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@ayrshire360.com.
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Latest funding alerts
Bòrd na Gàidhlig – Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd
Organisations can apply for up to £6,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months, or up to £12,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months. Individuals can apply for up to £6,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months.
The fund can cover up to 80% of eligible project costs.The scheme is open to third sector organisations, schools and individuals based in Scotland.
The fund supports a wide range of projects that bring people together to use Gaelic, with particular interest in:
- Gaelic events in the community and online
- projects and opportunities that encourage young people to use Gaelic together outside school
- projects that support Gaelic use among families and between generations
- adult Gaelic learning in the community
- Colmcille - building connections between speakers of Gaelic and Irish
Projects must take place between March 2027 and August 2029.
The fund is open on the Bòrd na Gàidhlig website. The deadline for applications is 15 December 2026.
Apply at Bòrd na Gàidhlig: Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd
Cash4Clubs
Not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups and traditional sports clubs can apply for a grant of £2,000. The programme is focused on supporting adult participation in sport. Funding is available to groups that support over 18s only.
Priority will be given to applications from groups working in areas of high deprivation and engaging adults from specific under-represented groups. That means those who:
- are supporting adults living in an area of high deprivation (using the Government Indices of Multiple Deprivation and the Pobal HP Deprivation Index)
- increase access to sport for one or more under-represented groups, including women, people from racially diverse communities, people with disabilities and people from the LGBTQ+ community
- encourage adults who would not usually engage in sport to take part, examples include activities that support physical and mental wellbeing or tackle issues such as loneliness and rural isolation
- address broader social issues for the local community, for example tackling crime and anti-social behaviour or supporting community cohesion
The fund is open on the Cash4Clubs website. The deadline for applications is 1 January 2027.
Apply at Cash4Clubs
Health Data Research UK – Take the Lead: Data Champions Community Grants
Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) is offering grants of up to £3,000 for up to 20 community leaders across the UK.The funding is to design and deliver activities between 8 February and 20 June 2027 that engage communities with the role of data in supporting health and wellbeing and gain skills, knowledge and connections along the way.
community leaders should be working with one or more of the following priority audiences, based in the UK:
- people from low socio-economic backgrounds
- people from minority ethnic backgrounds
- older children and young adults aged 11–25 (especially in areas of deprivation)
- people over 65 (especially in areas of deprivation)
- people living in rural areas (defined as settlements of fewer than 10,000 people in England and Wales, fewer than 5,000 in Northern Ireland, and fewer than 3,000 in Scotland)
- people experiencing digital exclusion
The fund is open on the Health Data Research UK website. The deadline for applications is 2 November 2026.
Apply at Health Data Research UK: Take the Lead - Data Champions Community Grants
Museums Galleries Scotland - Creative Minds Fund
Grants of up to £40,000 to help accredited and non-accredited museums create inclusive cultural engagement opportunities for people experiencing mental health issues.Museums must apply in partnership with an organisation that provides support or services to people experiencing mental health issues.
The partner organisation must be a registered charity, Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, public body or local authority.
Both new and existing partnerships are eligible. Projects should involve participants in creative activities connected with a museum and its collection. They should also strengthen partnerships between museums and mental health organisations, while developing the museum sector's confidence and capacity to engage with people experiencing mental health issues.
The fund is open on the Museums Galleries Scotland website. Applicants are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest between 12 October 2026 and 8 January 2027. The deadline for applications is 20 January 2027.
Apply at Museums Galleries Scotland: Creative Minds Fund
Paddle Trust
Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available and will support:
- public launch and landing platforms, steps, ramps or other physical access points
- improvements to pathway and/or accessible routes to the water's edge
- signage or information that promotes positive behaviour (such as Countryside Code, "Check, Clean, Dry", take litter home)
- designated or additional parking for water users
- works to address erosion and/or create more sustainable access points
- helping protect the waterway environment
- multi-user projects that can benefit more than one user group
- public projects rather than private members-only facilities
Applications will be accepted from:
- clubs, community groups, Parish Councils, Local Authorities or anyone in the UK with an active interest in improving access to water for recreational users and protecting the environment
- organisations or partnerships with local paddlesport groups who will continue to support the use of the improvements on an ongoing basis
The fund is open on the Paddle Trust website. The deadline for applications is 7 December 2026.
Apply at Paddle Trust
Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT)
The funding aims to widen access to traditional Scottish music and help schools and communities develop sustainable pipe band programmes.
Grants range from £250 to £10,000 per year and may be awarded for up to three years. Higher amounts may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Awards are made on a matched-funding basis, with applicants generally expected to secure additional support equal to or greater than the SSPDT contribution.
The Trust typically covers up to 50% of total project costs and aims for each school pipe band's delivery plan to be supported by at least three income streams.
Eligible applicants include community groups linked to schools, state schools, local authorities, pipe band associations, pipe bands and voluntary or charitable organisations.
Independent schools may apply where their activity benefits state school pupils, for example through shared resources, tuition or additional workshop places.
Voluntary and charitable organisations must provide relevant governing documents and details of their governing body.
The fund is open on the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust website. The next deadline for applications is 18 November 2026.
Apply at Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums 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
CIT Funding Alert 23 October 2026 (PDF 295 KB)
CIT Funding Alert 9 October 2026 (PDF 332 KB)
CIT Funding Alert 25 September 2026 (PDF 315 KB)
CIT Funding Alert 11 September 2026 (PDF 337 KB)
CIT Funding Alert 28 August 2026 (PDF 303 KB)
CIT Funding Alert 10 August 2026 (PDF 355 KB)
East Ayrshire 4 Community
You can also search for grants and check your eligibility at East Ayrshire 4 Community, which is a free service.