Skye and Lochalsh CVO staff can help with your fundraising plans. Why not give us a call to discuss your ideas? Visit the Generating Income section of the Community Toolkit.
Below are some ideas for local agencies offering grants and support. There are lots of further funding sources on our Find Funders database.
The Co-operative Membership Community Fund offers grants between £1,000 -£2,000 to unincorporated community/voluntary groups, including self-help groups—with or without charitable status. If your group is incorporated it must also have charitable status to be eligible. Local branches of national charities are also eligible to apply. The core work of not-for-profit social enterprises (such as CICs) is not eligible (although their non-core activity may be considered).
Grant applications for most things will be considered including equipment or event costs, help towards rent or fixtures, sport or computer equipment and help towards running costs. All applications will be required to demonstrate that your project/activity will
If you are a newly formed group (less than three months) or you are unable to provide accounts to support your application, the maximum you can apply for is £500
The application process is only available online. Skye and Lochalsh CVO recommends that you download a copy of the questions to work on first as a draft - the staff are happy to look over this hard copy before you complete the process online. Make sure that you have everything to hand and have thought through your answers before starting the application online process as it will not allow you to save and return to your application. Visit the Co-operative Membership Community Fund website pages
The Highland Council offers a variety of grant assistance including grants from a Discretionary Fund, assistance for village halls; and sports grants. Information about all of these are on the Highland Council website.
Scottish Welfare Fund
Apply for a Welfare Grant
Freephone 0800 083 1887
The Scottish Government have introduced a new national provision called the Scottish Welfare Fund which will be administered by Local Authorities.
The Scottish Welfare Fund is intended to offer grants or in kind support for two purposes:
Crisis Grants - provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency or when there is an immediate threat to health or safety.
Community Care Grants - enable independent living or continued independent living, preventing the need for institutional care.
Who can apply for Crisis and community care grants?
Eligibility for Crisis Grants
Applicants should be aged 16 or over and should normally be entitled to Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Savings Pension Credit, Guaranteed Pension Credit or payment on account of one of them in order to be eligible for a Crisis Grant. There is no qualifying period for receipt of these benefits.
The key test of eligibility for a crisis grant is the severity of the applicant’s situation and the likely impact on them and their family.
Eligibility for Community Care Grants
Applicants must be aged 16 or over and entitled to Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), Savings Pension Credit, Guaranteed Pension Credit, or payment on account of one of them in order to be eligible for a Community Care Grant.
Please click here to connect to The Highland Council's website for more information.
The Community Enterprise Loan Fund is managed by Highland Opportunity Ltd. Loans may be used for any purpose and typical applications are for the purchase of land, buildings or equipment and also for working capital or bridging purposes. More information.
