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
Asda Foundation - Local Community Spaces Fund
The Foundation is inviting local grassroots community organisations with an income of less than £250,000 to apply to their new £1.25 million fund.
Grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 are available for projects within the UK that meet at least one of the following objectives:
- Carry out essential repairs to enable the space to continue to function.
- Renovate an existing space to accommodate more users/activities.
- Create a new community space where groups can meet and undertake activities.
- Improve accessibility to, or within, a community building.
The fund is open on the Asda Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 28 May 2025, but may close early if the fund is oversubscribed.
Apply at Asda Foundation: Local Community Spaces Fund
Bòrd na Gàidhlig – Gaelic Officers Scheme
Grants are available to registered charities and community interest companies in Scotland to employ an officer to undertake Gaelic development work in Scotland.
Grants of up to £40,000 per year are available to support posts between 1 July 2025 and 31 March 2028 (maximum grant of £110,000).
The fund is open on the Bòrd na Gàidhlig website.The deadline for applications is 5 June 2025.
Apply at Bòrd na Gàidhlig: Gaelic Officers Scheme
CashBack for Communities
A new phase of the CashBack for Communities will open to applications in June.
This phase will focus on:
- providing safe spaces and suitable activities for young people to combat boredom, frustration, and isolation that can contribute to antisocial behaviours
- supporting young people to understand their value and become positive influences and leaders within their communities
- delivering holistic support for vulnerable young people, including their family or care environment – where a young person may have the potential to come into conflict with the law, support will be extended to family and caregivers
- offering support for young people already in conflict with the law to reflect on past behaviours and work towards a more positive future
Online information sessions are being held on:
- 20 May 2025 (3pm to 4pm)
- 28 May 2025 (10am to 11am)
- 3 June 2025 (6pm to 7pm)
The Fund will open to applications on 12 June 2025 and close on 7 August 2025.
Further information at CashBack for Communities
Co-op Foundation - Future Communities Fund
Unrestricted grants are available to support not-for-profit organisations that are helping young people with experience of the youth justice system to re-build their lives and settle back into their communities within the UK.
Grants of up to £30,000 per year for five years (a maximum value of £150,000 over the five years) are available. It is anticipated that around 10 organisations will receive a grant.
The fund is open on the Co-op Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 12 June 2025.
Apply at Co-op Foundation: Future Communities Fund
Henry Moore Foundation
Grants of up to £20,000 are available for not-for-profit organisations for projects and activities that promote the growth and development of sculpture across historical, modern, and contemporary registers, and research that expands the appreciation of sculpture.
The fund is open on the Henry Moore Foundation website. The next deadline for applications is 1 June 2025.
Apply at Henry Moore Foundation
Inspiring Scotland - Bright Start Breakfasts Fund
The Fund will run from August 2025 to June 2026 and supports the Scottish Government’s priority of ending child poverty.
Funding is intended to enable the expansion of existing clubs and the development of new clubs and will be focused on helping those families who need it most.
Grants are expected to be between £8,000 and £12,000, depending on the location and needs of the community and school.
The following can apply:
- primary schools
- local authorities
- third sector organisations
- registered childcare providers
- activity providers
- parent or volunteer groups
- childminding services – applications can be made for one or several breakfast clubs
The following requirements apply:
- Breakfast clubs should operate at least 30 minutes before the start of the school day (usually for less than two hours).
- Clubs must run during the school term.
- Provision should be targeted at primary school-aged children.
The fund is open on the Inspiring Scotland website. The deadline for applications is 2 June 2025.
Apply at Inspiring Scotland: Bright Start Breakfasts Fund
Local Energy Scotland - CARES Community Buildings 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 low-carbon and renewable energy measures in community buildings and to help support decarbonisation.
Local Energy Scotland is running the following online information webinars on:
- Tuesday 20 May 2025, from 6pm to 7pm on Zoom
- Wednesday 28 May 2025, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm on Zoom
Applicants can register for the sessions on the Local Energy Scotland website.
The fund is open on the Local Energy Scotland website. The Fund will close to applications at the end of October 2025 or when funding is fully allocated, whichever is sooner.
Local Energy Scotland - CARES Community Energy Generation Growth Fund
Grants are available to established and incorporated community groups such as development trusts and community energy and climate action groups to set up renewable energy generation projects, such as:
- installing wind turbines and solar panels
- developing other types of renewable energy generation, such as hydro to meet local needs
The following levels of funding are available:
- Feasibility Stage: Grants of up to £20,000.
- Development Stage: Grants of up to £250,000.
- Construction Stage: Grants of up to 80% of construction costs up to a maximum of £250,000. Or up to 25% of construction costs with no grant maximum cap. Organisations can also apply for short-term bridging loans with a minimum value of £60,000 while securing match funding.
Local Energy Scotland is running the following online information webinars on:
- 21 May 2025 (12:30pm to 1:30 pm)
- 29 May 2025 (6pm to 7pm)
Applicants can register for the sessions on the Local Energy Scotland website.
The fund is open on the Local Energy Scotland website. The deadline for applications is 25 June 2025
Apply at Local Energy Scotland: CARES Community Energy Generation Growth Fund
Radcliffe Trust
Grants averaging between £2,500 and £7,500 for charities, not-for-profit groups, and exempt organisations across the UK to support projects in the areas of music or heritage and crafts.
The fund is open on Radcliffe Trust website. The next deadline for applications is 31 July 2025.
Apply at Radcliffe Trust
Societe General UK Foundation – Bright Futures Grants
Unrestricted grants of up to £50,000 to UK registered charities and charitable organisations for projects and initiatives across the UK which directly support people from marginalised groups to be empowered and equipped to access education and employment.
The fund is open on the Societe General UK Foundation website. The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 3 June 2025.
Apply at Societe Generale UK Foundation: Bright Futures Grants
Tesco Stronger Starts – Cooking for All Fund
The Fund has been created to help improve children’s access to healthy food, have a wider understanding of where food comes from and an opportunity to learn how to prepare and cook healthy and nutritious meals.
Any not-for profit organisation or school within the UK who support young people up to the age of 16 around nutrition, healthy eating and cooking can apply for one of 150 grants of £1,000 each.
The deadline for applications is 30 May 2025.
WCIT Charity
Grants of up to £15,000 are available or 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, IT for charities, and understanding of IT, such as the development and delivery of new services, solutions, training, apps, analytics, AI, robotics, or accessibility features/hardware.
The next deadline for applications is 18 August 2025.
Apply at WCIT Charity
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.