search for lottery funding by location, type, funding body or key word.
- Public funding - The Rural Funding Opportunities Guide gives concise information about grant assistance from the Scottish Government, its agencies and bodies.
- Trusts - there are a huge number of trust that provide funding from the well known ones like the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to some very small locally focused ones. This complexity means that often the best way to find a trust funder for your project is to do a search using one of the commercially available databases like Funderfinder, Trustfunding or Grantsnet. Councils for Voluntary Service, SCVO or Local Authorities will often provide free searches to voluntary and community organisations.
- European Funding - In Scotland, Structural Funds are the significant source of European Union funding for economic development. Funds are delivered by HIPP in the Highlands and Islands and ESEP for the Lowlands and Uplands.
Where else can I look for funding information?
There are hundreds of sites out on the web with funding information. We've pulled together some of the best and most useful. However, if you have a favourite site please let us know.
Scotland wide information
SCVO's Information Pages on Raising Money provide guidance on what kind of funds are out there and who is providing them (both well known and less well known) and how to access them as well as some information on activities that enable self-generation of funds (such as trading) and links to best practice in fundraising.
Local information
There are many good sources of online information on funding often produced by Councils of Voluntary Service and Local Authorities. As well as providing a good overview of national funding they may also contain information of funds available locally.
Argyll and the Islands
Ayrshire
Cairngorms
Dumfries and Galloway
East Renfrewshire
Fife
Forth Valley and Lomond
Highland
Kelvin Valley
Orkney Islands
Outer Hebrides
Renfrewshire
Rural Aberdeenshire
Rural Tayside
Scottish Borders
Shetland Islands
Tyne Esk
West Lothian
Who can I ask for help?
- Rural Direct - Rural Direct is a service designed to help rural community organisations to access funding from a range of sources including the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).
- Council of Voluntary Service (CVS) - The CVS Network works with voluntary organisations to help them to become more effective and efficient.
- Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) - SCVO's Rural Information Officer, Sandra Hogg, can provide information on rural funding opportunities. Alternatively, contact SCVO's free Information Service on 0800 1690022.
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise - HIE can help in community land and community energy issues, arts, culture and heritage.
- Local Authorities - Local councils often provide advice and funding voluntary groups. Some have external funding officers who can help you.
Get inspired
You can use the Projects Database and Featured Project pages to get inspiration and ideas for projects and find out where others have got funding or post a question on the Discussion Forum and find out what other communities have done.
Funding events
Use the events calendar to find funding events in your area.
Scotland: National Rural Network
