Deadline: 18-Sep-25
The Foundation Scotland is now accepting applications for its Blackridge Community Fund to support community projects benefiting those living in the Blackridge community council area.
The fund is a vehicle through which several different funds are administered, including those provided by:
- Gresham House, the owners of Torrance Wind Farm.
- Netro Energy, the owners of Harthill Wind Ltd (Torrance Extension Wind Farm).
- EDF Renewables, the owners of the Burnhead Moss Wind Farm.
Purpose
- The fund provides grants to support charitable activities that:
- Enhance the quality of life for local residents.
- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities.
- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
Funding Information
- An annual amount of £46,000, inflation-adjusted, will be paid into the fund each year for the wind farms’ operating life.
- Grant size typically available: £500 – £5,000
Eligibility Criteria
- If you can demonstrate why you need a grant amount that is higher than the maximum stated above and that there is significant community support for the project you propose, then the fund may be able to consider your request.
- Applicants may request support for recurring costs over three years. In these circumstances, the maximum award level is £10,000.
- Groups and organizations working to benefit people in Blackridge can apply.
- Applications from groups/organizations located or headquartered outside Blackridge will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must demonstrate both a clear benefit for residents within Blackridge, and proof of meaningful local consultation about, and support for, the proposed project. This should ideally include survey results and/or letters of support from relevant partner agencies. Requests for funding for time-limited activities that leave no lasting legacy or capacity to sustain the activities in Blackridge will not be looked upon favorably. Any applications for funding towards such new or pilot projects should have a sustainability plan outlined in the application form, which explains how a legacy of organizational capacity will be created within the community to sustain activities, rather than being reliant on the applying organization to continue delivering them, and evidence of initial steps towards this. This could for example include plans to encourage local volunteers to help sustain organization and delivery of activities, examples of volunteer involvement to date and/or initial evidence of resident appetite to become involved in this. Sustainability plans should also demonstrate how future activity will not be wholly reliant on recurring funding from the Blackridge Community Fund.
- Foundation Scotland and the Panel recognize that some community activity is organized by more informal groups (i.e. without formal governance arrangements such as a constitution in place). Groups can consider working in partnership with other local groups to make an application in this scenario, but evidence of both partys agreements to this will be sought.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Non constituted groups.
- Applications from individuals. However, individuals may be able to apply for funding under any micro-grant scheme associated with a fund, or under some education and training funds.
- General fundraising appeals or activities.
- Trips abroad (unless otherwise stated on the fund page).
- Costs already incurred or activities which will take place before theyve decided on an application, i.e. retrospective funding.
- The repayment of loans or payment of debts.
- The advancement of religion or politics, including requests to support religious or political groups’ core activities. However, religious groups may apply for funding for non-religious activity that will benefit the wider community beyond their own specific congregation and is open to all on a non-denominational basis. For example, a church may apply for funding to upgrade a church hall that is regularly used by other community groups.
- Payments towards areas understood to be the exclusive responsibility of statutory authorities. However, they can provide grants to Parent Teacher Associations/Parent Councils if they are appropriately constituted and occasionally to schools where the activity being delivered is additional to the core curriculum/statutory activity.
- Activities that are likely to bring the fund, Foundation Scotland or the donor into disrepute. For example, they cant fund groups or organizations using hate speech or inciting violence, or those linked to such groups or organizations.
- Activities that conflict with the interests of the funder. For example, where a renewable energy company provides funding, they cant fund any projects or organizations that are anti-windfarm or anti-renewable energy as such activities are likely to be contrary to the interests of the funder or its subsidiaries.
- For place-based funds, they cant support projects which don’t benefit the people who live within the defined fund area. Projects that benefit people in the fund area plus others outside that area can be supported on a proportionate basis. Applicants to these funds dont need to be based in the fund area.
- For themed/cause-related funds they cant support projects which dont relate to the priorities stated for the fund.
- Costs directly related to the sale of alcohol, including but not limited to the refurbishment of a bar area.
- Campaigning activities that are contrary to the interests or reputation of Foundation Scotland or any of its donors, or may bring them into disrepute.
For more information, visit Foundation Scotland.