The funding alerts below are updated regularly to let you know of important information about funding deadlines for community groups and charities.
If your group is awarded a grant from any of the funds highlighted in these alerts, please let us know by emailing ExternalFunding@eastayrshireleisure.com.
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Latest funding alerts
9CC Group - Local Community Fund
Constituted voluntary and community groups are eligible to apply, including:
- community councils
- school parent councils
- community-led action plan steering groups
- development trusts, and
- formally constituted organisations where the project can demonstrate wider community benefit
Additionally, social economy or social enterprise projects (where the project may be a company limited by guarantee and/or have charitable status) may also apply.
The 9CC Group supports the following themes:
- active community
- entrepreneurial community
- connected community
- net zero
- children and young people
Applications from the following areas of Cumnock and Doon Valley are accepted:
- Auchinleck
- Cronberry
- Cumnock
- Dalmellington
- Drongan
- Logan and Lugar
- Netherthird
- New Cumnock
- Ochiltree and Skares
- Patna
- Rankinston and Stair
Grants of £1,000 and over are available.
The fund is open on the 9CC Group website. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026.
Apply at 9CC Group: Local Community Fund
9CC Group - Small Grants Scheme
Constituted registered charities, and community and voluntary groups may apply for funding.
A wide range of project costs are supported, including (but not restricted to):
- community group equipment
- small-scale, community-led social events and programmes
Applications from the following areas of Cumnock and Doon Valley are accepted:
- Auchinleck
- Cronberry
- Cumnock
- Dalmellington
- Drongan
- Logan and Lugar
- Netherthird
- New Cumnock
- Ochiltree and Skares
- Patna
- Rankinston and Stair
Grants of up to £1,000 are available.
The fund is open on the 9CC Group website. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026.
Apply at 9CC Group: Small Grants Scheme
Army Benevolent Fund
Grants to charities and organisations that provide lifetime support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families when they are in need.
Grants can be used for a wide range of projects and activities from helping soldiers to adapt to life after service, to assisting elderly veterans maintain their independence.
The charity has not set a minimum or maximum amount. However, applicants which have no established relationship with the Army Benevolent Fund are unlikely to receive an award above £15,000.
The fund is open on the Army Benevolent Fund website. The deadline for applications is 17 March 2026.
Apply at Army Benevolent Fund
Corra Foundation - Household Hardship Fund
Charities, community groups and social enterprises across Scotland can now apply for funding to provide direct financial support to families and children on low incomes through the Household Hardship Fund.
Funding is intended to provide immediate relief for pressing costs such as food, fuel, phone and internet access, warm clothing and other essential items.
Who can apply:
- Groups with an annual income under £125,000 can apply for grants between £500 and £7,500.
- Organisations with an income between £125,000 and £250,000 may apply for grants of up to £15,000.
Up to 10% of the grant can be used to cover delivery costs.
The fund is open on the Corra Foundation website. The fund will close once all funding has been fully allocated.
Apply at Corra Foundation: Household Hardship Fund
Grow Wild - Youth Grants
Grants of £500 to young people (aged 16 to 25 years) across the UK to deliver a creative project that celebrates why UK native plants and/or fungi are so special.
The project should be original and exciting and focus on UK native plants and/or fungi. Projects need to engage at least 100 other people (either in person or online).
The grant be used to pay for anything to support the project, such as equipment, materials, training, resources, or expert help.
Projects can start in May but must be completed by the end of October 2026.
Applications will be accepted from young people aged 16 to 25 years old who live in the UK and who can find a supporting organisation, such as a school, university, youth club or a local community group, to help them deliver the project.
The fund is open on the Grow Wild website. The deadline for applications is 18 March 2026.
Apply at Grow Wild: Youth Grants
McCarthy Stone Foundation - Dementia Grants Programme
Around 20 grants of up to £7,500 each to help with the project costs of running dementia clubs and memory cafés in areas of high deprivation affecting older people in Great Britain. Carer support courses are also supported.
The fund is open on the McCarthy Stone Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 13 March 2026.
NFU Mutual Charitable Trust
Grants for organisations working in agriculture, rural development, and insurance across the UK to deliver projects and activities across one or more of the Trust’s main objectives:
- To advance the education of the public using research and the dissemination of information concerning agriculture.
- To advance the education of young people within rural areas.
- To relieve poverty within rural areas.
- To promote the benefit and social welfare of inhabitants of rural communities by associating with the inhabitants and local authorities, voluntary and other organisations, to advance education and leisure.
- To promote research into agricultural-associated activities.
- To advance the education of the public using research and the dissemination of information concerning insurance.
Most grants fall within the range of £1,000 to £50,000.
The fund is open on the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust website. The next deadline for applications is 24 April 2026.
Apply at NFU Mutual Charitable Trust
Scottish Government – Climate Engagement Fund
Grants of between £25,000 and £80,000 are available for:
- charities
- community groups
- community planning partnerships
- other 'trusted messenger' organisations
These are for projects and activities that help to build an understanding of the climate emergency across communities in Scotland, in line with the strategic objectives of the Scottish Government's Net Zero Nation: Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change (PES).
The fund is open on the Scottish Government website. The next deadline for applications is 10 May 2026.
Apply at Scottish Government: Climate Engagement Fund
Screwfix Foundation
Local registered charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for projects which improve a physical building (or land attached to it) that is used by people in need.
The funding can be used for the following types of projects:
- improved energy efficient lighting and heating
- installation of new kitchen, bathroom
- installation of a sensory room
- general painting and decorating
- improving safety and security of a building
The fund is open on the Screwfix Foundation website. The next deadline for applications is 10 May 2026.
Apply at Screwfix Foundation
WCIT Charity
Grants of up to £15,000 are available for educational establishments and constituted not-for-profit organisations across the UK to support IT projects and activities.
The WCIT Charity will support activities within the themes of:
- education
- inclusion
- tech for charities
- public understanding of technology, including the development and delivery of new:
- services
- solutions
- training
- apps
- analytics
- AI and robotics, or
- accessibility features and hardware
The fund is open on the WCIT Charity website. The next deadline for applications is 20 May 2026.
Apply at WCIT Charity
Weir Charitable Trust
Grants of up to £25,000 to small charities and community groups across Scotland with an annual income of less than £150,000 to deliver projects and activities that improve the quality of life for local communities.
The Trust will support projects and activities that fall within the following categories:
- sport
- recreational facilities
- animal welfare
- health
- culture
The fund is open on the Weir Charitable Trust website. The next deadline for applications is 1 May 2026.
Apply at Weir Charitable Trust
East Ayrshire Council Community Grants
To check the next deadline date for applications please contact Democratic Services at Council Headquarters on 01563 554400 for further information.
Apply for a Community Grant
Renewable Energy Funds
To check the next deadline date for applications please contact Democratic Services at Council Headquarters on 01563 554400 further information.
Apply to the Renewable Energy Fund
Tincornhill Quarry Fund – Sorn
For further information on application criteria and deadlines please email secretarytqf@gmail.com
Previous funding alerts
East Ayrshire 4 Community
You can also search for grants and check your eligibility at East Ayrshire 4 Community, which is a free service.