Deadline: 07-Jul-2026
Foundation Scotland is inviting applications for the Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund to support charitable activities that benefit residents in the eligible fund communities. The fund supports projects that improve quality of life, strengthen community spirit, promote well-being, and help build vibrant and sustainable local communities.
Program Overview
The Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund supports groups and organisations delivering charitable activities within the fund area. The fund is managed by Foundation Scotland and is designed to benefit communities connected to the Clyde Windfarm area.
The fund can support a wide range of local projects, including community activities, facility improvements, running costs, equipment purchases, consultations, and staffing or sessional worker costs.
Fund Providers
The fund is provided by SSE, Greencoat UK Wind Plc, and GLIL Corporate Holdings Ltd through Clyde Windfarm (Scotland) Ltd.
Established in 2012, the fund receives an annual contribution that is distributed among twelve eligible communities. Each community receives a share of the available funding, although the amount available for new grants may vary depending on existing commitments in each area.
Funding Objectives
The fund aims to support charitable activities that directly benefit local residents and strengthen community life.
Key objectives include:
- Enhancing quality of life for people in the fund area
- Promoting health, well-being, and community benefit
- Encouraging community spirit and bringing people together
- Supporting vibrant, active, and sustainable communities
- Helping local groups deliver practical projects and services
- Improving or maintaining community facilities
- Supporting activities that respond to local needs
Grant Categories
The Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund offers different grant levels depending on the size and scope of the project.
Grant categories include:
- Small grants of up to £5,000
- Standard grants from £5,001 to £12,000
- Large grants exceeding £12,001
Eligible organisations may apply for more than one grant in a year. Multi-year funding may also be considered, typically for projects lasting up to three years.
What the Fund Can Support
Funding can be used for a broad range of charitable activities and local project costs.
Supported costs may include:
- Equipment purchases
- Running costs for local groups
- Staff costs
- Sessional worker costs
- Community consultations
- Maintenance of community facilities
- Refurbishment of community facilities
- Activities that bring people together
- Projects that improve well-being and quality of life
- Services or activities that benefit residents in the eligible communities
Who Is Eligible?
The fund is open to groups and organisations working to benefit people in the eligible fund communities.
Applicants do not need to be registered charities, provided they meet the standard eligibility requirements and can demonstrate clear charitable purpose and local benefit.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Community groups
- Local voluntary organisations
- Charitable organisations
- Not-for-profit groups
- Organisations delivering projects for the benefit of residents in the fund area
- Organisations based outside the fund area, if they can clearly show local community benefit
Geographic Eligibility
Applications must show clear benefits for residents in at least one of the twelve eligible fund communities.
Projects that benefit more than one community may also be considered. In such cases, applicants should estimate the number of beneficiaries in each community area.
Organisations located outside the fund area may apply if they can clearly demonstrate how their project will benefit residents within the eligible communities. They must also provide evidence of consultation with the relevant community councils.
Micro-Grants
Individuals or groups seeking up to £500 for charitable activities may be eligible to apply for a micro-grant.
Micro-grants are usually accessed through the local community council or equivalent body. These smaller grants are intended to support local charitable activities that may not require a full application to the main fund.
How Funding Decisions Are Made
Funding decisions are made through a community-led process.
A community panel made up of representatives from the twelve participating communities reviews applications and makes recommendations on grant awards. The panel meets twice each year to assess applications.
This approach helps ensure that funding decisions reflect local priorities, community needs, and the expected benefit for residents.
Why This Fund Matters
The Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund helps local groups access financial support for practical projects that improve everyday life in rural and community settings.
The fund is important because it supports local ownership, community participation, and sustainable development. It enables communities to maintain shared spaces, run local activities, strengthen social connections, and respond to local challenges.
By supporting both small and larger projects, the fund helps community groups of different sizes access resources that can make a visible difference for residents.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the project, the community need, the expected benefits, and the people who will benefit.
Step-by-Step Application Guidance
- Check community eligibility
Confirm that the project will benefit residents in at least one of the twelve eligible fund communities. - Choose the right grant category
Decide whether the project requires a small grant, standard grant, large grant, or micro-grant. - Define the project purpose
Clearly explain what the project will do, why it is needed, and how it will support local charitable activity. - Show community benefit
Demonstrate how the project will enhance quality of life, promote well-being, bring people together, or support sustainable community development. - Estimate beneficiaries
Identify the number of people expected to benefit. If the project covers multiple communities, estimate beneficiaries in each area. - Prepare a realistic budget
Include clear costs for equipment, running costs, staff, sessional workers, consultations, facility maintenance, refurbishment, or other eligible expenses. - Provide consultation evidence if required
Organisations based outside the fund area should provide evidence of consultation with the relevant community councils. - Submit the application for panel review
Applications are reviewed by the community panel, which meets twice each year to make funding recommendations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting unclear or incomplete applications.
Common mistakes include:
- Not showing clear benefit for residents in the fund area
- Failing to identify which eligible community or communities will benefit
- Providing a weak explanation of local need
- Submitting a budget that does not match the proposed activities
- Applying for the wrong grant category
- Not estimating beneficiaries for multi-community projects
- Failing to provide community council consultation evidence when applying from outside the fund area
- Describing general organisational needs without explaining the specific community benefit
- Assuming charity registration is required, instead of checking the fund’s standard eligibility requirements
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be practical, locally grounded, and easy for the panel to assess.
Applicants should:
- Clearly explain the project in simple language
- Link the project to quality of life, well-being, community spirit, or sustainability
- Show strong local benefit
- Provide evidence of community need or support
- Include realistic costs
- Explain who will benefit and how
- Demonstrate consultation with local communities where relevant
- Make the project outcomes clear and measurable
- Apply under the most suitable grant category
Key Terms Explained
Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund
The Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund is a community benefit fund managed by Foundation Scotland. It supports charitable activities that benefit residents in eligible communities linked to the Clyde Windfarm area.
Community Benefit
Community benefit means that a project provides clear, positive outcomes for local residents. This may include improved facilities, stronger community connections, better well-being, or increased access to services and activities.
Fund Area
The fund area refers to the twelve eligible communities that receive support through the annual contribution from the Clyde Windfarm community benefit fund.
Multi-Year Funding
Multi-year funding means financial support that may continue over more than one year. Under this fund, multi-year support may typically be considered for projects lasting up to three years.
Micro-Grant
A micro-grant is a small grant of up to £500 for charitable activities. It is usually accessed through the local community council or equivalent body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund?
The Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund is a Foundation Scotland fund that supports charitable activities benefiting residents in eligible communities within the Clyde Windfarm fund area.
Who provides the fund?
The fund is provided by SSE, Greencoat UK Wind Plc, and GLIL Corporate Holdings Ltd through Clyde Windfarm (Scotland) Ltd.
What is the purpose of the fund?
The fund aims to enhance quality of life, promote well-being, strengthen community spirit, bring people together, and support vibrant and sustainable communities.
How much funding is available per grant?
Small grants are available up to £5,000. Standard grants range from £5,001 to £12,000. Large grants are available for requests exceeding £12,001.
Can organisations apply for more than one grant?
Yes. Eligible organisations may apply for more than one grant each year.
Is multi-year funding available?
Yes. Multi-year funding may be considered for projects, typically for periods of up to three years.
Do applicants need to be registered charities?
No. Applicants are not required to be registered charities, provided they meet the standard eligibility requirements and can demonstrate charitable benefit.
Can organisations outside the fund area apply?
Yes. Organisations based outside the fund area may apply if they can clearly demonstrate benefits for local residents and provide evidence of consultation with the relevant community councils.
How are funding decisions made?
Applications are reviewed by a community panel made up of representatives from the twelve participating communities. The panel meets twice annually and makes recommendations on grant awards.
Are micro-grants available?
Yes. Individuals or groups seeking up to £500 for charitable activities may be eligible to apply for a micro-grant through their local community council or equivalent body.
Conclusion
The Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund provides valuable support for local charitable activities that strengthen community life and improve resident well-being. By offering small, standard, large, and micro-grant options, the fund helps groups and organisations deliver practical projects that benefit eligible communities, support local priorities, and contribute to vibrant and sustainable community development.
For more information, visit Foundation Scotland.
