Funding Focus - 22 July

This week's newsletter includes a wide range of funding opportunities for charities, community groups and voluntary organisations, with support available for projects tackling poverty, improving mental health, employability support, and helping disadvantaged children and young people. You'll also find funding for digital inclusion, arts and culture, sports, and services supporting refugees and people seeking asylum.

I've also highlighted a selection of free online resources for anyone who is new to fundraising or funding applications, or simply looking to refresh their knowledge. These webinars and toolkits cover everything from writing stronger funding applications to fundraising, grant management and using AI to help you with your fundraising.

As always, if you'd like to discuss any of these opportunities or need support with an application, please get in touch: mwollberg@engagerenfrewshire.com


Funding

• Alcohol & Drugs
• Art and Culture
• Children & Families
• Communities
• Digital Exclusion
• Employment
• Gambling Harms
• Homelessness/Housing
• Health
• NHS Community Benefits
• Sport
• Refugees & asylum Seekers
• Racial Justice
• Vulnerable People
• Young People

Training/Additional Support

• The Child Protection Learning & Development Calendar
• How to generate and increase sales
• Meet the Funder with the Postcode Lottery 
• Charitable Trading
• Meet the Funder with Social Investment Scotland

Online Resources
 

The Alcohol and Drugs Fund is now open
The Scottish Government’s Alcohol and Drugs Fund will make £36.9 million available for organisations working with people affected by drugs and alcohol. The fund will support the implementation of the Scottish Government’s Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026-35 which aims to prevent harm, promote recovery and save lives. The Alcohol and Drugs Fund is managed by Corra Foundation.
The funding provides the opportunity for organisations to continue the important work funded through the National Drugs Mission. It will also provide new funding for projects focused on supporting people affected by alcohol.
The Alcohol and Drugs Fund will facilitate rights-based, relational support for people to ensure they receive the right support at the right time. Funding is available for organisations that work directly with people who use alcohol and drugs, people in recovery, and their children and families, and will be open to third sector organisations and public bodies.

Funding for Theatre & Dance Tours
Scotland-based dance and theatre artists, choreographers, producers, companies, and venues are invited to apply for a share of £2 million in National Lottery funding to support live performance tours. Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance will continue to support the touring of a wide range of high-quality theatre and dance productions fostering collaboration among artists, producers, companies, and venues to broaden access and engage diverse audiences. Funded activity includes new productions, revivals, successful past shows, and productions that have been developed but not yet toured. Funding covers the full amount required to produce and tour, with no upper or lower limits on the amount that can be applied for. The deadline for applications is 2pm on 30 September 2026.

Funding to Support Children with Special Education Needs
Charities and schools in England and Wales can apply for grants that improve learning opportunities for children and young adults, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities or special educational needs. Grants are available on a rolling basis for up to £5,000, up to £20,000, and £25,000 or more for projects usually costing over £10,000. Funding supports buildings, refurbishments, recreational spaces and essential vehicles, with a preference for capital rather than core costs. AThe funding is being provided through the Bernard Sunley Foundation Education grants programme. There are no deadlines, and applications can be submitted at any time.

ScottishPower Foundation Annual Grants Fund Opens
Grants of between £50,000 and £100,000 are available to registered charities delivering projects that benefit communities across the UK. The ScottishPower Foundation Annual Grants Fund supports projects that strengthen communities, protect the environment, promote inclusion, and expand opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. Funding is available across five strategic themes: education, training and research; biodiversity and the environment; art and culture; social action; and new technologies. Projects should contribute to at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal. Charities must complete an eligibility form and an application form. Applications close at 12 noon on 24 July 2026 or when 350 applications have been submitted, whichever comes first. Early applications are encouraged due to expected high demand

Funding to Tackle Digital Exclusion
Grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 are available to UK charities, CICs and other not-for-profit organisations working to tackle digital exclusion in their communities. The Access Foundation’s Digital Divide Grants programme funds projects lasting up to twelve months that aim to improve digital access, skills and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must show clear, measurable outcomes, such as digital skills training, improved access to equipment, or support to help people move into education or employment. Funding decisions are typically made within 16 weeks of submission.

£60 Million Employment Support Fund for Disabled People & People with Health Conditions
The Government has announced a new £60 million fund to test innovative approaches to employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions. Public, private and voluntary sector organisations across the UK will be able to apply for funding to develop and trial projects that help people get into work, stay in employment and progress in their careers. An expert panel, including representatives from disability organisations, employers and the technology sector, will help shape the programme and advise on which proposals should receive funding. The Pathways to Work Innovation Fund forms part of the Government’s wider £3.5 billion investment in employment support. Applications are expected to open in September 2026, with full guidance to be published later.
 

Grants of up to £5,000 Available to Increase Employment Opportunities for Disadvantaged Adults
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities to support projects that equip people (18 or older in order) from disadvantaged groups with the communication skills necessary to gain employment. Priority will be given to projects that target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups facing major hurdles to employment, especially women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers. The funding is being made available through the Thomas Wall Trust, and the deadline for stage 1 applications is 11 September 2026. Applicants successful at this stage will be invited to submit a stage 2 application

Grants for Gambling-Related Mental Health Support
Third sector and community organisations in Scotland can apply for a share of £375,000 to support people affected by gambling-related mental health problems, with a focus on suicide prevention. The main purpose of the funding is to improve understanding of how gambling harms impact the mental health of disadvantaged, marginalised and minoritised communities, and how they are linked to wider social, economic and environmental factors. This will help organisations identify effective approaches to prevention, intervention and treatment. Grants of up to £20,000 are available for new applicants, while returning applicants can apply for up to £30,000. The Gambling Harm and Mental Health Fund is administered by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. Applications close on 14 August 2026.

Small Charities Can Apply for Grants to Tackle Health Inequalities
Small UK registered charities can apply for up to £10,000 in unrestricted funding to reduce health inequalities. Up to 10 charities will be supported, with priority for community-based work improving health outcomes for disadvantaged groups, including ethnic minority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ communities and others experiencing inequality. The charities offered funding will be invited to attend an online leadership programme. Up to 10 places are available, valued at £5,000 a place. Applications close at 5pm on Monday 10 August 2026, with decisions expected by mid-October 2026. The funding is being provided by the GSK Community Health Programme.

Funding to Improve Homes for People in Need
Grants of up to £10,000 will soon be available to UK registered charities for projects that improve homes and accommodation, or provide home-starter kits, for people in need. The funding is provided by the B&Q Foundation to help individuals and families facing homelessness, domestic abuse, disability, illness, or financial hardship feel safer, more settled, and better supported. The Home Improvement Fund can support essential repairs, decorating, and other indoor and outdoor improvements, while the Home-Starter Kits Fund helps charities purchase and distribute essential household items, with a maximum of £500 per kit. Eligible items include white goods, small electrical goods, curtains, and basic repair materials. Only charity-managed properties qualify for home and accommodation improvements. Applications open on 20 July 2026 and close on 14 August 2026.

Funding for Organisations Supporting Refugees & People Seeking Asylum
Grants of £200,000 over three years will soon be available to organisations and partnerships supporting newcomers to the UK to rebuild their lives, feel at home and become active members of their local communities. The Henry Smith Foundation’s Welcome for Newcomers Fund will award around 20 grants to organisations and partnerships delivering specialist support and activities that help refugees, people seeking asylum and other migrants build a sense of belonging. This could include immigration advice, housing and welfare support, health and wellbeing services, English language provision, employment support, volunteering, sports, arts and social groups. The programme is open to charities, CICs and other not-for-profit organisations already delivering established support for newcomers. Expressions of Interest open on 15 July 2026 and close on 26 August 2026.

Free Sports Equipment Available for Youth Teams
Grassroots youth sports teams in Scotland, England and Wales can apply for support through the Gear Up for Sport programme, funded by UK motor retailer Arnold Clark. The programme offers free training equipment to teams with up to 30 members, aged 4 to 15. This includes training balls, ball bags, space markers, water bottles, mesh bibs, and other items to help reduce costs for community clubs. Teams from a wide range of sports are eligible, and equipment will differ depending on the sport. Applications must be submitted by a coach or club official, not a parent. Only one entry per club will be accepted. Successful applicants will have six weeks to order the training equipment, which can take up to eight weeks to arrive. Applications close on 31 July 2026.
 

Grants Available for Disabled Individuals and Groups to Play Tennis
Disabled individuals, disability groups, tennis clubs, schools, and associations across the UK that work with people with disabilities can apply for grants from the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust to support participation in tennis. Individuals may receive up to £600, while groups, clubs, or projects can obtain up to £1,600. The grants can be used for coaching with LTA-licensed coaches, court hire, tennis wheelchairs, and equipment like rackets. Applicants seeking sports wheelchairs may be required to make a personal contribution. The Trust holds four funding meetings annually; the next application deadline is 3 August 2026.

Funding to Alleviate Social Deprivation
Scottish charities with an annual income of less than £1 million that address poverty and deprivation, with a particular focus on women, children, and young people, can apply for grants of up to £25,000 per year for up to 3 years through the Volant Charitable Trust Large Grants Programme. Managed by Foundation Scotland, the scheme supports both project and core costs, excluding capital and retrospective funding. Funded work may include food provision, mental health support, services for isolated women, and outreach for at-risk youth. Examples of past projects include a community food pantry in Glasgow, a peer support programme for young mothers in Edinburgh, and counselling for teenagers in rural Fife. There is a two-stage application process, with a deadline of midnight on 28 September 2026. 
 

Funding for Charities Improving Education, Employment and Wellbeing in Deprived Areas
UK registered charities with annual income between £150,000 and £1 million can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to improve education, employment, wellbeing and life outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged people. The Trust's current funding priority areas of interest are enabling children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive and achieve their potential in education and employment; and to strengthening communities through services and opportunities which enhance the wellbeing and life outcomes of vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Funding must support work within Funding supports work in the most deprived 20% of areas of the UK. Applicants must complete an eligibility check and apply online by 5pm on 28 August 2026. Funding is provided through the Schroder Charity Trust grants programme.

Funding to Support Disadvantaged Young People and Offenders
UK charities and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) are invited to apply for grants to support projects that help young offenders, ex-offenders, and other disadvantaged young people find routes into meaningful work and involvement in their communities. Applications from community interest companies (CICs) may also be considered in some cases. The programme offers two funding streams: small grants of up to £5,000 and main grants with no formal upper limit, although most awards are between £10,000 and £15,000. Funding is available through the Worshipful Company of Weavers Charitable Grants Programme, and the next application deadline is 1 November 2026.

£200,000 Grants to Support Young People with Learning Disabilities into Work
UK-based charitable organisations with annual income of £3 million or less can apply for four-year grants of £200,000 to support young people with learning disabilities into paid employment. Funding can cover core costs, including salaries, rent, utilities and staff wellbeing, and support job coaching, vocational profiling, work experience and partnerships with schools, families and employers. Funding can be used for job coaches in mainstream or SEND schools, to provide vocational profiling and meaningful work experience, to build partnerships with schools, families and employers, and to strengthen routes into supported internships and paid work. The closing date for submitting an Expression of Interest is at 5pm on 2 September 2026. Those applicants successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application. Funding is provided by the Henry Smith Foundation through the Career Ready Fund.
 

Grants of up to £20,000 to Support Youth Employment
Grants of up to £20,000 are available to organisations helping disadvantaged young people move towards employment. The Bairdwatson Charitable Trust, managed by Foundation Scotland, funds organisations that provide training for employment, employment support, and vocational skills development. This can include support to help young people re-engage with school, progress into further education or training, and develop workplace skills. A total of £150,000 is available in this round. Organisations with an annual income of up to £2.5 million are eligible to apply. The closing date for applications is 7 August 2026.
 

Equipment Grants for Disabled and Disadvantaged Young People
Schools, charities, and not-for-profit organizations in the UK can apply for Wooden Spoon Society Grants to support equipment for mentally, physically, and socially disadvantaged children. This programme funds capital items only—covering sensory rooms and gardens, playgrounds, outdoor spaces, specialist equipment, and facilities—aiming to improve health and wellbeing. Projects focused on education, health, wellbeing, or disability sports must include a key sport element, preferably rugby, to engage young participants. Grants have no set maximum limit, although applications for under £5,000 are unlikely to be considered. The program does not fund revenue costs like staffing, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
 

Funding for Rural Community & Education Projects
Charities that support rural development—especially those focused on young people’s education and poverty relief in rural areas—can apply for funding from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust. The Trust prioritises larger projects that make a meaningful difference to rural communities. Grants typically range from £1,000 to £75,000, with higher-value awards supporting organisations that have a significant national impact. Previously funded projects have included city farms, Federations of Young Farmers Clubs, and farming community networks. The next application deadline 9 October 2026 to be considered in the December 2026 meeting.
 

Up to £10,000 for Projects Supporting Young People’s Mental Health
UK-based registered charities and grassroots organisations are invited to apply for funding from the Sasha Love Foundation. The Foundation offers grants of up to £10,000 for projects supporting young people affected by depression, mental health challenges, and drug-related issues. Funding is also available for overseas education and healthcare initiatives, with a particular focus on improving access to education for young women in developing countries. Previously funded projects include the Liss NEET Project, which supports young people who are not in education, employment or training, and Malaika Kids, which provides support for children and families in some of the poorest parts of Tanzania. Grants may cover up to 50% of total project costs. The next application deadline is the 1st October 2026.

Training

Renfrewshire Child Protection Learning & Development Calendar ( July & August)
The Child Protection Learning & Development Calendar lists the various interagency learning opportunities available in Renfrewshire Council.
Interagency partners can apply for courses highlighted in this calendar by completing an Interagency Staff Booking form.
Please contact training.sw@renfrewshire.gov.uk to find out more and receive up to date information o training opportunities.
 
How to generate and increase sales
Thursday 23 July 202613:00 - 15:00
Sales are the lifeblood of every business. This webinar focuses on a pragmatic approach to sales strategy and delivery and is designed to fit with the needs of small businesses in both B2C and B2B environments.

Meet the Funder with Postcode Lottery
10:00-11:00, 4 August 2026, SCVO (online)
During this webinar, attendees will hear directly from People’s Postcode Trust about their grant funding and how they support charities and good causes across Scotland. Find out how funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps organisations, projects and community groups to deliver local activity, tackle poverty and inequality, improve wellbeing, and protect the environment.
Attendees will gain an overview of the Trust’s main funding opportunities and how these can support organisations working across Scotland. The session will highlight the types of activity that can be funded and provide practical advice on making strong applications.

Charitable Trading
10 August 2026 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
This ONLINE workshop is a precursor to the Just Enterprise ‘Establishing a Trading Subsidiary’ workshop.
During this session, participants will explore the law and how it applies to charity trading. You’ll discover what kinds of trading are permissible for charities, and how you can carry out non-charitable trading and still stay on the right side of the law.
 
Recruiting Board Members
24 August 2026 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Are you planning to recruit new/additional members to join the board of your social enterprise? This workshop will look at the steps you need to take when recruiting board members including how to find the right people for your organisation and the ways in which you can approach them.

Meet the Funder - Social Investment Scotland
1 September, 10.00-11.00
During this webinar, attendees will hear directly from Chris Holloways, Head of Social Investment Scotland (SIS), about the funding and finance options they offer and how they support charities, social enterprises and community organisations across Scotland. They will also hear how social investment can help organisations to grow, develop assets, and increase their long-term sustainability and impact.
Attendees will gain an overview of SIS’s main funding and finance options and how these can support organisations at different stages of development. The session will highlight the types of activity that can be supported and provide practical advice on making a strong application.

Online resources

Webinar: Trustees and fundraising
Webinar: Digital Fundraising: Tools and Tactics
Webinar: Applying for Grants
Toolkit: Preparing and Applying for Grants
Toolkit: Managing, Monitoring & Reporting
Webinar: How to elevate your fundraising with AI
Webinar: AI tools every fundraiser should know