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
Council for Voluntary Organisations East Ayrshire - Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
The Council for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) East Ayrshire has received additional funding for the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
As a result, the window for new applications has been reopened across all three programme areas:
- Micro Grants
- Small Grants
- Large Grants
This is for any third sector organisation within East Ayrshire with an annual turnover under £400,000 per year, dedicated to supporting mental health and wellbeing whether you are a registered charity or a small community group working in your local area.
Projects should foster connections, provide early intervention and support those most in need.
The fund is open on the CVO East Ayrshire website.The deadline for applications is 12 February 2026.
Apply at CVO East Ayrshire: Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
B&Q Foundation - Home Improvement Grants / Home Starter Kits
UK registered charities who are working to improve the lives of people in need can apply now for one-off grants of up to £10,000 for home improvement projects that will be completed in the next 12 months.
The funding is intended to improve the lives of people in need by supporting projects that make homes safe, welcoming, and comfortable.
Grants are for essential home improvements and home starter kits – helping individuals and families facing homelessness, domestic abuse, disabilities, illness, or financial hardship to feel more settled and supported in their living spaces.
The fund is open on the B&Q Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 20 February 2026
Apply at B&Q Foundation
KFC Foundation - Community Grants Programme
Grants of up to £3,000 per year for up to two years for youth-focused charities and community interest companies (CICs) across the UK to deliver projects for young people that create safe spaces, offer diversionary activities, and build life skills, to help them feel secure, empowered, and ready for a positive future.
Proposed projects should align with the following priorities:
- Safe Space – A safe physical and emotional environment with trusted adults or peers, safeguarding, and youth involvement.
- Diversionary Activities – Activities aimed at reducing risk factors (eg, ASB, exclusion, substance misuse) and delivered at key times for vulnerable youth.
- Life Skills – Programmes that build independence skills, financial resilience, food education, and employability.
Grassroots organisations with an annual income of less than £400,000 working with young people aged between 11 and 25 living in areas of high deprivation can apply.
The fund is open on the KFC Foundation website. The next deadline for applications is 27 February 2026.
Apply at KFC Foundation: Community Grants Programme
King Charles III Charitable Fund - Small Grants
UK registered not-for-profit organisations with an annual income of between £25,000 and £500,000 can apply for grants of up to £3,000 per year for three years to support projects in the following areas:
- Social inclusion – promoting social inclusion for vulnerable and marginalised communities through projects that relieve poverty, loneliness and other social issues.
- Health and wellbeing – improving the health and wellbeing of people and communities.
The fund is open on the King Charles III Charitable Fund website. The deadline for applications is 11 February 2026.
Apply at King Charles III Charitable Fund: Small Grants
Sasha Foundation
Grants for charitable organisations working with young people across the UK, with a preference for projects that support young people with depression, mental health issues, or those confronting drug issues.
Typically, grants will be up to £10,000 and at most will be for up to 50% of the total cost of the proposed project.
Funding can be used to support new, continuing, or one-off initiatives. Priority will be given to grassroots community groups and small-to-medium-sized voluntary organisations.
The fund is open on the Sasha Foundation website. The next deadline for applications is 1 April 2026.
Apply at Sasha Foundation
Youth Scotland - Rural Action Fund
Volunteer-run youth groups based in rural communities in Scotland are invited to apply for grants of between £100 and £750 to improve their existing youth work provision, or to develop new projects or programmes.
To be eligible for funding groups must have an annual turnover of under £200,000 and a maximum of two Full Time Equivalent staff members.
The group should be wanting to try new things, enhance existing provisions or increase their capacity to deliver a specific project or programme.
The fund is open on the Youth Scotland website. The deadline for applications is 12 February 2026.
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.