FOCUS ON – FUNDING

Shared Care Scotland Short Breaks Fund
The purpose of the Short Breaks Fund is to increase the range, availability and choice of short breaks for unpaid carers and those they care for across Scotland. The Creative Breaks programme provides 12 month grants to third sector organisations to develop and deliver short breaks projects and services for carers of adults and young carers and people they care for. Access the fund

CARES: Community Buildings Fund
The Community Building Fund, part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), provides grants to help community organisations reduce their building’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It does this by funding the installation of renewable technologies like heat pumps, battery storage, and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, as well as some energy efficiency measures. Access the fund 

Kelly Family Charitable Trust
Charities that support families or individuals facing family-related problems such as domestic abuse, separation, mental health challenges, addiction, or financial hardship, etc can apply for grants of up to £5,000. This funding can be used for core costs like staff salaries or utility bills, revenue costs such as running support groups or training volunteers, and capital costs including purchasing equipment or refurbishing a family centre. Grants are awarded twice a year, with the next deadline to apply being 1 September 2026. The funding is provided by the Kelly Family Charitable Trust, which usually supports smaller charities with an income under £500,000 but may also consider larger organisations working on innovative pilot projects. Newer charities are especially encouraged to apply, to help them develop and grow. https://kfct.org.uk/

Whole Family Wellbeing Fund
A £20 million fund for charities to deliver help that is tailored to the specific needs of families living in poverty or at risk of poverty. This will help them connect with the services and support in their communities that can make a difference. The third Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, ‘Bringing Hope, Building Futures‘, sets out that Whole Family Support means making sure families get the right support: when they need it, where they need it and for as long as they need it. Third sector organisations or partnerships can apply for a share of £20 million in funding for 2026/27. We expect that funding will continue and move to a multi-year basis from 2027/28, subject to future confirmation. Applications close at midnight on Thursday 7 May. https://www.gov.scot/publications/whole-family-support-third-sector-delivery-fund/pages/overview/

The Matthew Good Foundation
The Matthew Good Foundation has opened the next round of its Grants for Good Fund. The aim is to support small charities, not-for-profit groups, and social entrepreneurs passionate about making a difference for people, their communities, and the environment. The Fund will share £15,000 between five shortlisted projects every three months, which will be voted for by John Good Group employees. The project that receives the most votes will receive a grant of £5,000, second place £3,500, third place £2,500, and fourth and fifth place, both receiving £2,000. As well as established projects and charities, the Foundation wants to hear from people with innovative ideas that need some funding to get their projects up and running. To be eligible, applicants must have had an income of less than £50,000 in the last 12 months. Funding is awarded every three months and the deadline for the next funding round is the 15 June 2026. Access the fund

Action Earth is accepting new applications for 2026 
Volunteering Matters Action Earth helps communities to respond to the devastation in our natural world and our climate crisis. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, their £250 grants support volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities in practical outdoor activities in green spaces and built-up areas in Scotland’s cities, towns and villages. Volunteering Matters Action Earth nature grants will enable groups to run practical environmental activities which make improvements to local biodiversity. This could include creating or improving community gardens, shared greenspaces, wildflower meadows, ponds, community woodlands and other wildlife homes and habitats. All projects must be completed and have submitted their feedback by Saturday 28th February 2027. Before applying, please check their guidance on what they can and cannot fund here