Funding & Training Focus - 27 May

There is plenty of funding activity coming up over the next few weeks, with opportunities available for community groups and charities across Renfrewshire. This edition includes support for improving community facilities, strengthening services for vulnerable people, rural community development, environmental projects and youth opportunities, alongside several larger opportunities focused on mental health, women and girls, and arts-based learning.

As always, if you would like support to discuss eligibility or talk though an application, please get in touch: mwollberg@engagerenfrewshire.com

 

Funding

• Art and Culture
• Children & Families
• Communities
• Environment, Nature and Climate Change
• Museums
• Women & Girls
• Young People
• Vulnerable People

Training/Additional Support

• Peer Connects

Arts-Based Learning Fund
Arts organisations and charities working with schools, colleges and other formal education settings can apply for grants of £30,000 to £300,000 to deliver high-quality arts-based learning projects lasting two to four years. The funding aims to improve the lives and achievements of children and young people experiencing inequality, with priorities including support for disadvantaged pupils, expanding access to arts-based teaching in underserved schools, addressing inclusion and racism, developing digital and blended learning, and embedding arts in curricula for the long term. Applications must be made in partnership with schools or other formal education settings, and the fund particularly welcomes organisations led by those most affected by oppression. Applications are accepted year-round. The Paul Hamlyn Foundation runs the scheme through its Arts-based Learning Fund.

Funding for Gaelic Early Years Sessions
Voluntary and third-sector early years groups in Scotland can apply for a share of £100,000 in funding to deliver sessions for children aged 0-3 through the medium of Gaelic. The funding, which is being made available by Bòrd na Gàidhlig through the Gaelic Early Years Grants scheme, will help to encourage and increase the day-to-day use of Gaelic, and to encourage continuity into Gaelic education. Groups that deliver 1 session per week can apply for a maximum of £5,000, while groups that deliver more than 1 session per week can apply for a maximum of £15,000. For applications where an organisation is applying to deliver multiple early years groups, up to £20,000 can be requested. All costs must relate to the running of Gaelic early years groups only. This can include wages of Gaelic-speaking playleaders, venue rent and venue costs. The deadline for applications is 3pm on 30 June 2026.

Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation
The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation has announced that the next application deadline for their grants programme is 5pm on 21 August 2026. The programme is open to small UK-registered charities working in music, the performing arts, and Jewish life and learning (including interfaith initiatives). The Foundation aims to support initiatives that significantly impact individuals and/or communities and leave a lasting legacy. Large charities will not be considered. Medical Research Travel grants of up to £1,000 are also available.

Funding to Address Social Issues Facing Families
Charitable organisations can now apply for up to £400 of funding for projects that directly impact families and solve significant social issues in communities.. The Warburtons Community Grant scheme will support a range of activities that support families, create communities that are safer, greener and more inclusive; and help families to gain useful skills for life and work. The funding is administered by the Charities Aid Foundation and can be used to cover specific costs associated with the activities (eg. buying equipment to support an employability project). Applications are considered every quarter. The next closing date for applications is 17 August 2026.

Holiday Grants for Disadvantaged and Disabled Children
Grants ranging from £500 to £3,000 are available for schools, youth groups, non-profit organisations, and charities to support recreational trips or holidays within the UK for groups of disadvantaged or disabled children 13 years old or younger. Applications from the 20% most deprived areas in the UK will be given priority. The grants can cover up to two-thirds of the total cost of a holiday or trip, lasting from one to seven days. The Henry Smith Charity is offering the funding, and applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the scheduled trip or holiday. Applications for trips between 12 January and 30 April 2026 can be made until  19 August 2026. Applications must be made at least 6 weeks before the trip.

Screwfix Foundation
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to local charities and not-for-profit organisations (including specialist not-for-profit schools) to fund projects that will fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need in the UK. The funding is being made available through Screwfix Foundations, and the grants are available for a wide range of projects, from repairing buildings and improving facilities in deprived areas to decorating the homes of people living with sickness and disabilities. Applications are reviewed every quarter, and the next deadline for applications is 10 August 2026.

£3 Million Programme to Help Communities Shape AI Development
The National Lottery Community Fund has announced a new £3 million UK-wide programme to help communities influence how artificial intelligence is developed and used. The programme will be delivered in partnership with UK Community Foundations and the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology. It will support a pilot “AI Pulse Network” of 50 community organisations, alongside community-led projects to develop alternative AI tools and models based on local needs and lived experience. The programme aims to ensure that marginalised communities are not excluded from the benefits of AI or harmed by its use. Projects could, for example, include supporting a charity that helps people with benefit claims to identify incorrect algorithmic decisions and share warning signs across the network so early action can be taken. The first grants are expected to be awarded in autumn 2026. Further details will be announced in due course.

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.
 
Town Centre Regeneration Fund
The Town Centre Regeneration Fund is a grant to help bring vacant, underused or derelict properties in Renfrewshire’s town centres back into use.
Specifically, it’s for where redevelopment of a significant local building or site has stalled because:

• there is a funding gap
• the cost of construction work or supplies has gone up
• restoring older buildings is complex and can require specialist skills
• economic downturns or shifts in demand can impact a project’s viability.

Grants for the Planting of Trees, Hedges & Orchards
Grants of £250 to £2,500 are available for community tree planting projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Eligible applicants include community groups, education institutions, Tree Warden Networks, parish and town councils, tenants’ and residents’ associations, community-funded nurseries or care homes, CICs limited by guarantee, and small registered charities. Applicants must have written permission for the planting site. Funding can cover trees, hedging, hedgerow trees, orchards and establishment items, but not normally professional labour, heavy equipment hire or peat-based products. Applications should demonstrate community involvement, value, local knowledge and aftercare plans by midnight on 19 July 2026. The funding is being provided by The Tree Council Branching Out Fund.

Funding to Help Museums Generate Income 
Grants of up to £250,000 are available to help accredited and non-accredited museums in Scotland develop income-generating activities that improve their financial sustainability. The funding will enable museums (including formally constituted groups of museums) to trial and implement innovative and ambitious projects that may be considered too risky without external support. This could include event hosting, holiday accommodation, workshops, and new tourism offers. The fund supports feasibility studies for new ideas and significant developments of existing projects, but will not cover routine or ongoing activity. Applicants must complete an organisational health checker before applying. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis. The Innovation Fund, part of Museums Galleries Scotland’s Museum Futures Programme, will remain open until 20 February 2027.

Grants of up to £28,000 Available to Strengthen Women and Girls Organisations
Grants of up to £28,000 are available to not-for-profit women’s and girls’ organisations that deliver frontline services addressing male violence against women and girls across the UK. Funding will support organisational development activity, including strategy, governance, leadership, partnerships, fundraising, impact and systems development, rather than core delivery costs alone. Grant holders will also receive training and networking support. Priority will be given to organisations led by and for Black and minoritised, disabled, and LGBTQ+ women and girls, groups in disadvantaged areas, and organisations in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Applications must be submitted by 4pm on 22 June 2026. The funding is being provided by Rosa through the Stand With Us Fund 2026.

£5 Million Mental Health Fund Launched for Girls and Young Women
Grants of £200,000 to £500,000 over three years are available to established UK registered charities providing therapeutic mental health support for girls and young women aged 14 to 25. Funding can support project costs, staff costs and fees, advocacy, learning and evaluation, helping organisations strengthen, expand or adapt existing gender-informed services. Applications are two-stage, with expressions of interest due 22 June 2026 and stage two due 24 August 2026. The funding is being provided by The Julia Rausing Trust, the Pilgrim Trust and the Prudence Trust through Young Women in Mind 2026–2028.

Funding to Improve Support for LGBT+ Young People Facing Homelessness
UK homelessness organisations can apply for grants to make their services safer and more inclusive for LGBT+ young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Henry Smith Foundation Proud Homes Fund is offering grants of up to £200,000 over four years, usually £50,000 per year. Applicants must be registered not-for-profit organisations with charitable aims, such as charities, CICs or community benefit societies. They must have an annual income of between £250,000 and £3 million. Funding can be used for organisational development, safeguarding, staff training and skills, organisational systems and processes, inclusive practice, and core costs. These core costs can include salaries, rent, utilities and staff wellbeing. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 5pm on 3 June 2026. Organisations invited to submit a full application must do so by 5pm on 24 July 2026.

Grants of up to £5,000 Available for Small Charities Supporting Vulnerable People
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for small charities working to improve the lives of vulnerable people across the UK. The funding is provided by the Wise Music Foundation, which aims to make a positive difference for people facing hardship, illness, or poverty, particularly children, the homeless, older people, and those with disabilities. The Foundation also supports a wider range of causes, including education, cultural activities, arts and heritage, health and disability support, overseas famine relief, food banks, and other charitable initiatives. Charities with an annual turnover of up to £500,000 are eligible to apply. The average grant awarded is £1,500. Trustees meet quarterly to consider applications, and the next closing date is 31 May 2026.

Training

Scottish Recovery Network has launched their Peer Connects programme for 2026/27!
 
Through in-person events and webinars you’ll explore what helps mental health peer support thrive - from leadership and lived experience to building a supported peer workforce. Book your place to connect, learn, and work together to grow and sustain peer support across Scotland.
 
Check out the Peer Connects events brochure https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a9b7d8163a.html