Fundraising
Community groups have several opportunities to seek funding for their projects. Both government and businesses recognise that these groups primarily operate within the community, provide insights into local needs and serve as focal points for implementing improvements.
Parks and open spaces also offer various avenues for generating income for your project or site. Such as:
- internal fundraising events are events such as plant sales, raffles, bake sales or festive gifts
- external fundraising is approaching local business for financial support
- revenue funding is to seek ongoing financial support
- capital funding is to apply for funds for specific projects or improvements
- match funding is looking for funders that match donations made by your group
- charitable trusts and foundations is researching applying for grants
- central and local government funding is applying for government grants available to community groups.
Funding Opportunities
Finding the right funding can make a big difference to your projects. Below are some opportunities to explore for community-led initiatives. Many funds have specific deadlines or rolling application windows, so check their websites for the most up-to-date information.
Once you've found a suitable funding opportunity, please check with your council representative to ensure it aligns with local plans. If you need any guidance, feel free to get in touch with us for support.
Various national funding bodies provide grants and support for community groups, such as:
- Home | The National Lottery Community Fund: projects that improve local communities and the lives of people within them
- Scottish Natural Heritage offers funding for conservation projects. Sign up to their newsletters to be informed of funds available. Search for funding opportunities for your charity, community or social enterprise.
- Funding Scotland: a comprehensive directory of funding opportunities across Scotland.
- Community Grants Fund (City of Edinburgh Council): small grants to support local community projects within Edinburgh.
- Ian Findlay Fund (Paths for All): £10,000–£100,000 (match funding required) to improve paths for active travel and wellbeing.
- Scottish Land Fund (TNL Community Funding): £5,000–£1,000,000 to support communities owning and managing land/assets for sustainability.
- Branching Out (Tree Council): £250–£2,500 for planting trees, hedgerows, and orchards.
- I Dig Trees (TCV): Free tree packs for community groups and schools to boost biodiversity and flood resilience.
- Mushroom Trust: Grants (up to £10,000) for community projects involving public participation and fundraising.
- Grants for Good (Matthew Good Foundation): £2,000–£5,000 for small charities or social enterprises making a local impact.
- Free Trees for Schools and Communities (Woodland Trust): Free tree packs to enhance local biodiversity and green spaces.
- Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund (Inspiring Scotland): Funding for local projects that enhance ecosystems and biodiversity in urban and rural communities.
- Action Earth (Volunteering Matters): Grants of up to £500 to support volunteer-led environmental projects in Scotland.
- Grow Wild (Kew): Grants to support community groups growing wildflowers and enhancing green spaces.
- Community Ownership Fund (UK Government): Capital grants up to £250,000 to help organisations take sustainable ownership of at-risk community assets.
MyParkScotland is a valuable channel for groups, where they can submit projects for crowdfunding and share updates on their activities.
Following these key steps can significantly increase your chances of success:
- start with smaller applications before attempting larger ones
- be clear when you outline what you want to achieve, why it's important, and how you plan to implement it
- identify potential community supporters who can help strengthen your application
- make sure to include key information about your group, the purpose of the funding request and a detailed budget.