NEW START
Firstport offers a range of funds to help turn ideas into reality. In partnership with Scotland UnLtd they run a joint awards programme to provide funds to start ups focused on delivering real social or environmental benefits to people and communities. Moray is one of their priority areas! Check out webside (link below) and call them for a chat if you have a great idea and meet their guidelines!
AWARDS FOR ALL for new start, expansion or growth. Small lottery grant with an easy application procedure.
http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/scotland/
GENERAL
BIG LOTTERY FUND: Use their fund finder tool to identify the most suitable funding programme for your project. New start, feasibility studies, growth, expansion and many more options available. Read guidelines first, then call for advice or support. They are very helpful!
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/index/funding-uk
The Scotland Funders’ Forum is a gathering of funders in Scotland, including statutory bodies and independent grant making trusts, who are committed to best practice in funding the voluntary and community sector and to maximising the impact of funding for the benefit of Scotland.
http://scotlandfundersforum.org.uk/
Turn2us - is part of Elizabeth Finn Care
Turn2us is a charitable service which helps people access the money available to them through welfare benefits, grants and other help. The free, accessible website has been designed to help you find appropriate sources of financial support, quickly and easily, based on your particular needs and circumstances.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/default.aspx
Funding Central: A guide to over 4000 sources of funding, loans and contracts.
FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY DRIVEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Coastal Communities Fund
This fund recently launched. Moray organisations are eligible to apply for part of the £1.85m pot going to ‘Highlands & Islands’
Projects must focus on economic development/job creation for coastal communities. Charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises (amongst others) are eligible to apply. Match funding is not necessary but is welcomed. The fund expects to be the majority funder in most cases; however, it will provide balance of funding, e.g. for projects that have applied for Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) funding.
The deadline for expressions of interest (Stage 1) is 27th April 2012.
The deadline for Stage 2 (application and business plan) is 27th September 2012. Support is available for this stage. Awards are expected to be made in December 2012. Monies must be spent within 2 years.
For more information, see http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Moray Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) have welcomed the news that the European Fisheries Fund & the Moray Council awarded the coastal area of Moray with a £400,000 budget to support the sustainable development of fisheries areas.
Youth Enterprise Loan Scheme. £10m pilot scheme to support entrepreneurship amongst young people through small, low interest, loans. Read more here.
People and Communities Fund. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital investment today announced the new People and Communities Fund to promote and support community-led regeneration initiatives across Scotland, is open for applications. Click here.