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@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
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Latest funding alerts
Sported - Barclays Community Sport Fund
The funding supports community groups and grassroots sports organisations who are working within the most deprived areas of the UK and are making sport more accessible to women and girls, as well as engaging people from other under-represented groups including people with disabilities, from racially diverse communities and from the LGBTQ+ community.
Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit organisations including community groups, youth groups and traditional sports clubs.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- deliver football, cricket, or tennis activities for women and girls – or are applying for funding to start
- operate in an area of high deprivation
Only organisations located in or supporting people from SIMD areas 1-3 are eligible to apply.Disability applications from groups that sit outside of SIMD areas 1-3 will be considered as long as they groups offer activities for women and girls.
The following funding is available:
- grants of £1,000 which can be split across football, tennis or cricket activities
- Female Coaches for Girls Grants (Football - £160 grant; Tennis - £200 grant; Cricket - £200 grant) to support coaching courses to help increase the number of female coaches delivering sport to girls
The fund is open on the Barclays Community Sport Fund website. The deadline for applications is 22 June 2025.
Apply at Sported: Barclays Community Sport Fund
Corra Foundation
Grants of between £500 and £3,000 for charities and community organisations across Scotland with an annual income of up to £50,000 that work with children and families affected by poverty.
Grants of between £250 and £1,500 are available to unconstituted groups.
The fund is open on the Corra Foundation website.The deadline for applications to Round Two is 7 May 2025.
Apply at Corra Foundation
Jerwood Foundation
Grants to UK-based organisations that focus on making art available for public benefit and promoting emerging talent in the arts.Funding is available for various projects and activities that promote the arts for public benefit.
There is no maximum or minimum award amount specified, although most grants range between £1,000 and £25,000.
The fund is open on the Jerwood Foundation website. The next deadline for applications is 28 May 2025.
Apply at Jerwood Foundation
National Lottery Community Fund - Supporting Change: Carers
The National Lottery Community Fund for Scotland has launched a new funding programme for voluntary, community and public sector organisations in Scotland aimed at reducing health inequalities for unpaid carers through long-term and meaningful systems change.
Grants of between £500,000 and £2 million are available over 5 to 10 years. Organisations can also apply for £50,000 in development funding.
The fund is open on the National Lottery Community Fund website. The deadline for applications is 28 August 2025.
Apply at National Lottery Community Fund: Supporting Change - Carers
NFU Mutual Charitable Foundation
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.
- advance the education of young people within rural areas.
- relieve poverty within rural areas.
- promote the benefit and social welfare of inhabitants of rural communities by associating together with the inhabitants and local authorities, voluntary and other organisations to advance education and leisure.
- promote research into agricultural-associated activities.
- advance the education of the public using research and the dissemination of information concerning insurance.
Funding is at the discretion of the Trust. However, most grants fall within the range of £1,000 to £50,000.
The fund is open on the NFU Mutual Charitable Foundation website. The next deadline for applications is 23 May 2025.
Apply at NFU Mutual Charitable Foundation
Pink Ribbon Foundation
Grants of up to £6,000 are available to breast cancer charities in the UK that assist people affected by breast cancer and organisations that work on breast cancer research and prevention.
The funding is for projects and initiatives that make a direct impact on individuals with breast cancer in the UK.
The fund is open on the Pink Ribbon Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 30 May 2025.
Spar - Community Cashback
Shoppers from all over the UK can apply for a grant for an organisation or charity they feel deserves funding. All applicants need to do is share the exceptional contribution a local organisation has made to their community and what the grant would be put towards.
The fund is open on the Spar website. The deadline for applications is 4 June 2025
Apply at Spar: Community Cashback
The Different Foundation - AI for All
Grants of up to £2,500 and four hours of specialised mentorship with respected leaders in AI. This mentorship provides practical guidance to enhance impact, improve programme delivery, and strengthen organisational capabilities.
The funding is intended to promote access and opportunity for members of underrepresented and diverse communities in AI innovation. It supports organisations committed to diversity in technology.The current focus is addressing digital bias, elevating diverse voices, and developing AI that works for everyone.
The fund is open on The Different Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2025.
Apply at The Different Foundation: AI for All
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.