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
Local Energy Scotland - CARES Community Solar Fund
Grants of up to £80,000 are available to community groups, registered charities, and other not-for-profit organisations across Scotland to support the installation of solar panels and battery storage in community buildings.
The fund is open on the Local Energy Scotland website. Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Apply at Local Energy Scotland: CARES Community Solar Fund
Bank of Scotland Foundation - Empower
Unrestricted funding of up to £250,000 over five years (£50,000 per year) for charities. Eligible organisations must:
- operate in Scotland
- have a minimum of three years of accounts lodged and checked at OSCR
- have an annual income of between £150,000 and £500,000
- work with vulnerable groups
The fund is open on the Bank of Scotland Foundation website. The deadline for applications is10 December 2025.
Apply at Bank of Scotland Foundation - Empower
Henry Smith Foundation - Holiday Grants
This grants programme helps to provide opportunities for children aged 13 years or younger who face financial hardship, systemic inequity or disability to go on a short recreational holiday or outing they would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.
Priority is given to fun and new experiences, such as camping, adventure activities, or visits to the seaside. Trips must take place within the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands.Youth groups and UK based non-profits with an organisational income below £2 million and schools in the UK can apply for a one-off grant of between £500 and £3,000 (an increase of £250 for 2026) to support a day trip or a longer residential of up to a week for groups of children aged 13 years or younger.
The fund is open on the Henry Smith Foundation website. The deadline for applications for trips between 12 January and 30 April 2026 is 10 March 2026.
Apply at Henry Smith Foundation: Holiday Grants
Macmillan Cancer Support - CARE Grants Programme
This pilot programme will fund community-led projects that offer new insights and impact. Grants will focus on three key areas:
- Cultural Responsiveness in Cancer Care - projects that help healthcare services better understand and meet the cultural needs of different communities and remove barriers to person-centred care
- Shared Decision-Making - projects that make it easier for people to understand their treatment options, take part in decisions about their cancer care, and reduce unfair differences in how this happens
- Dementia-Friendly Cancer Care - projects that support people living with both cancer and dementia, improve their care experience, and help them and their carers take part in treatment decisions
Grants range from £50,000 to £150,000. Grants are for either one or two years.
The fund is open on the Macmillan website. The deadline for applications is 23 January 2026.
Apply at Macmillan Cancer Support: CARE Grants Programme
Music for All - Community Project Funding
The grants programme aims to give a helping hand to projects and initiatives across the UK that are seeking to bring music to their communities.
The funding is for groups that need assistance to fulfil their potential in developing truly sustainable music programmes.Groups, schools, any form of educational establishment, community projects, charities, organisations, companies and individuals that are bringing music to their communities in the UK can apply.
The following grants are available for the current round:
- grants of up to £1,500 for groups working with those facing chronic diseases and conditions affecting quality of life
- grants of up to £1,500 for groups working with those facing financial hardship
- grants of between £1,000 and £6,000 for youth clubs and comparable organisations to support mentoring/coaching of local young people outside of their school/higher education setting as well as eight-track software, audio interface hardware, cloud subscription, studio kit, instruments with cases and amps
The fund is open on the Music for All website. The deadline for applications is 14 January 2026.
Apply at Music for All: Community Project Funding
SUEZ – Communities Fund Scotland
Through the SUEZ Communities Fund for Scotland, £200,000 is available annually for the following types of projects:
- land reclamation
- community recycling
- public amenities
- biodiversity
- historic buildings, structures or sites
Public Amenity, Biodiversity or Historic Building projects must be within 10 miles of a SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK landfill site or transfer station.
The fund is open on the SUEZ Communities Fund website. The next deadline for applications is 18 February 2026
Tesco - Stronger Starts
Applications are being accepted from schools and organisations working with children and young people.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- school breakfast clubs
- holiday clubs
- play areas
- food banks
- counselling and support services for children
- equipment or non-statutory services for nurseries or schools such as forest schools, library books
- equipment for Brownie, Guide or Scout Groups such as camping equipment, badges
- services or equipment to support children and young people’s health
- equipment/kit for youth sports teams
Funding up to £1500 is available for projects
The fund is open on the Tesco Stronger Starts website. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Apply at Tesco: Stronger Starts
The 7stars Foundation
Registered charities and organisations across the UK working with young people can apply for funding to deliver projects and work that supports young people aged 18 years and under across the priority themes of abuse, addiction, child carers, and homelessness.
7Stars Foundation offers grants across the following streams:
- Project Grants: One-off grants of up to £5,000 for projects that support young people and align with the Foundation's themes.
- Shine Bright Long-Term Grants: Two-year grants of up to £30,000 per year for innovative, long-term projects that help future-proof children's lives and address the root causes of disadvantage.
- Child Poverty Grants: Two-year grants of up to £30,000 per year for bold, innovative ideas to end child poverty. Grants are unrestricted and designed to strengthen an organisation so it can tackle the complex realities of child poverty and make a lasting, meaningful impact.
- Social Impact Grants: Two-year grants of up to £5,000 per year for charities working to address key societal issues affecting young people, including both direct solutions and approaches that address the wider societal challenges linked to the Foundation's focus areas. In this funding round, there is an emphasis on child exploitation and child mental health.
- Individual Grants: Small grants of up to £500 for safeguarding professionals (such as social workers, lawyers, school outreach officers) representing a young person within the UK, in the care or legal system, who needs some extra help.
The fund is open on the The 7stars Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 2 February 2026.
Apply at The 7stars Foundation
Youth Scotland – Grassroots Youth Work Fund
Youth groups across Scotland working with vulnerable people aged 11 to 25 can apply for small grants of up to £2,000 through the Youth Scotland Grassroots Youth Work Fund.
The scheme aims to help organisations maintain safe spaces and provide positive experiences for young people.
The support is intended for work with those living in areas ranked SIMD 1–2 or experiencing multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) linked to poverty, criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.
The fund is open on the Youth Scotland website.The deadline for applications is 11 December 2025 for non-members and 15 December 2025 for member groups.
Apply at Youth Scotland: Grassroots Youth Work Fund
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.