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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 

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.

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.

The A’Chruach Wind Farm Community Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in one or more of the following community council areas: West Loch Fyne, Dunadd and Lochgilphead. The fund is provided by Nadara, the developer and owner of the A’Chruach Wind Farm in Argyll & Bute. Applications are expected to address one or more of the following outcomes (or changes for the community):- Advance rural regeneration though increasing opportunities for enterprise and vocational training. - Enhance infrastructure including affordable housing, transport, broadband, community-owned property and access routes. - Establish new community services and seek to improve or expand existing services, particularly with regard to young people and the elderly. - Develop and improve community facilities. - Enhance leisure facilities and to develop and expand tourism and leisure opportunities. - Capacity building for new and existing community organisations to help achieve the other priorities.Under the Multi Year Flexible Funding schemes, applications are invited for strategic multi-year grants for up to three years. This funding is flexible and can be spent by organisations on broad areas of activity, including costs that are traditionally hard to raise funding for such as staff costs and organisation overheads.

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.

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.

This fund supports charitable activity benefiting people living in the community council areas of Benarty, Cardenden and Kinglassie in Fife.The fund provides grants to support charitable activities that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents.- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities.- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.Grant may support a wide range of costs, e.g. equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional workers, consultations and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.Different criteria and amounts apply for each fund. See the area-specific pages on the Foundation Scotland website.

Community organisations and charities based in the Edinburgh region can apply for small grants through University of Edinburgh's micro-grant scheme for small scale community activities and local action.They welcome applications for projects which could have positive social impact for people living in the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Scottish Borders and/or Fife by contributing to one or more of these United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):  - No Poverty - Good Health and Wellbeing - Quality Education- Decent Work and Economic Growth - Reduced Inequalities - Sustainable Cities and Communities

The Scottish Government’s Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (PB) Fund is back for a fifth year, giving communities across the North East and Moray a leading role in the journey to net zero.The Fund supports bold, community-led ideas that make a real difference. Community groups and third sector organisations across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray can apply for grants to deliver an eco-friendly project in their area.From installing solar panels and battery storage to introducing electric vehicles, improving energy efficiency in community buildings and protecting local environments, the Fund backs practical capital projects that reflect what matters most to local people. Residents will once again have the final say, voting for the projects they want to see funded.Delivered by ACVO TSI, AVA, tsiMORAY, NESCAN Hub and Money for Moray, the Fund brings partners together once again to support communities across the region. They will be engaging with communities to help you take part in the transition to net zero, sharing ideas and providing project development support and application assistance.Get involved, share your ideas, and help shape a greener future for the North East of Scotland.Bids need to demonstrate that projects are able to receive, and spend the total amount of the funding bid in the 2026 to 2027 financial year. Multi-year bids can be made, and may be considered, if capital funding for the Fund becomes available beyond 2026 to 2027. Additional weighting will be given to bids that would be delivered on a co-funded basis. Previous projects have included energy measures and retrofitting, green jobs, community gardens and food growing, sustainable travel, and creating and restoring greenspaces. More examples of projects funded through the first round can be found on the Fund website.

Local Community Groups are able to apply for funding to support the group and to develop a new or ongoing project in partnership with their local store. Successful applicants will receive an initial grant and begin a partnership with their local One Stop store.This programme is designed to support community groups or organisations operating within two miles of a One Stop store and which are;- Tackling food poverty- Supporting the vulnerable- Supporting the elderly- Supporting low-income families- Supporting local sports teams- Improving the local environment- Reducing waste in the communityIn addition to a grant, tailored support from the store teams will help community causes to increase or improve their service by assisting in areas such as but not limited to; volunteering support, fundraising and awareness-raising.