Who can apply?
This funding is for organisations in Scotland that are based in the local area they serve and are run by local people.
You can apply even if you have other funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. But you can usually only have one Community Led grant at a time.
Your organisation should have a written governing document (like a constitution)
The governing document should be clear that your organisation:
- has a social purpose – the organisation must have a clearly stated purpose which benefits the local area in some way
- has open membership – everyone living in the area should be able to get involved in your organisation and the work that it does
- is controlled by the local community – the majority of people serving on your board or committee should be from the local area and make the decisions
If your organisation doesn’t meet the above criteria but you feel it is representative of the people in your area, we are still interested in hearing from you.
You need a board or committee with at least three members who are not related
Related can mean:
- related by marriage
- in a civil partnership with each other
- in a long-term relationship with each other
- related through a long term partner
- living together at the same address
- related by blood.
All companies who apply must have at least two directors who are not related in any of these ways. This also applies to companies that are also registered as charities.
What can you apply for?
We want to support community-led organisations to deliver longer term work as well as shorter term activity such as supporting communities deal with the impact of COVID-19. You can apply for funding for up to three years to improve or continue existing services, or to develop new activity.
We welcome some level of match funding but we can fund up to 100% of the costs of your activity including staff, equipment, premises costs and overheads. We refer to these types of costs as 'revenue costs' and would expect these to be the main focus of your application. However, you can also include up to £50,000 of minor capital costs as part of your overall activity for items such as building refurbishment, adaptations or landscaping.
The National Lottery Community Fund is a Living Wage Friendly Funder. This means that we encourage our applicants to pay their staff the UK Living Wage.
Visit the Living Wage Foundation to find out more about the Living Wage.
