ScottishPower Foundation’s Annual Grants Fund 2027 (United Kingdom)

The ScottishPower Foundation Annual Grants Fund 2027 provides grants of £50,000 to £100,000 to UK-registered charities delivering projects that generate lasting social and environmental impact. Funding is available across five strategic themes—Education, Training and Research; Biodiversity and Environment; Art and Culture; Social Action; and New Technologies—with all projects required to contribute to at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

ScottishPower Foundation Annual Grants Fund 2027: Grants of £50,000–£100,000 for UK Charities

The ScottishPower Foundation Annual Grants Fund 2027 is now accepting applications from eligible charitable organisations across the United Kingdom. The fund supports projects that improve communities, protect the environment, promote inclusion, and expand opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in line with the Foundation’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029.

The programme provides project-based funding to charities delivering measurable social and environmental outcomes. Successful projects must align with one of the Foundation’s five priority themes while contributing to at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Funding Priorities

Projects must fall under one of the following focus areas:

• Education, Training and Research
  • Improve access to education and training.
  • Increase STEM learning opportunities.
  • Strengthen employability.
  • Support disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.
• Biodiversity and Environment
  • Promote environmental awareness.
  • Encourage sustainable practices and waste reduction.
  • Protect natural habitats.
  • Conserve wildlife and biodiversity.
• Art and Culture
  • Preserve cultural heritage.
  • Improve access to arts and cultural experiences.
  • Increase participation among disadvantaged communities.
• Social Action
  • Reduce poverty and social exclusion.
  • Support households experiencing financial hardship.
  • Improve inclusion for people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, and older adults.
• New Technologies
  • Reduce digital exclusion.
  • Improve digital inclusion.
  • Enable disadvantaged groups to use technology for learning, creativity, and participation.

All funded projects must contribute to at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

Grant Amount

Successful applicants may request grants ranging from:

• £50,000 to £100,000

Funding is available only for specific projects and not for unrestricted organisational expenditure.

The requested grant:

• Must not exceed 50% of the organisation’s most recent annual income.
• Supports projects lasting up to 12 months.
• Covers one year of funding only.

The Foundation also supports Full Cost Recovery, allowing applicants to include:

• Direct project expenses.
• A proportionate share of organisational overheads required to deliver the project.

Eligible Projects

The fund supports projects that:

• Deliver measurable social or environmental impact.
• Align with one of the Foundation’s strategic themes.
• Contribute to at least one SDG.
• Begin between 31 March 2027 and 31 December 2027.
• Are completed within 12 months.

Where applicable, eligible projects may also include approved building or land development activities under the Art and Culture or Biodiversity and Environment categories, provided all required permissions have been secured before applying.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be registered with a UK Charity Regulator.
• Have been registered for at least two full years.
• Have an active governing board with at least three unrelated and independent trustees.
• Have published at least one full year of annual accounts covering a 12-month operating period.
• Report annual income of more than £100,000 and no more than £5 million.
• Maintain policies that prevent discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
• Comply with UK employment and equality legislation.

Where organisations work with children or vulnerable adults, they must also:

• Have a written safeguarding policy.
• Ensure the safeguarding policy has been reviewed by the Board of Trustees within the previous two years.

Ineligible Activities

Funding is not available for:

• Unrestricted organisational operating costs.
• Grants passed to individuals or other organisations.
• Fundraising activities.
• Projects delivered outside the United Kingdom.
• NHS medical care or clinical treatment.
• Medical research.
• Projects promoting political or religious beliefs.
• Building work under the Education, Training and Research, Social Action, or New Technologies categories.
• Land development outside eligible funding themes.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• Articles of Association.
• Most recently published annual accounts.
• Safeguarding policy (where applicable).
• Letter from the CEO or Chair of Trustees confirming safeguarding policy review within the previous two years.
• Planning permissions or statutory approvals for eligible building or land development projects.

Why This Grant Matters

Charitable organisations often require significant investment to deliver projects with lasting community and environmental benefits. The ScottishPower Foundation Annual Grants Fund enables charities to expand their impact through substantial project funding while supporting innovation, sustainability, inclusion, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, digital inclusion, and improved educational opportunities.

By aligning projects with the Sustainable Development Goals, the programme contributes to long-term social and environmental progress across the United Kingdom.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare a strong application:

1. Confirm that your organisation meets all eligibility requirements.
2. Identify the Foundation priority area that best matches your proposed project.
3. Ensure the project contributes to at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.
4. Develop a detailed project plan and realistic budget.
5. Calculate the requested funding to ensure it does not exceed 50% of your organisation’s annual income.
6. Gather all required supporting documents.
7. Obtain any required planning permissions or statutory approvals where applicable.
8. Submit the completed application before the published deadline.

Application Tips

To strengthen your application:

• Clearly demonstrate measurable community or environmental impact.
• Explain how the project aligns with one of the five funding themes.
• Identify the relevant Sustainable Development Goal(s).
• Include realistic timelines and achievable outcomes.
• Present a transparent and well-justified budget.
• Demonstrate organisational capacity to deliver the project successfully.
• Ensure safeguarding and governance documentation is current.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following:

• Requesting unrestricted operational funding.
• Applying for projects outside the UK.
• Exceeding the 50% income funding limit.
• Omitting required supporting documents.
• Applying without required planning permissions.
• Failing to demonstrate alignment with Foundation priorities or SDGs.
• Submitting incomplete safeguarding documentation where required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much funding is available?

Eligible charities can request grants between £50,000 and £100,000.

Who can apply?

UK-registered charities that have been registered for at least two years, meet the income requirements, and satisfy the Foundation’s governance criteria.

Can funding be used for operational costs?

The programme funds specific projects rather than unrestricted organisational expenses. However, proportionate organisational overheads may be included through Full Cost Recovery.

What project themes are supported?

Education, Training and Research; Biodiversity and Environment; Art and Culture; Social Action; and New Technologies.

Do projects need to support the Sustainable Development Goals?

Yes. Every funded project must contribute to at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

Can organisations apply more than once?

Yes. Organisations may submit multiple applications over time, although the same project cannot receive funding for more than two years.

What documents are required?

Applicants must provide governing documents, annual accounts, safeguarding documentation where applicable, and planning approvals for eligible construction or land development projects.

Conclusion

The ScottishPower Foundation Annual Grants Fund 2027 offers significant project funding for UK charities working to improve communities and the environment. With grants of £50,000 to £100,000, support for Full Cost Recovery, and a strong emphasis on measurable impact and sustainability, the programme provides an excellent opportunity for organisations delivering innovative projects that align with the Foundation’s strategic priorities and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.