Funding Support

For all third sector groups, funding is becoming increasingly hard to source with applications taking up time and resources that could be spent on delivering your services. We can help share the workload by:

  • Identifying potential sources of funding
  • Working with you to submit a comprehensive funding application
  • Advising on monitoring and evaluation systems to report back to funders
  • Helping with project planning and writing business plans
  • Reviewing the structure of your group including governance for financial strength
  • VAO administer a number of funds that organisations can apply to, see ‘VAO Funding’ below for details.

For assistance, please contact a member of the Community Development Team by phone on 01856 872897 or by email:

VAO publish a monthly Training and Funding Update, which lists all current funding opportunities in one place. If you would like to receive a copy directly into your inbox then please email your details to enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk or sign up via the form below.

View this month’s VAO’s Training and Funding Update here: February 2024.

VAO-Funding

Voluntary Action Orkney disburse several funds throughout the Financial Year. We administer a diverse range of awards in support of Orkney community activity.

If you need funding support, or can’t find the funding stream you are interested in, please get in touch with out Community Development Worker Clare Gee, on clare.gee@vaorkney.org.uk.

Please find currently open funds below:

Small Grants Scheme

Third Sector Emergency Covid Fund

“Welcome Back Orkney” Covid Recovery Fund

Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund

Sign up for the latest training and funding opportunities

Receive the latest news on training and funding opportunities available each month by signing up to our Training and Funding email.

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Year Round Funders

There are several other funders who regularly disburse awards throughout the year, and we have linked a selection of these below:

BBC Children in Need- Grant Information Session

The latest @BBCCiN funding programme is now open. Click here to find out how to apply.

The Alice MacCosh Trust

The object of the Alice McCosh Trust is to advance education by providing or assisting with grants for work or study related to natural history and/or the environment. The grant could, for example, cover the cost of a school field trip or project, an expedition as part of a research project or the development of new teaching materials for schools or institutes of higher education.

Minimum: £600 Maximum: £1,000

Resilient and Inclusive Communities Fund

The Resilient & Inclusive Communities Fund is a small grant programme from BEMIS, funded by Foundation Scotland from the Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund, for diverse Ethnic Minority community groups and organisations to set up programmes and services supporting disadvantaged and excluded communities.

Community Climate Asset Fund

As Scotland emerges from COVID-19, we have a chance to build a greener, fairer and more equal society and economy.

The climate emergency has not gone away and Scottish Ministers remain absolutely committed to a just transition to net-zero emissions by 2045.

The Community Climate Asset Fund (CCAF) is a Scottish Government fund, administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Zero Waste Scotland – Circular Economy Investment Fund

The Circular Economy Investment Fund is inviting small to medium sized enterprises and non-profit organisations to submit proposals of innovative projects that have the ability to deliver carbon savings, leverage investment and create jobs.  To find out more, or to apply see here.

Sylvia Waddilove Foundation- Covid-19 Emergency Fund

The Foundation has set up an emergency fund to help small to medium sized organisations who are struggling to manage the financial impact of COVID-19 either because of increased demand for their services or loss of income. The fund is targeted at organisations in a critical position. The organisation must operate in one of the following categories: education relating to non-domestic animals; visual and performing arts; medical research; the relief of disability or severe illness; the accommodation of those in need.

Robertson Trust- new funding

The Robertson Trust offer both revenue and capital funding for registered charities and constituted community groups that help people and communities in Scotland who are living with poverty and trauma

Community Building & Vehicle Grants

Two more Grants from the Robertson Trust

  • Community Vehicle Grants: For registered charities with an annual income of between £25,000 and £2 million, these offer funding of up to £10,000 for a vehicle to support your work.
  • Community Building Grants: For registered charities with an annual income of between £25,000 and £2 million, these offer funding of up to £75,000 towards ‘community hubs’.

The National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland) – Community Led Activity

Funding to support communities to bring real improvements to the places they live and the wellbeing of those in need. They will fund organisations to deliver work that achieves the following outcomes: Everyone in the community has the opportunity to influence and get involved in community led activity; people in the community are better connected and work together to improve their wellbeing. The National Lottery Community Fund is the new name for the Big Lottery.

Funding to Connect People with Others in Their Local Communities

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is a registered charity that helps older people and other adults with a disability across England, Scotland & Wales. This year our focus is about connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. Applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged will receive our highest priority in 2018.

The Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund Accepting Applications

The Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, run by the Museums Association, funds projects which develop collections to achieve social impact

Funding for young people to take part in their communities.

ILF (Independent Living Fund) Scotland has opened an exciting new fund (totalling £5 million per year) for young people who need support in Scotland.

Circular Economy Investment Fund

We are investing £18 million as grant funding to small and medium sized enterprises who are helping to create a more circular economy.  The Circular Economy Investment Fund is a funding opportunity for businesses and organisations in Scotland working in all business and social economy sectors.

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