Funding & Training - 14 October

Funding
 

• Art and Culture
• Children & Families
• Communities
• Digital/IT
• Environment, Nature & Horticulture
• Health
• NHS Community Benefits
• Racially Minoritised Communities
• Social Entrepreneurs
• Sport
• Vulnerable People
• Women & Girls
• Young People

Training/Additional Support

• Meet the Funder with Corra Foundation 
• Meet the Funder with the Aviva Foundation 

Funding to Support Arts and Music Projects 
The Fidelio Trust is offering grants of up to £5,000 to talented early-career individuals and groups in the arts, particularly music, who would be unable to pursue their project or activity without financial support. An appropriate institution, college, Arts Festival or similar organisation must recommend Individuals and groups. Funding is available for special tuition or coaching costs, participation in external competitions, support for a specially arranged performance, and support for a musical composition. The closing date for applications is midday on 1 February 2027.

The Charlotte Aitken Trust
The Charlotte Aitken Trust is dedicated to the support of literature, writing and reading. It funds organisations whose core purpose is in the support of literature and literacy.
In support of these aims the Trust has provided funding for book prizes; championed playwrights and theatres; made donations to support the infrastructure of artistic organisations and buildings of national importance; and championed schemes that promote creative writing in schools.
This is an annual fund and it’s now open until 31 October 2026.
 

Support for Schools to Deliver Film & Screen Education Activities 
Schools in Scotland can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to support projects that develop film and screen education for pupils. The grants aim to provide opportunities for children and young people to make, or collaborate in making, a film or other screen-based product. The fund is designed to help schools integrate film and digital storytelling into curricula, strengthen teacher skills, and create engaging and accessible screen-education opportunities for pupils. Funding can support activities such as programme delivery, hiring specialist practitioners, teacher training and professional development, safeguarding costs, project showcases, and access support. Partnerships are welcome. The funding is made available through Screen Scotland’s Schools Screen Education Fund and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
 

Grants for Musicians and Bands (UK)
Artists and bands at a key stage in their development can apply for grants of £5,000 to £15,000 to help take their careers to the next level. Funding can be used for activities such as recording, touring, and marketing. Artists may submit applications themselves or through a representative, including a manager, independent label, or publisher. The funding is offered through the PRS Foundation’s Momentum Music Fund. The next application deadline is 26 October 2026.
 

Support for Museum Partnerships and Innovation
Museums and formally constituted museum groups in Scotland can apply for grants of up to £350,000 for collaborative projects lasting up to three years. Smaller grants are also available to support preparatory work, research and the early development of partnerships. Projects must be led by a museum and delivered in partnership with other organisations. Funding can support work to address skills gaps, test shared services or resources, develop new sources of income, tackle local challenges, or build partnerships with organisations outside the museum sector. The application process has two stages. Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest. Only successful applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. Funding is provided by Museums Galleries Scotland through the Pathfinder Pilot Fund.

Grants to Support Neurodivergent Children and Their Families
UK grassroots organisations can apply for small grants, typically ranging from a few hundred pounds to around £2,000, to support neurodivergent children under 18 and their families. Funding is intended for grassroots initiatives, particularly in communities where access to neurodiversity information and support is limited. There is no fixed maximum award. Applications close 24 October 2026 and are capped at 200 per funding window, after which no further applications will be processed. Successful applicants will be notified on 5 December, with grants awarded during the week commencing 8 December 2026. The funding is provided by Genius Within CIC through the Blooming Genius grants programme.
 

Funding for Respite Breaks for Disabled Children and their Families
Families and groups of children, schools, organisations, and other registered charities can apply to the Adamson Trust for financial assistance towards the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children with physical, mental, or emotional impairments. To be eligible, the child must be a UK resident aged 3 to 17, and the Trust requires evidence of their disability or illness from a medical or social services professional. Grants from the Trust usually only cover a portion of the holiday expenses. The next application closing date is 31 December 2026.
 

Funding for Charities Supporting Children with Language and Hearing Difficulties
Funding is available to small UK-registered charities that support children with speech, language, or hearing difficulties. The Speech, Language and Hearing Foundation provides grants for education, therapy, and research that improve the lives of children facing communication challenges or complex developmental needs. Previous grants have funded part-time speech and language therapists in disadvantaged schools, postgraduate study in educational audiology, improvements to classroom acoustics, research into childhood deafness, and laptops to support speech and language therapy services. While no grant amount is specified, recent awards have ranged from £500 to £15,000. Applications can be made at any time.


Cash for Kids - Holiday Hunger Grants
Holiday Hunger Grants are available to organisations and service providers who support children and young people (up to and including 18 years old) that have a genuine need for support, are disadvantaged due to poverty, the increase in the cost of living and face food insecurity. This funding is specifically to provide disadvantaged children and young people who have a lack of access to food AND activities in the school holidays. Projects must focus on outcomes that encourage children to eat more healthily and be more active during the school holidays. 
 

Funding to Support Families in Need (UK)
Voluntary sector organisations in the UK working on the frontlines of family support can apply for grants of £10,000-£100,000 for a period of one to three years. These funds, made available through the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, can be used for core costs, salaries, running expenses, and project costs. The programme prioritises organisations with an annual income up to £500,000 located in, or serving of high deprivation. Focus areas include family support in deprived communities, with particular interest in early intervention programmes, families coping with addiction, and assistance for prisoners' families. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Renfrewshire Voices Fund
Renfrewshire Council has launched The Renfrewshire Voices Fund which supports organisations that are led by, represent, or work with equalities groups in Renfrewshire. The small grants programme funds projects that improve understanding of the experiences, needs, and priorities of local equalities groups. The information gathered will help shape future services, policies, and support across Renfrewshire. Organisations can apply for up to £4,000 and should plan to spend the funding by June 2027. If your project requires a longer delivery period, an extension will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications close on Wednesday 28 October 2026.


Apply for the Frasers Plus Braehead Community Fund!
Every month, we offer £500 to Frasers Plus Braehead’s local community working hard to create a positive change.
If you, your charity, school or group have a story to tell and a mission to share, we’d love to hear from you. To be considered, please apply by 11.59pm on the 25th of the month by emailing us with:

• A brief overview of your mission (max. 500 words).
• How you would spend the £500 if successful.
• Contact details (name, phone number, and email address).
• Links to your website or social media links.

Barchester's Charitable Foundation
Barchester's Charitable Foundation helps older people and other adults with a disability across England, Scotland & Wales. Grants are to help people lead more fulfilled lives and reach their full potential.
Their focus is on connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. They support applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged.
Applications are open quarterly:

• 1 - 31 January (decisions early March)
• 1- 30 April (decisions in late June)
• 1 -31 July (decisions in late September)
• 1 - 31 October (decisions in late December)

Grants Available to Support Communities Through the Cost-of-Living Crisis
UK charities, community groups, social enterprises, CICs and other voluntary organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,500 through the Arnold Clark Community Fund Cost-of-Living Support programme. Applicants must operate within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch and use the funding to support people experiencing financial hardship. Grants can support activities such as food and hygiene banks, homelessness and accommodation services, poverty relief, utility costs and other practical household expenses. Funding cannot be used for wages, debt repayments, political activity or costs that provide a private benefit to an individual. Applications must be submitted online through Grants Connect. They are assessed on a rolling basis until the available funding has been awarded, and applicants will normally receive a decision within four weeks. The programme is funded by Arnold Clark through the Arnold Clark Community Fund.


Scottish Building Society Foundation
The Scottish Building Society Foundation will aim to invest in the long-term future of communities in Scotland. They are looking to provide financial support to charities and community groups.

Applications that address any of the following issues are particularly welcomed:

• Community facilities, services, transport, open spaces, affordable housing, reduction of poverty, and care of the elderly
• Youth and education, providing training opportunities and support for vulnerable young people
• Promoting care and support of vulnerable people; improving community safety, minimising isolation, and maximising wellbeing

Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, such as equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets.
 

Grants of up to £3,000 Available for Community and Education Projects (UK)
Charities, not-for-profit organisations, schools and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) can apply for grants of up to £3,000 from the Ford Britain Trust. Funding is available for projects supporting education, the environment, children and young people, people with disabilities, and local communities. Priority is given to projects near Ford sites in Essex (including East London), Bridgend (South Wales), Southampton, Daventry, Manchester and Liverpool. Grants can support capital projects, including building refurbishments and the purchase of equipment or computers. Two funding programmes are available: Small Grants of up to £250, with an application deadline of 31 October 2026, and Large Grants of between £250 and £3,000, with an application deadline of 30 November 2026.
 

Grants of up to £5,000 Available to Support Communities (UK)
Registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) across the UK can apply for unrestricted grants of up to £5,000 for one year. The funding is intended to support work that improves the lives of people and communities. To be eligible, organisations must have been operating for at least one year, have annual income and expenditure of less than £200,000, hold limited unrestricted reserves, publish their accounts and maintain a public website. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate a clear need for their work and the impact it will have. Funding is not available for capital projects, hospices, medical research, Community Interest Companies (CICs), Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), scouting groups or services that charge participants. Applications open at 10am on 8 October 2026 and will close when 40 applications have been received or after two weeks, whichever comes first. Funding is provided by The Leathersellers’ Foundation through its Small Grants Programme.

Funding for Community-Led Nature Projects
The Wildlife Trusts has announced that its Green Community Grants programme will reopen on 30 September 2026. Not-for-profit organisations in England, Scotland and Wales can apply for one-year flexible grants of £10,000 to £25,000 for projects supporting nature recovery, tackling the climate emergency, or improving nature-rich spaces and access to them. Applicants must have operated for at least 12 months and have aims aligned with the programme’s themes. Funding may also support recycling, litter picking, beach cleans and sustainable transport. Priority will be given to smaller organisations, those supporting deprived or marginalised communities, and groups focused on habitat or species protection. The 2025 pilot funded 35 projects, including youth habitat creation, carbon-literacy education and community mushroom farming. Applications close on 21 October 2026.
 

Grants of up to £8,000 Available for Community Climate Action Projects (UK)
Social entrepreneurs aged 16 and over across the UK can apply for awards of up to £8,000 to develop new community projects that tackle climate change. Projects should focus on areas such as transport, home energy use, sustainable food, reducing waste or cutting consumption. Applicants must either be developing a business idea or have been operating for less than a year. Their organisation must have a turnover of less than £250,000. Priority will be given to people with personal experience of the issues they want to address and strong links to their communities, particularly those from disadvantaged or underrepresented groups. Successful applicants will also receive coaching, business support and opportunities to build connections with other social entrepreneurs. The programme is open until July 2028. Funding is provided by UnLtd through its Community Climate Action programme.

St James's Place Foundation - Major Grants Programme
The Foundation supports projects across 5 main themes:

• Children and Young People disadvantaged physically, socially or economically
• Living well with cancer
• Mental health
• End of life care
• Financial Wellbeing

They fund the direct delivery costs of services and support activities across these core themes - for example, salary costs or specific programme expenses. They also offer multi-year funding to charities.

Funding Available to Support Black and Racially Minoritised Communities
Scottish charities and registered not-for-profit organisations supporting Black and racially minoritised communities can apply for unrestricted grants of up to £50,000 over five years (£10,000 annually). Funding can cover new or existing projects and core running costs, including salaries, rent and overheads, supporting activities addressing racial inequality, community wellbeing, education and employment. Applicants must have operated for at least 12 months, with annual income not exceeding £250,000 in each of the last three years. Applications close at 12 noon on 15 October 2026. Funding is provided by the Corra Foundation through its Racial Equity Fund.

Grants of up to £18,000 available to Social Entrepreneurs
Social entrepreneurs across the UK can apply for awards of up to £8,000 to start community-focused business ventures, or up to £18,000 to grow existing ones. The funding is provided by UnLtd through two programmes. The Funding Futures Programme supports people aged 16–30 who help disadvantaged or marginalised people affected by the cost of living crisis access financial services and support. The Millennium Awards support people aged 16 and over tackling a wider range of social issues. Successful applicants also receive personalised support, expert advice, opportunities to learn from others and legal guidance. Applications close at 10 am on 30 November 2026, or earlier if 650 applications are received.

Grants Available to Help Community Sports Clubs Grow and Stay Sustainable
Grants of up to £2,000 are available to not-for-profit sports organisations, charities, community groups and formally established clubs across the UK and Ireland. A total of £500,000 is available, with 250 grants expected to be awarded. The grants can be used to cover a range of day-to-day running costs, including venue hire, utilities, equipment, coaching, volunteer expenses, sports kit, marketing, training and insurance. The funding aims to help organisations continue providing or increase opportunities for adults to take part in sport. Funding is only available to organisations that provide sports activities for adults aged 18 and over. Priority will be given to organisations working in disadvantaged areas or supporting groups that are under-represented in sport. These include women, people from racially diverse communities, disabled people and LGBT+ people. Applications close on 1 January 2027. The funding is provided by Flutter UK & Ireland through its Cash4Clubs programme, which is run in partnership with Sported.

Grants Available to Support Adults with Learning Disabilities
UK registered or exempt charities and community interest groups supporting adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities can apply for grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to three years, with 6–10 organisations expected to receive funding. Applicants must have annual turnover between £1 million and £20 million. Funding can support capital or revenue costs for employment and training, financial inclusion, support networks, respite, community services and accommodation, helping people increase independence and social inclusion. Applicants first submit a 1,000-word outline, with shortlisted organisations invited to apply formally and potentially receive an assessment visit. The deadline is 30 September 2027 for projects starting April 2028. Funding is provided by the Forbes Charitable Foundation through its Main Grants programme.
 

Funding to Support Vulnerable Migrants 
Not for profit organisations and private law firms working with vulnerable young migrants can apply for grants of up to £30,000. The grants can be used to support legal work that benefits young migrants living in poverty who face significant disadvantage or discrimination as a result of their immigration status. Applicants should note that the average grant size is around £12,000 and £15,000. The funding is being made available through the Strategic Legal Fund (SLF) for Vulnerable Young Migrants, and the closing date for applications is 26 October 2026.

Funding to Support the Campaigning Work of Women’s & Girl’s Organisations
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to support the work of grassroots women’s and girl’s organisations in achieving change in the UK. The fund can be used to support campaigning and influencing work that enables women and girls to use their voice in addressing social issues. This could include campaigning for changes in policy and laws; influencing community leaders; mentoring or training for women on how to participate in public life and influence social policy; and hosting workshops, events and conferences that educate and influence wider society etc. The funding is being made available by the charity Rosa through its Voices from the Frontline fund which closes to applications at 4pm on 16 November 2026.


Women's Fund for Scotland
The Women’s Fund for Scotland (WFS) makes unrestricted grants to projects across Scotland that support women’s development, self-sufficiency and social and economic equality. It makes grants across three key themes:

• Thrive – funding the potential of women and girls to thrive – through leadership, skills-building, innovation and creativity.
• Heal – funding the spaces and support systems that women need to heal – from violence, from marginalisation and from injustice.
• Rise – supporting women rising – together and on their own terms. Rising out of loneliness, of poverty and into a more equal Scotland. This could support movement building or collective work.

The fund supports women’s organisations, especially those run by and for women, community-based organisations running projects with women and girls, and projects supporting disadvantaged women and girls. Now open until 30 October 2026.

The Magdalen Hospital Trust
Funding for projects working with vulnerable children and young adults, especially those at risk of sexual and other forms of exploitation.
They prefer to fund project costs rather than core costs. Projects can include those that provide: training for work and personal development, clubs and play schemes, safeguarding education, mental health support and counselling, emergency care. Now open until 31 October 2026.
Upcoming submission dates:

• 1 - 28 February 2027 (for March meeting)
• 1 - 30 June 2027 (for July meeting)
• 1 - 31 October 2027 (for November meeting)

Training

Meet the Funder Event with the Corra Foundation: Boost Fund
Online  10:00-11:00, 3 November 2026
During this webinar, attendees will hear directly from Corra Foundation about the Boost Fund and how it supports small, community-led organisations across Scotland.
Learn how the fund can help organisations to strengthen their capacity, grow their activities, and increase their impact within local communities. Attendees will gain an overview of the Boost Fund, including the types of organisations and activities it supports.


Meet the Funder with the Aviva Foundation
Online 10:00-11:00, 1 December 2026
During this webinar, attendees will hear directly from Aviva Foundation about their funding and how they support charities and community organisations across the UK.
They will learn how the foundation supports work that helps individuals and communities to overcome challenges, improve wellbeing, and build stronger, more resilient futures.


Renfrewshire Child Protection Learning & Development Calendar (September & October)
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.