Welcome to our funding bulletin – updated August 2025
We hope this page provides you up to date information and inspiration to submit applications to support your valuable work across Inverclyde. Please make sure that you follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on deadline information and funds with short lead in time.
If you are working on an application and need some support, please contact us at funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk to find out about our editing and enhancement service.
Upcoming Funding Events
Our funding advisor, Anne, is offering virtual funding advice through September. This is an opportunity to discuss your organisation’s funding needs on a 1-1 basis.
Spaces are limited, please email funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk to book a slot.
Meet the Funder – National Lottery Community Fund
Joao from the National Lottery Community Fund is back with us on Monday 25 August 2025 to provide support and information to organisations considering applying to the National Lottery Community Fund.
30-minute sessions can be booked by returning the below form to funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk. Please note that you must download the form to complete it.
Inverclyde Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund – 2025 Capacity Building Sessions
Inverclyde’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is now in its fifth year and we will formally launch the programme by 22 August 2025. Managed by CVS Inverclyde, grants will support community groups and organisations delivering services in Inverclyde, that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and/or mitigate and protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health. The Fund is now part of the Fairer Funding Pilot which means that for the first time funding for 2 years can be awarded.
As for previous funding rounds a range of capacity building sessions will be available to provide information on the Fund, as well as support to help organisations new to funding or the Fund to develop strong applications.
Monday 1 September – “Overview of the Fund – learn about the aims and purpose of the funding, eligibility criteria and application process”
Location: CVSI Office, West College Scotland, Greenock, PA15 8HF
Time: 10:30am-noon
Thursday 18 September – “Overview of the Fund – learn about the aims and purpose of the funding, eligibility and application process”
Location: Online
Time: 2pm-3:30pm
Monday 22 September – “How to Complete the Funding Application Form”
Location: CVSI Office
Time: 10:30am – noon
This session is planned to support organisation and groups that have not previously received a grant through this Fund, including applicants who have been rejected in previous rounds.
To book your space at these sessions please email funding@cvsinverclyde.org.uk.
Spotlight On
The Newark Trust – Community Places Fund – 31 August 2025
The Newark Trust is a relatively new grant-making charity, with a mission to fight hardship and disadvantage in Inverclyde. The Community Places Fund is aimed at enhancing local spaces, by making physical changes, for community benefit.
Successful applicant organisations could receive a one-off grant of between £2,000 and £20,000 for physical change projects that improve spaces, enhance accessibility or foster community connection.
Applications are open to charities, constituted groups, CICs, and social enterprises based in Inverclyde.
Please note that the fund is open for applications until 31 August 2025 and a meeting with the Charity Manager is required before applying.
Read more: https://thenewarktrust.org/community-places
Last Chance to Apply – Deadlines until 31 August 2025
The 7Stars Foundation – 8 August 2025
The7stars Foundation’s grants are targeted to further the potential of children and young people who are surviving abuse, at risk of/or experiencing homelessness, caring for a loved one, or challenged by addiction. Various grants are available across Shine Bright, Project Funding, Individual Funding and Social Impact. More information about each grant is available below.
The foundation is currently focussed on charities that are supporting people who are experiencing homelessness with up to £10,000 available for building or indoor projects and up to £5,000 for garden projects.
Read more: https://the7starsfoundation.co.uk/apply-for-funding
Parkinsons UK – Physical Activity Grants for Marginalised Communities – 10 August 2025
Marginalised communities in the UK can apply for up to £3,000 in funding as part of the new grants pilot. The grants will help more people with Parkinson’s from marginalised communities to get active and to engage in local physical activity classes.
Community based not for profit organisations, community amateur sports clubs and community benefit societies are all eligible to apply.
The Weir Charitable Trust – 15 August 2025
The Weir Charitable Trust aims to support Scottish-based community groups and charities to provide services across Scotland to help the Scottish community.
Qualifying categories include animal welfare, culture, health, sport and recreational facilities. Applications requesting funding above £25,000 will not be considered.
Read more: https://weircharitabletrust.com/
Community Led Local Development Fund – 24 August 2025
If your organisation operates within the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Local Action Group area, revenue funding is available via The Scottish Government Rural Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Fund.
Projects must assist in the delivery of at least one GRI LAG priority:
- Encourage and support rural communities and villages
- Address climate change
- Increase and sustain local rural businesses, micro businesses and social enterprises
- Address inclusion, diversity and equality and rural poverty issues (including child poverty, food security and support for working families)
- Create specific opportunities for young people
- Foster partnership working
Read more: https://grilag.com/
Volunteer Support Fund 2025-2027 – 25 August 2025
The fund is for the delivery of a new, or the expansion of an existing, volunteering project in order to encourage local volunteering across Scotland.
The maximum grant is £20,000. This includes a maximum of £6,000 for Year One (November 2025 to March 2026), and a maximum of £14,000 for Year Two (April 2026 to March 2027). Organisations can apply for funding for Year One and Two, or just for Year Two.
The fund is open to all community organisations, including unincorporated organisations and CIC’s, but organisations must have an annual income of less than £250,000.
The National Lottery Community Fund – Supporting Change: Carers – 28 August 2025
This funding is for projects that will reduce health inequalities for unpaid carers, through systems change. Making meaningful and lasting changes to the way things work. So unpaid carers wellbeing is better, and they can stay healthy in their caring role.
Unpaid carers refers to adults or children who look after a relative, friend or neighbour. They might look after someone due to a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or old age.
Community and public sector organisations or partnerships can apply for £500,000 to £2 million over 5 to 10 years. You can also apply for up to £50,000 in development funding.
Read more: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/supporting-change-carers
Turcan Connell – The Pear Tree Fund for Music – 31 August 2025
The Pear Tree Fund for Music was established in 2022 with the aim of the advancement of music in Scotland.
The Fund makes grants to organisations which work to promote classical music and/or the appreciation of classical music, work with children and young people in relation to their appreciation of music, promote/research the benefits of music to health and mental wellbeing, and support m musicians based in Scotland.
Read more: https://www.turcanconnell.com/the-pear-tree-fund-for-music
Programmes with Deadlines
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) Community Path Fund – 8 September 2025
The SPT Community Path Fund supports communities to deliver small capital projects that improve local walking and wheeling networks and infrastructure.
Any community organisation with a constitution and bank account based within the SPT region can apply. Funding of up to £10,000 is available to construct new paths to improve network connectivity as well as to upgrade existing paths to make them more accessible.
Read more: https://walkingscotland.org.uk/our-work/path-funding/
Parkinsons UK – Grants for Physical Activity Providers – Time Sensitive
The Parkinson’s UK Physical Activity Grants Programme supports activity providers, communities, networks, organisations and others to develop opportunities for people with Parkinson’s to become and stay active. Applications can be made for a minimum of £500 up to a maximum of £3,000. Don’t delay as applications will be accepted until all the funding has been allocated.
Read more: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/grants-physical-activity-providers
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust – Round 4 – 30 September 2025
The Trust gives grants to registered charities that work in the UK, focussing on specific priorities every year.
In Grant Round 4, the theme is Refugees and Asylum Seekers. To be eligible, a project must focus exclusively on refugees and/or asylum seekers as its beneficiaries, without extending services to other groups.
Read more: https://austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk/
Mobility Foundation – Open Funding Rounds – 15 December 2025
The Mobility Foundation’s grants help fund organisations to provide services for disabled people or work to make transport more accessible.
They currently have five open funding rounds across these themes. Including better access to mobility aids, better access to active travel experiences and equipment, and support for travel training schemes.
Funding available ranges from £50,000 to £1 million over 1 – 3 years depending on the round.
Read more: https://www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/organisation-grants/
Programmes with Rolling Deadlines
Foux Foundation
Foux Foundation is a private charitable foundation that was set up in 2015 by members of the Foux family. The foundation is focused on helping registered charities in the areas of health, education, youth opportunity and poverty and provides grants for capital, revenue and core costs.
Read more: https://www.fouxfoundation.org.uk/
National Lottery Community Fund – Fairer Life Chances
This funding is for projects that support children, young people and families. Or that help people to be healthier and have better access to support.
Projects should support people experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination, and meet one of the following outcomes:
- Children, young people and families thrive.
- People have better relationships, connections, and physical or mental health
- Funding between £20,001 to £500,000 is available for community organisations and public sector organisations for up to 5 years.
Read more: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/fairer-life-chances
W A Cargill Fund
The W A Cargill Fund is a trust that supports hospitals, institutions, societies and others whose work they believe is beneficial to the community in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.
Read more: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000000Ng5AEAS/w-a-cargill-fund?geographical_areas_funded=inverclyde&page=2
Kells Trust
The Kells Trust benefits mainly smaller charities based in Glasgow and the west of Scotland, particularly those promoting the well-being all older people and helping make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
Applications can be made at any time by emailing mhm@wjm.co.uk. Trustees meet to consider applications once or twice a year.
The Robertson Trust – Small Grants
The Small Grants strand offers funding for registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £200,000
Charities can apply for unrestricted or restricted revenue funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, normally for 3 years but may be considered for up to five years in exceptional circumstances.
Work must be clearly and intentionally aligned to a priority described within the funding themes of financial security, education pathways, work pathways, and nurturing relationships.
Read more: https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/small-grants/
National Lottery Heritage Grants
National Lottery Heritage Grants fund projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK.
The grants can support a broad range of activities and direct project costs, including new staff posts, capital works and repair, professional fees, acquisition of heritage, and more.
Not for profit organisations, private owners of a heritage asset and partnerships can apply for a grant of between £10,000 and £250,000.
Read more: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/national-lottery-heritage-grants-10k-250k-0#heading-1
Cycling UK – Cycling Access Fund
The Cycle Access Fund supports those least likely to have access to a bike and provides capital grants to organisations through five different funding strands. It allows a wide range of organisations to apply and provides a variety of opportunities for individuals to benefit from the Fund.
Enabling individuals to access a bike in an affordable, easy, and convenient way is a vital contribution to reducing health and income inequality. The five funding strands cover individual bike ownership, shared use, recycle, repair, and cycle parking and storage.
Read more: https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-access-fund
Funding for Social Enterprise
Firstport – Build It – 25 September 2025
Build It aims to help early-stage social enterprises working towards becoming financially sustainable. It offers up to £40,000 in grant funding for salary costs so that the new jobs help the enterprise increase its income, become financially sustainable and continue to deliver social impact without relying on grant funding.
Read more: https://www.firstport.org.uk/funding/social-entrepreneurs-fund-build-it/
Firstport – Community Enterprise Fund – No Deadline
The Community Enterprise Fund is a funding programme that helps community organisations to start trading or set up social enterprises in Scotland. It offers grants of up to £5,000, to be spent over six months. Funding comes from the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund (SEF).
Read more: https://www.firstport.org.uk/funding/community-enterprise-fund/
Non-Grant Support
GSK Impact Awards
The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding, training and development for charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing.
The awards are judged by a prestigious panel of judges and provide national recognition for the winning charities. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £4,000 to £50,000. In addition, the training and development is valued at a further £13,500.
Read more: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/projects/gsk/impact-awards
SURF Awards
The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding, training and development for charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing.
The awards are judged by a prestigious panel of judges and provide national recognition for the winning charities. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £4,000 to £50,000. In addition, the training and development is valued at a further £13,500.
Read more: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/projects/gsk/impact-awards