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Grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms area) and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.   There are two types of grants available:Capital grants for new projects to support expenditure on assets which will last longer than one year, for expenditure such as:- The purchase of equipment over £6,000- Improvement to buildings and property- Construction of paths- Retrofit upgrades to propertiesRevenue grants to support new projects, which are not capital and not part of the core running costs of the organisation, such as:- Feasibility studies- Alleviation of poverty measures- Access to services- Supporting children to gain new skillsApplications will be assessed and approved by the Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG), a cross-sector partnership which represents rural communities throughout Aberdeenshire.Grants will be targeted towards capital expenditure which can be delivered before 28th February 2027 and supports one or more of the following priorities:- An inclusive and connected Aberdeenshire – Enabling better connections within and across rural Aberdeenshire Communities - Accountable and Fair Aberdeenshire – Ensuring no one community is left behind or exposed to the devastating effects of inequality and poverty. - Sustainability of Places and Planet - Achieving a just transition to net zero through reducing emissions and regenerating the local environment 

The Aviva Foundation's Communities Fund will support organisations and projects that focus on either: - Financial wellbeing - helping people feel more secure and in control of their money. This could include budgeting support, debt advice, financial education, or money management. - Climate action - helping communities prevent, prepare for, and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. This might involve restoring nature, improving access to green spaces, or providing education and skills for a sustainable future. Funding depends on how your mission aligns with their focus areas: - If your core mission is aligned with either financial wellbeing or climate action, you can apply for core running costs. - If your core mission is not directly aligned, but you’re planning a project that clearly addresses one of these areas and connects meaningfully to your wider work, you can apply for project-specific funding.

Social Business Trust's mission is to support high growth potential social enterprises to scale-up their impact. They do that by investing cash grants and professional support from seven partner organisations in a carefully selected portfolio of social enterprises.

Through the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Community Led Local Development Fund (the CLLD Fund), grants are available for eligible applicants based in defined Kelvin Valley and Falkirk communities for 2026/27. Communities include: Airth, Avonbridge, Baldernock, Banknock, Banton, Bonnybridge, Colzium, Croy, Denny, Dennyloanhead, Dunipace, Fankerton, Kinneil, Kirkintilloch (north of the Canal only), Lennoxtown, Milton of Campsie, Queenzieburn, Shieldhill, Slamannan, Torrance, Twechar, Waterside, and Whitecross.The Fund will once more be overseen by the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Local Action Group (LAG) and administered by CVS Falkirk & District as the Accountable Body. Funded activity should take place by Sunday 28 February 2027, with final reports submitted to CVS Falkirk & District by Sunday 14 March 2027.The fund will focus on four key priorities:- Supporting community facilities and eligible organisations to contribute to the achievement of net zero- Sustaining, improving, and adding initiatives in rural communities that are the most isolated, disconnected, in need of investment, or likely to experience inequalities- Helping communities to address the cost-of-living crisis and eradicate poverty for individuals and families- Enabling communities to carry out research, engagement, feasibility studies, or other activities supporting the development of rural communities

Small Grants focuses on work that addresses the impacts of poverty and trauma under one or more of the following themes:- Financial Security- Education Pathways- Work Pathways- Nurturing RelationshipsThey seek to fund work that: meets people's immediate needs, provides earlier help, tests new approaches or does more of what work, and is universal or targeted. See website for details of target groups.

Muirden Energy is committed to ensuring their renewable energy projects bring lasting value to the communities in which they are developed. They work closely with local residents and stakeholders to deliver tailored community benefit packages that support local priorities—whether through funding for local initiatives, support for schools and community groups, or investment in environmental and recreational projects. Their goal is to foster long-term partnerships that contribute positively to local well-being and sustainability.They welcome applications for projects that support community development, environmental initiatives, education, wellbeing, heritage, or recreational activities. Projects must demonstrate a positive and lasting local impact.They currently asset manage over 30 wind turbine sites across the Scotland, with a strong focus in Aberdeenshire. See website for locations: your group must be located within a 10-mile radius of one of their turbines to apply.

Argyll and Bute Council is responsible for the administration of 4 active Common Good Funds: Oban, Campbeltown, Rothesay, and Dunoon.Whilst custom and practice have in effect established certain principles in each case and particularly in unusual cases, the Members of the Fund must consider whether or not it is a " reasonable judgement" for them to consider making an award from the relevant Common Good Fund. Using a "reasonable judgement" for the "benefit of the Community" could for example include expenditure on:- Maintenance of public parks where they form part of the Common Good- Donations to local philanthropic institutions- Erection of memorial or ornamental statues and meeting the costs of maintenance- Street decorations within the fund area.- Applications from individuals or groups where the granting of the application would provide a good to the community at large- The reserve generated from the Funds can in part be used to maintain common good land and buildings held as assetsThe activities below are examples of what could be considered for common good funding:- School/youth exchanges within the area- Voluntary work overseas- Attendance at summer schools/events- Excursions/Parties (up to 2 per year per group)- Visits by and from School/Youth/Sport/Music groupsThe council also administers a number of Bequest Funds, which people who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for.

The Community Benefit Grant supports simple, practical ideas that benefit the local community. It is designed to make funding accessible for small activities, events, equipment or local initiatives that bring people together or improve community life. They particularly welcome activities that bring people together, improve wellbeing, support learning, celebrate local culture or heritage, care for the environment, or help people feel more connected in their community.Projects might include community events, wellbeing or learning activities, environmental or heritage work, or small pieces of equipment that enable local activity.They can support a wide range of community-benefit activity, including community events and activities, learning and wellbeing projects, environmental or heritage work, equipment and materials, and community responses to disruption such as storms or service interruptions. They can also consider modest, essential costs where they are clearly linked to making the activity possible, such as venue hire, insurance, transport, volunteer mileage, or basic administration linked to delivery. Activities must be completed within 12 months.

The South Kyle Wind Farm Community Benefit is providing assured income to the communities of Dalmellington, Patna and New Cumnock in East Ayrshire and Carsphairn in Dumfries & Galloway. The Fund’s outcomes are:- Improved and enhanced built and natural environment (housing, buildings, public spaces, the natural environment).- Increased leisure and tourism opportunities. - Improved infrastructure and connectivity (digital, physical, social, getting around). - An improving economy with inclusive and accessible opportunities for training, employment and enterprise.Improved opportunities for children and young people living hereUnderpinning these outcomes are four objectives that will can help maximise the social, economic and environmental benefit being achieved:- Promoting participation & equality- Supporting the communities to become more climate smart- Building community infrastructure- Building community wealth

The fund provides grants that preserve and develop the area of Larbert, Stenhousemuir & Torwood as a great, friendly place to live, supporting activity that improves the look and feel of the area, brings people together and enhances the community for future generations. The fund’s priorities are to support charitable activity that:- Improves the physical appearance of the community (including the town centre) and makes better use of our public spaces;- Develops community services, events and facilities to better meet the diverse needs of local people; - Preserves and enhances the natural environment for the benefit of those who live in the area;- Builds the skills, capacity and sustainability of community organisations serving the area.Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example, the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.The Panel is particularly keen to receive applications from:- Groups that haven’t applied to the fund before;- Groups that are providing services or activity that benefits the elderly;- Groups that are planning projects which will increase provision currently available;- Groups planning activity that will increase participation in community activity.Applicants are also required to consider some cross-cutting issues appropriately and proportionately relative to their project; see fund website for full details.