Funding & Training Focus - 13 May

There’s a real mix of opportunities in this week’s round-up, from summer activity funding and rural community support to larger grants focused on long-term change, housing, wellbeing, and tackling poverty. Whether you’re planning holiday activities, developing a new project idea, or looking at ways to grow your organisation’s impact, there should be something here for you.
 
As always, if you’d like to chat through any of the opportunities below, feel free to get in touch: mwollberg@engagerenfrewshire.com

Funding

• Art and Culture
• Children & Families
• Communities
• Criminal Justice
• Digital
• Environment, Nature and Climate Change
• Ethnic Minorities
• Financial Security
• Food Insecurity
• Housing
• Miscellaneous
• Social Entrpreneurs
• Sport
• Women & Girls
• Young People

Training/Additional Support

• Training Needs Survey
• Breast Cancer Now - Train the Trainer
• Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

Funding

Capital Grants for Theatre Improvements
Theatre Operators can apply for grants of up to £20,000 to reduce their theatres' environmental impact. The Theatre Improvement Scheme can support various projects that consider how theatre buildings or equipment can reduce their environmental impact. This might range from building management systems to more efficient water heaters, or a green roof to new windows. The funding is being made available through the Theatres Trust in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation and the closing date for applications is 12 noon on 11 September 2026.

Summer of Fun – Renfrewshire Council Grant
Grant funding of up to £3,000 is available for projects led by voluntary and community organisations to deliver activities for low-income families in Renfrewshire between July and August 2026.
Funding can cover single events or programmes of activities taking place in Renfrewshire. These can be for whole families or for children and young people of different age groups.
Activities can be during the day, in the evenings, during the week or at weekends.
Funding can cover costs such as:

• venues
• activity costs
• sessional staff or volunteer expenses
• food
• items to reduce costs for families, such as transport.

Funding can cover the total cost of a project or additional costs to make existing activities more accessible for low-income families.
Funding for day trips will not be prioritised, but these may be funded or part funded as part of a wider programme of activity that is being delivered through council or external funding. The fund will remain open until we have awarded all available funding.

True Colours Trust – UK Small Grants
This programme is designed to support excellent local organisations and projects that work with:

• disabled children and young people;
• children and young people with life-limiting conditions;
• and their families.

It provides grants of up to £10,000, although many grants are smaller than this.

Tesco - Fruit & Veg Grants
Tesco's grant funding programme invites schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations supporting children to apply for up to £1,500 to improve access to fruit and veg.
Every four months, three local projects are selected to be in the customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK. Customers can use their blue token to vote and choose how the funding is distributed. Every project shortlisted for the vote receives funding but a vote using a blue token will make the difference to just how much funding each project receives – up to £500, £1,000 or £1,500.
They welcome applications focused on providing food for pupils, children, and young people—such as fruit for breakfast clubs, meals at sports or holiday clubs, or healthy snacks. They also consider projects supporting mental health, special educational needs, emotional support, or equipment for indoor and outdoor activities that boost wellbeing. Projects that incorporate a food component, like lunch or healthy snacks, are especially encouraged.

Funding to Support Disadvantaged Children
Charities, schools and community organisations can apply for funding through Cash for Kids to support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The charity supports children from birth up to and including 18 years old who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or additional needs. Current programmes include Impact Grants for individuals, providing between £1,000 and £3,000 for essential items and support such as clothing, school uniform, sensory equipment, therapy, disability equipment, educational materials and sports equipment; Impact Grants for groups, typically between £1,000 and £3,000, to support projects, resources and activities that improve children’s wellbeing, inclusion, learning or development; and Holiday Hunger Grants for organisations delivering food and activities for disadvantaged children during the school holidays. Applicants need to select their local area on the Cash for Kids website to view further details, check local availability and find out how to apply.

Community Led Local Development Fund for rural areas
Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Local Action Group are inviting you to express an interest in capital and/or revenue funding expected to be confirmed within the coming weeks.  Expressions of Interest are welcome from rural community groups and organisations with project ideas and focus of delivery that aim to address at least 1 of the following priorities:

• To encourage and support rural communities and villages.
• Address Climate Change, assisting in the net zero challenge.
• Increase and sustain local rural businesses, micro businesses, and social enterprise.
• Address inclusion, diversity, and equality issues – this includes rural poverty including child, elderly, and fuel.
• Create specific opportunities for young people.
• Foster partnership working.

For Renfrewshire, the communities of Langbank, Bishopton, Houston, Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch, Ranfurly, Linwood, Howwood, Bridge of Weir and Inchinnan are all included. Please express your interest in the funding via the following link: Expression of Interest - grilag.com If your project idea is eligible and assists the Local Action Group deliver it's priorities, you will be invited to complete a full application form. The deadline for FULL applications is Sunday 31 May 2026.

The Boost Fund is open! 
The Boost Fund is delivered by Corra and is a partnership programme between the STV Children’s Appeal, Comic Relief, Foundation Scotland, Corra and supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Boost is for community-led organisations across Scotland supporting local people affected by poverty or disadvantage. It's all about boosting community- led efforts, to ensure people with ideas for positive change are supported! Boost is open to constituted and unconstituted groups with an income under £50,000 and has no closing date for applications.

Grants to Support Community Spaces
Revenue grants of between £2,000 and £20,000 per year for up to three years are available to registered charities in Scotland to support local community centres, hubs, or anchor organisations that deliver and/or host a variety of services and activities in rural and urban areas experiencing higher rates of poverty and trauma. The funding which supports revenue expenditure such as staffing costs, operating costs and activity costs is made available through the Robertson Trust’s Community Spaces Fund and is available to registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000. Registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000 are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted at any time.
 

Grants of up to £25,000 Available to Prevent People Entering the Criminal Justice System
UK registered charities working in the areas of Social and Criminal Justice can apply for grants of up to £25,000 to prevent people entering the criminal justice system and to support those already in it to rebuild their lives. The funding is being made available through the Charles Hayward Foundation’s Main Grants Programme. The Foundation will fund early intervention programmes for young children and their families, tailored preventative work with young people at risk, holistic support services that reduce re-offending and aid resettlement, and schemes offering viable alternatives to custody. Additionally, the Foundation looks to alleviate the consequences of domestic abuse. Charities with an annual income of between £350,000 and £4 million are eligible to apply. The next application deadline is 22 May 2026.

Fat Beehive Foundation
We support UK-based charities with an annual turnover of under £1 million, offering funding for a wide range of digital projects. Whether that’s building a new website, developing online resources, or improving digital accessibility, our aim is to help you reach more people, raise more funds and deliver more impact. We know how important it is for small charities to have a strong, user-friendly digital presence – but we also know how hard that can be to fund. Our grants are here to help bridge that gap. We award funding twice a year, and you can find all the key dates and information on our Apply page.

Grants of up to £5,000 Available to Promote Horticulture and Public Gardens
Organisations involved in horticulture, gardening, or botany can apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust. Established in 1970, the Trust has awarded over £3.2 million to more than a thousand recipients, supporting projects that promote horticulture, conserve the environment through biodiversity, develop public gardens, and advance horticultural education. Eligible projects include the restoration of historic gardens, creation of new public garden spaces, horticultural research, publications, and plant study expeditions. Applications are currently open, and the next application deadline is 15 August 2026.

Grants of Up to £100,000 Available to Set Up Electrical Recycling Pilots
Community sector organisations, including registered charities and local authorities can apply for grants of up to £100,000 to run one year pilot projects that make it easier for households to recycle small unwanted electricals. A total of £1 million is available to support activities such as installing on-street bring banks, creating indoor community drop-off points in places like libraries and community buildings, and refurbishing existing recycling banks. The fund can also cover related costs including containers, installation, vehicle rental, staffing, events, battery safety equipment and promotion. Grants are worth up to £0.50 per household served, and projects must show long-term potential beyond the funded period. The funding is made available through the Material Focus Electricals Recycling Fund 2026 and closing date for applications is 31 May 2026.

The Ethnic Minority Development Fund is now open for applications!
The National Lottery Community Fund have reopened the funding programme to support ethnic minority-led third sector organisations across Scotland to deliver projects that benefit their communities. The fund is investing £500,000 to help break down barriers and create opportunities for people from ethnic minority backgrounds, in partnership with The Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations Scotland (CEMVO). Organisations can apply for grants from £500 to £15,000 to help build capacity within their teams when applying for funding.

Big Change That Lasts Fund
The Big Change That Lasts Fund supports organisations working in Scotland to deliver long‑term, systemic change that prevents and reduces poverty and related trauma. We fund work that tackles the underlying causes of poverty - shifting systems, structures and practices so that change lasts beyond individual projects and beneficiaries.
At this time, we are prioritising applications that focus on Financial Security.

• We provide restricted project funding of between £20,000 and £500,000, usually for up to 5 years. Most grants are typically £50,000–£100,000 per year.
• Projects must demonstrate strong potential to deliver big change that lasts, meaning strategic, systemic or long‑term impact on poverty and trauma in Scotland.

We are particularly interested in work that:

• Moves upstream to prevent poverty and financial insecurity
• Influences policy, practice, systems or behaviours
• Has a clear theory of change and potential for impact at scale
• Continues to have impact beyond the funding period

This fund does not support ongoing service delivery, unless it is clearly testing or demonstrating a new, scalable approach.
 

Funding Available for Large-Scale Projects to Reduce Food Insecurity
Not-for-profit organisations working in partnership, such as charities, community interest companies (CICs), charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), schools, universities, and public bodies can apply funding to help people access healthy, affordable food in environmentally sustainable ways. The National Lottery Community Fund is inviting applications to its Climate Action Fund – Food Systems, offering grants of between £2.5 million to £7 million for long-term projects that aim to improve the UK’s food system and reduce food insecurity. Projects should address the root causes of food insecurity by making lasting changes to how food is produced, distributed, and accessed. Grants typically range from £3 million to £5 million, last between three and seven years, and can cover costs such as staff, transport, utilities, equipment, and community support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

B&Q Foundation
Funding is available for registered charities who are creating or improving home environments. They focus on charities that support people who are most in need because of homelessness, financial hardship, sickness, disability or other disadvantage. In 2026 their focus is on projects that directly improve home environments, rather than community centres, support hubs, or well-being spaces. They currently offer two main funding programmes: the Home Improvement Fund and the Home-Starter Kits Fund. Previous projects supported have included improvements such as decorating, fixing roofs, refurbishment of garden space, upgrading key fixtures and fittings, and creating new buildings or rooms.

St Martin in the Fields Charity - Access to Accommodation Fund
This funding is available for charities who work directly with people experiencing or facing homelessness in their local communities. Grant funding can be used to support projects that will unlock or create new housing solutions and accommodation options for people experiencing homelessness. The funder is particularly interested to hear from projects that may offer an effective scalable solution and/or have a strong learning focus. This could be an opportunity to test or pilot a solution in response to an identified local need or scale up an existing project that shows promise and is working well. The fund will support projects that:

• unlock or create housing solutions for people experiencing homelessness
• are locally led and delivered by organisations embedded within their communities and integrated within local services
• are needs focused, understanding the experiences of people facing homelessness and developing solutions that respond to those needs
• involve people with experience of homelessness in the review, design and or delivery of the project
• have the potential to create longer-term impact for the organisation and or local community
• may have scope to be replicated more widely across the sector to inform best practice

The fund will close on Friday 5th June at 5pm.

Grants to Provide Solutions for People in Housing Need
The Lintel Trust, Scotland's Housing Charity, is offering small grants to support community projects addressing housing needs. Grants of £500 or £1,000 are available for initiatives that support people in social housing, with a focus on projects that reduce social isolation, promote digital participation, enable older people to live independently, support individuals with disabilities, and assist those transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. Eligible organisations must have a direct connection to housing associations, housing cooperatives, or local authority social housing providers. The next application deadline is 12 August 2026. Interested organisations should visit the Lintel Trust website for more information and application guidelines.

£5 Million Fund Opens for One Ambitious & Transformative Project
Registered charities together with two to four partners can now apply for a single grant of up to £5 million for a large-scale, collaborative project addressing social challenges across the UK. The lead applicant must have an annual income of at least £5 million, while partners may include charities, universities, companies, local authorities, research institutes and other not-for-profit organisations. Projects must align with one or more of the Postcode Trust themes, which include health, wellbeing, families, children, environmental conservation, biodiversity, wildlife and animals, culture and heritage, and run for one to five years. There is a three-stage application process, and the closing date for stage 1 applications is 31 July 2026. The funding is being provided by the Postcode Innovation Trust Dream Fund.

The Weir Charitable Trust
Scottish-based community groups and small charities working in the areas of sport, recreational facilities, health, culture, and animal welfare can apply for grants of up to £25,000 through the Weir Charitable Trust. The trust aims to assist organisations that have difficulty securing funding elsewhere. Applications are accepted twice a year and the next deadline is 31 July 2026.

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. Applications are open through two funding streams. The Funding Futures Programme supports young social entrepreneurs aged 16 to 30 who are working to improve financial inclusion, such as access to financial services and support, for disadvantaged or marginalised people affected by the cost of living crisis. The Millennium Awards are open to social entrepreneurs aged 16 and over who are tackling a wider range of social issues. Successful applicants will also receive personalised non-financial support, including a dedicated support manager, peer learning, expert advice and legal consultancy. Applications close on 1 June 2026, or earlier if 650 applications are received. The funding is provided by UnLtd through the Funding Futures Programme and the Millennium Awards Trust.

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.

Match Funding Campaign to Support Vulnerable & Underrepresented Women & Girls
UK-registered charities, or charities with tax-exempt status can apply for 1:1 match funding to raise £500 to £10,000 in public donations for work that improves the lives of vulnerable, disadvantaged or underrepresented women and girls in the UK or overseas. Funding can support both specific projects or core costs, with requests capped at 10% of the applicant’s annual income. Priority is given to charities led by Black and minoritised women and girls, LGBTQI women and girls, and Disabled women and girls. Applications must be submitted through the charity portal by 5pm on 24 June 2026. The funding is being provided by Big Give through the Women and Girls Match Fund. Big Give is a UK charity that runs match-funding campaigns to help charities increase fundraising income and supporter engagement.

Funded Residential Breaks for Disadvantaged Young People
Schools, early years centres, youth groups and registered charities in Scotland can apply for funded one- or two-night residential breaks for disadvantaged young people and families. The programme supports groups working with young people aged 6 to 25, while early years and family groups may include children under six where parents or guardians participate. Families cannot apply directly. Funding covers hostel accommodation and a ‘Wee Breakfast’, with packed lunches and dinner available as options, for activities focused on nature and the environment, culture and historic heritage, and wellness and play. Applications close on 26 June 2026. The funding is being provided by Hostelling Scotland through the Happy Hosteller Funded Breaks programme.

Financial Support Available for Schools and Youth Groups to Access Outdoor Learning
Schools or youth groups can apply for financial support to help young people from across the UK access outdoor education programmes run by The Outward Bound Trust. Through its Adventure Fund, the charity offers bursaries that can cover up to 40% of course fees, aiming to remove financial barriers to participation. The funding supports young people aged 11–24 who are UK residents and in full-time education. Applications are open to both individuals and organisations, with priority given to those facing financial hardship or disadvantage. Each year, Outward Bound raises approximately £3.2 million to help thousands of young people build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills through challenging residential courses in wild natural settings. Outward Bound encourages early applications, as funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional Support/Training

Training Needs Survey for Third Sector Organisations: Securing Funding for Projects 2026

The Invest in Renfrewshire Communities Team are exploring what support third sector organisations need to successfully secure funding for their projects. Your responses will help shape future training and resources.
Would you mind taking 10 minutes to complete this form? It would be great if you can submit your response by 18 May 2026.

Train the Trainer (TtT) programme is a free breast health promotion training course that trains local healthcare professionals and community workers to promote breast awareness, breast screening and risk reduction messages within their local communities. As a result, we’re aiming for breast screening attendance in the area to increase and people will present earlier to their GP with any changes to their breast that they may have noticed. 
 
We are delighted to be delivering our next Glasgow workshops as below:  

1. Thursday 28 May: Online 10am – 2:30pm
2. Tuesday 16 June: Online 10am – 2:30pm
3. Tuesday 23 June: In person 10am – 4:30pm, @ The Robertson Trust, Bath Street, G2 4TB

The online workshop is completely free to join, and all trainees will receive a certificate of completion at the end. Additionally, they will receive access to accompanying resources and regular ongoing support from the Train the Trainer delivery team, to assist them in developing and delivering their own targeted community focused initiatives. We ask if that trainees commit to providing us with ongoing feedback including numbers and outcomes of their engagement work. Additionally, there is a small grant fund available for trainees to apply for to support their engagements, of up to £1,500. 
 
Alternatively, our self-directed eLearning course is available for enrolment. The course is free to access and can be completed in your own time, through however many sessions you’d like. If you did it all in one go, we estimate it would take 2 hours to complete!  Once enrolled, trainees have up to 3 months to complete the course – if the course is not completed within this timeframe, the trainee will be unenrolled. 
 
If anyone would like to book a space or ask any questions, contact trainthetrainer@breastcancernow.org
 

Pre-application Q&A webinar:  Join us on 3 June to learn more about Esmée's application process and how we make decisions.  We'll also answer your questions.  We hope the session will help you understand whether you should invest time in applying to us or if your efforts might be better focused on other sources of funding.