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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.

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.

The ORIT Cumberhead Community Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in the Community Council areas of Coalburn and Lesmahagow. The Fund is provided by Cumberhead Wind Energy Limited, the company which owns and operates the Cumberhead Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire, under the auspices of Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (ORIT).The Fund provides grants to support charitable activities that benefit the residents of the Coalburn and/or Lesmahagow areas; anything which enhances the economic, social or environmental sustainability of these communities. Most of all, the Fund aims to ensure that successful applications are translated into real projects that make a material difference and deliver a lasting legacy. The Fund is keen to encourage environmentally responsible and sustainable practice amongst applicant groups and within communities.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. Grants must normally be spent within one year of being awarded

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.

The Kinross-shire Fund supports community groups and organisations within the 73 square miles of Kinross-shire, and is dedicated to helping make Kinross-shire a better place to live. Funds are raised from individuals, companies and groups which are then used to make grants to local projects and voluntary organisations making a real difference to life in Kinross-shire. The Kinross-shire Fund aims to support activities that will develop the vibrant life of the Kinross-shire community and ensure the area is an attractive place to live, work, and visit.Applications must contribute to at least one of the following themes:- Community events- Community information- Community transport- Community welfare or healthcare support- Physical amenities- Recreational facilities- Support for the care of older people- Support for existing voluntary organisations. Priority will be given to funding applications which:- strengthen existing local organisations by helping them to purchase equipment and resources- improve or develop local community facilities- encourage community activity and promote community spirit- support services for the elderly and persons with a disability- improve information about local community issuesHigher priority will be given to capital projects which make a lasting difference. Grants must be spent within one year of the award.

The Council has a number of settlement trusts which support projects under a wide range of categories including education, arts, local communities and the environment.Check the website for a full list of trusts and for contact details for each.You can apply for funding from a Settlement Trust if it falls under the following categories:- Prevention of Poverty- Advancement of Education- Advancement of Religion- Saving of Lives-Advancement of Citizenship- Advancement of Arts- Advancement of Public Participation in Sport- Provision of Recreational Facilities- Advancement of Human Rights- Promotion of religious or racial harmony- Promotion of Equality- Advancement of Environmental Protection- Relief of Those In Need- Advancement of Animal Welfare- Analogous Purposes- Advancement of Health

Funds projects and initiatives that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the Solwaybank Windfarm area and enhance the lives of those living and working in the area.Applications are welcomed that fall into the following categories:- Enhance the quality of life for local residents- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities- Promote community spirit and encourage community activityPriority will be given to projects which can demonstrate:- Local consultation – evidence that the local community has been consulted and is supportive of the project- Strategic projects – with longer term impacts and benefits- Partnership working – working with other organisations (e.g. voluntary, local, regional or national) to add value to a project- Local procurement – using local suppliers and providers for goods and services, where possible.- Environmental considerations – consideration of the project’s carbon footprint and minimising the environmental impactMatch funding of at least 10% of the project cost will normally be required, but projects with more match funding to add to the value of the project and maximise the Community Benefit funding are preferred.

Large 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.