Deadline: 30-Jul-2026
Foundation Scotland is seeking applications for the Hadyard Hill Community Fund to support charitable initiatives that benefit the Dailly community in South Ayrshire. The fund provides grants for rural regeneration, sustainability, community activities, environmental improvements, local economic development, childcare-related employment opportunities, and stronger community connectedness.
Fund Overview
The Hadyard Hill Community Fund supports projects that directly benefit the community of Dailly in South Ayrshire.
The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland and is financed through community benefit contributions from the Hadyard Hill Wind Farm. It provides approximately £50,000 each year to support local charitable initiatives that advance rural regeneration, sustainability, and community development.
The fund is designed to help community groups and organisations deliver practical projects that strengthen local wellbeing, improve facilities, increase participation, and support the long-term development of Dailly.
Fund Purpose
The purpose of the fund is to support charitable activities that respond to local priorities in Dailly.
The fund prioritises projects aligned with the Dailly Community Action Plan. It supports initiatives that improve community life, strengthen social connections, enhance local spaces, encourage volunteering, and create opportunities for sustainable rural development.
Funding Details
The fund provides approximately £50,000 annually for projects that benefit the Dailly community.
Funding options include:
- Standard grants from £650 to £15,000
- Larger grants of up to £25,000
- Multi-year funding for up to three years
- Exceptional applications above £25,000, following discussion with the fund adviser
- Small grants of up to £650 through Dailly Community Council
Applicants should select the funding route that best matches the scale, urgency, and purpose of their project.
Small Grants Scheme
A separate small grants scheme is available for awards of up to £650.
This scheme is administered directly by Dailly Community Council.
Small grants may be suitable for smaller local activities, community needs, minor equipment purchases, small events, or short-term practical support.
Key Fund Priorities
The fund supports projects that reflect the priorities of the Dailly Community Action Plan.
Key priorities include:
- Strengthening community activities
- Building social connections
- Enhancing environmental spaces
- Improving green spaces
- Supporting local economic development
- Supporting tourism-related opportunities
- Improving childcare-related employment opportunities
- Promoting communication
- Encouraging participation
- Supporting volunteer engagement
- Strengthening community connectedness
- Advancing rural regeneration
- Supporting sustainability
- Improving community facilities
What the Fund Can Support
Grants may be used for a wide range of charitable and community purposes.
Eligible costs may include:
- Equipment purchases
- Operational expenses for community groups
- Staffing costs
- Sessional worker costs
- Community consultations
- Maintenance work
- Refurbishment of community facilities
- Activities that strengthen community participation
- Projects that improve local spaces
- Initiatives that support rural regeneration and sustainability
Applicants should clearly explain how the requested costs will contribute to community benefit in Dailly.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include community groups and organisations that meet the fund’s standard eligibility requirements.
Registration as a charity is not mandatory.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Community groups
- Voluntary organisations
- Local associations
- Charitable organisations
- Social enterprises
- Community-led initiatives
- Organisations delivering charitable activity for the benefit of Dailly residents
Applicants must show that their project directly benefits the Dailly community.
Governance Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate appropriate governance arrangements.
Organisations should have a management committee or board made up of at least three unrelated individuals.
The majority of committee or board members must also be unrelated.
This requirement helps ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible decision-making in funded organisations.
Multi-Year Funding
Multi-year funding may be available for up to three years.
This can support projects that need longer-term planning, staffing, delivery, or phased implementation.
Applicants seeking multi-year support should explain:
- Why the project requires more than one year of funding
- What will be delivered each year
- How the project will be managed over time
- How outcomes will be measured
- How the project will remain sustainable after funding ends
Larger and Exceptional Grants
Larger grants of up to £25,000 may be awarded.
In exceptional cases, applications exceeding £25,000 may also be considered, but applicants should first discuss the proposal with the fund adviser.
This approach allows the fund to consider larger strategic projects that may deliver significant and lasting benefits for the Dailly community.
Urgent Applications
Urgent applications may be considered outside regular funding rounds in specific circumstances.
This option is intended for time-sensitive projects where waiting for the next funding round could affect delivery or community benefit.
Applicants should clearly explain why the request is urgent and why it cannot wait for the normal application cycle.
How Funding Decisions Are Made
Applications are reviewed by the Hadyard Hill Community Fund (Dailly) Advisory Panel.
The Advisory Panel includes local community councillors and volunteer representatives.
This local decision-making structure helps ensure that funding decisions reflect community knowledge, local priorities, and the needs of people living in Dailly.
Why This Fund Matters
Rural communities often need flexible funding to maintain services, improve facilities, support volunteers, strengthen local economies, and respond to changing community needs.
The Hadyard Hill Community Fund matters because it invests wind farm community benefit contributions back into Dailly. It helps local groups deliver projects that support regeneration, sustainability, participation, and stronger community life.
By supporting both small and larger initiatives, the fund enables local people to take practical action on priorities identified through the Dailly Community Action Plan.
How the Fund Works
The fund works by supporting eligible community groups and organisations to deliver charitable projects that benefit Dailly.
The process includes:
- A local group or organisation identifies a community need or opportunity.
- The applicant checks that the project aligns with the Dailly Community Action Plan.
- The applicant selects the appropriate funding route, such as a small grant, standard grant, larger grant, or multi-year request.
- The organisation prepares a clear application with project details, budget, governance information, and expected community benefits.
- Foundation Scotland administers the application process.
- The Hadyard Hill Community Fund (Dailly) Advisory Panel reviews applications.
- Successful applicants receive funding to deliver charitable activities for the benefit of Dailly.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear application that explains the project purpose, local need, expected outcomes, budget, and benefit to the Dailly community.
Application Preparation Steps
- Confirm community benefit
Applicants should show that the project will directly benefit residents of Dailly. - Check alignment with local priorities
The project should connect with the Dailly Community Action Plan and support one or more of the fund’s priority areas. - Choose the correct grant route
Applicants should decide whether they need a small grant, standard grant, larger grant, multi-year funding, or an exceptional grant request. - Prepare governance information
Organisations should confirm that they have a management committee or board with at least three unrelated individuals and a majority of unrelated members. - Describe the project clearly
The application should explain what will be delivered, why it is needed, who will benefit, and how the project will be managed. - Prepare a realistic budget
Applicants should include clear costs for equipment, staffing, sessional workers, maintenance, refurbishment, consultations, or other eligible expenses. - Explain long-term value
The application should show how the project will create lasting benefits for the community. - Highlight community involvement
Applicants should explain how local residents, volunteers, groups, or partners will be involved. - Discuss large or exceptional requests early
Applicants seeking more than £25,000 should discuss the proposal with the fund adviser before applying. - Explain urgency where relevant
Time-sensitive projects should clearly explain why urgent consideration is needed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting applications that do not clearly show local benefit or alignment with Dailly priorities.
Common mistakes include:
- Not demonstrating direct benefit to the Dailly community
- Failing to link the project to the Dailly Community Action Plan
- Providing unclear governance details
- Not meeting the requirement for at least three unrelated committee or board members
- Submitting an unrealistic budget
- Applying for the wrong funding route
- Requesting over £25,000 without first discussing the proposal with the fund adviser
- Not explaining why multi-year funding is needed
- Failing to show community involvement
- Providing weak evidence of need
- Not explaining sustainability or long-term impact
- Submitting an urgent request without clear justification
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be locally grounded, practical, and clearly linked to community priorities.
Applicants should:
- Clearly explain the local need
- Show strong benefit for Dailly residents
- Align the project with the Dailly Community Action Plan
- Include community participation or volunteer involvement
- Provide a clear and realistic budget
- Demonstrate strong governance
- Explain how the project supports rural regeneration or sustainability
- Show how the project strengthens community connections
- Highlight environmental, economic, childcare, tourism, or social benefits where relevant
- Describe how the project will be delivered and managed
- Explain how benefits will continue after the grant period
Key Terms Explained
Hadyard Hill Community Fund
The Hadyard Hill Community Fund is a community benefit fund administered by Foundation Scotland to support charitable initiatives that benefit Dailly in South Ayrshire.
Community Benefit Contributions
Community benefit contributions are funds provided by developments such as wind farms to support local communities affected by or connected to the development area.
Rural Regeneration
Rural regeneration refers to activities that improve the social, economic, environmental, and community wellbeing of rural areas.
Dailly Community Action Plan
The Dailly Community Action Plan identifies local priorities and guides projects that support the community’s future development.
Multi-Year Funding
Multi-year funding provides support over more than one year, helping organisations deliver longer-term projects or phased activities.
Sessional Worker
A sessional worker is someone paid to deliver specific sessions, activities, workshops, or services for a limited period.
Community Connectedness
Community connectedness refers to the relationships, participation, communication, and shared activities that help people feel part of local community life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hadyard Hill Community Fund?
The Hadyard Hill Community Fund supports charitable initiatives that advance rural regeneration, sustainability, and community development in Dailly, South Ayrshire.
Who administers the fund?
The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland.
Where does the funding come from?
The fund is financed through community benefit contributions from the Hadyard Hill Wind Farm.
How much funding is available annually?
Approximately £50,000 is available each year.
What grant amounts are available?
Standard grants range from £650 to £15,000, while larger grants of up to £25,000 may also be awarded.
Can projects receive multi-year funding?
Yes. Multi-year funding for up to three years is available.
Can applications above £25,000 be considered?
Yes. In exceptional cases, applications above £25,000 may be considered after discussion with the fund adviser.
Are small grants available?
Yes. A separate small grants scheme for awards of up to £650 is administered directly by Dailly Community Council.
Do applicants need to be registered charities?
No. Charity registration is not mandatory, but applicants must meet the fund’s standard eligibility and governance requirements.
Who reviews applications?
Applications are reviewed by the Hadyard Hill Community Fund (Dailly) Advisory Panel, which includes local community councillors and volunteer representatives.
Conclusion
The Hadyard Hill Community Fund supports community-led charitable projects that strengthen rural regeneration, sustainability, and community development in Dailly. Through grants for equipment, staffing, community activities, consultations, maintenance, facility refurbishment, and longer-term initiatives, the fund helps local groups turn community priorities into practical action that improves social connection, local opportunity, environmental quality, and long-term resilience.
For more information, visit Foundation Scotland.
