External funds
External funds that may support local guiding
We’ve pulled together a list of Scotland-wide and UK-wide funds that may support local guiding. Each fund is different, with specific eligibility criteria and application timelines so it might take a bit of research to find the best fit for your unit, activity or project.
Before making an application, you should make sure you are up to date with your accounts. We’d also encourage you to let your commissioner know you are planning to seek external funding as there may be local support available too.
As well as the funds listed below, you could check out Funding Scotland, SCVO’s free database which includes details of hundreds of funding schemes supporting small grants, big capital projects and everything in between. The database includes lots of local community funds so it’s a great way to find funds only available in your specific area.
There is also great advice on the SCVO website on how to write a winning application.
If you have success applying to any of these funds please let us know at funding@girlguiding-scot.org.uk.
Alpkit Foundation
Supports projects that tackle issues such as diversity & inclusion in the outdoors, participation, education, conservation and protection of the natural environment and health & well-being. Preference given to projects with long term benefits. No upper cash limit. Applications must be made at least 3 months before the start of a project.
Andy Fanshawe Memorial Trust
Young members can apply for a grant (no specified limit) to develop an existing interest and experience in adventurous outdoor activities e.g. walking, sailing, cycling. The focus is on individual young people not groups, and can be used for things like training, equipment, and residentials. The email application also needs a reference from a teacher or care-worker.
Arnold Clark Community Fund: Cost-of-Living Support
Units that meet within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch can apply for a grant (no upper limit) to support people in their community currently experiencing hardship as a result of rising cost of living. Funding applications must describe their local community and how the money will help them.
Arnold Clark Community Fund: Our Communities Support
Units that meet within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch can apply for a grant (no upper limit) to support local people and communities. Funding applications must describe their local community and how the money will help them.
Asda Foundation
The Asda Foundation supports small, grass roots organisations in several ways throughout the year, such as working with Asda’s Community Champions in store, and through a number of grants. The Empowering Local Communities Grant supports a broad range of activities which contribute towards transforming communities and improving lives, and the U18 Better Starts Grant supports a broad range of activities for children under the age of 18 which contribute towards transforming communities and improving children’s lives, as well as funding to strengthen their volunteering.
Co-op Local Community Fund
Funding supports projects that focus on mental wellbeing, access to food, empowering young people or biodiversity and climate change.
Ecclesiastical
You can nominate your unit, district, division or county (as long as it has a Scottish charity number) to win a £1,000 or £5,000 award. Draws take place at certain times throughout the year.
FCC Scottish Action Fund
The FCC Community Action Fund provides grants of between £2,000 and £100,000 to not-for-profit organisations for amenity projects eligible under Object D of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). Only applications for projects sited within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment waste facility can be accepted.
Firstport Pounds for Purpose
Funding young people between 16 and 26 who are permanent residents in Scotland to create positive change in Scotland. They’re interested in funding projects with a positive social or environmental impact. Grants of up to £500 available for projects developed by the young person/persons applying.
Leslie Sell
Units, districts, divisions and counties can apply for between £75 and £1,000 to cover projects, building work or trips happening at least 4 months after the application is submitted.
Morrisons Foundation
Units open for more than a year, districts, divisions and counties can apply for up to £10,000 for projects that help vulnerable or disadvantaged people. The project should address at least one of the following: tackle poverty and social deprivation; enhance community spaces, facilities and services; improve health and wellbeing.
National Lottery Community Fund: Awards for All
Anyone can apply for between £300-£20,000 to fund projects that do at least one of these things: build relationships in communities; improve local places and spaces; help people reach their potential by supporting them at the earliest possible stage; support people or communities impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. Priority given to smaller organisations with limited income.
Robert Hall Foundation
Units, districts, divisions and counties can apply for up to £10,000 for projects that focus on supporting young people. The fund won’t cover regular costs.
Rotary clubs
There are nearly 200 Rotary clubs in Scotland, working to help their local communities and those in the wider world. To find out funding available through Rotary Clubs, speak to a representative of your local club.
To see your local Rotary Club:
Supermarket community champions
Most supermarkets have a community champion, who can provide advice on funding, running recruitment stalls, bag packing with young members, or putting up posters. In store, ask to speak to the community champion or ask for their email address, and see how they can support your unit or district. These supermarkets usually have a community champion: Tesco, ASDA, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsburys.
Tesco stronger starts
Tesco Stronger Starts is open to charities and community organisations to apply for a grant of up to £1,500. Every 3 months, 3 local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK. Applications are open to all local good causes, but they are currently prioritising helping projects that support children’s food security and health and local store nominated good causes. This does include resources and equipment for Girlguiding groups.
The Canoe Foundation
Provides funding to increase public access to water, and to protect and enhance natural blue spaces such as rivers and coastlines. A focus on benefitting the wider community.
The Clothworkers’ Foundation
Applications can be made to cover: buildings (purchases, construction, renovation and refurbishment), fittings, fixtures and equipment (such as IT, sports gear, gardening), and vehicles (minibuses, cars and more). You must be able to demonstrate that at least 50% of service users will benefit, and it must help disadvantaged communities (eg social deprivation, disability, racial inequalities, young people facing disadvantage).
The Foyle Foundation
The Small Grants Scheme offers between £2,000 and £10,000 for local charities active in their communities which are delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community. The grant can cover core costs, projects, essential equipment or building projects.
The Henry Smith Charity: Holiday Grants
The grant covers domestic trips and holidays that benefit children aged 13 or under, with preference given to those from areas experiencing high deprivation or disabilities. You can apply for £500-£2,750.
The RDC Foundation
Volunteers under 21 and young members can apply for an Individual Adventure Grant of up to £1,000 towards an expedition, travel or adventurous activity. The individual must have a significant role, not just attend a trip. Units, districts, divisions and counties can apply for a Charity Application for Equipment of up to £1,000 to support people under 21 to have adventures.
The Royal Countryside Fund
Grants centred around increasing the resilience, sustainability and financial viability of rural communities, helping them to develop the skills and solutions they need to survive and thrive. Launching Autumn 2024.
The Rozelle Trust
The Rozelle Trust supports smaller charities, working at grassroots and local community level where the funds will be able to make a significant difference. They aim to support children and young people, those living in poverty, and people with disabilities.
The Yapp Charitable Trust
Yapp Charitable Trust offer grants to registered charities working with their identified priority groups, including young people aged 5-25. Funding must be used to cover core funding, not for new projects, and charities with an annual expenditure of more than £40,000 will not be considered. Charities must be formally established for a minimum of three years.
The7stars foundation
The7stars foundation, looks to prioritise support for young people, aged 16 and under, across the UK who are surviving abuse, living with the effects of addiction, at risk of homelessness, or caring for a loved one as a young carer. They have four funding programmes: Shine Bright, Individual Funding, and Social Impact to support charities that support young people challenged by the issues above. Shine Bright also enables charities to purchase wellbeing, emotional, and mental health support items for the young people they support.
Warburtons Community Grants
Warburtons Community Grants provides small grants of up to £400 to support charitable organisations towards broader activities which improve Health, Place or Skills for families in their community. The community funds are allocated to local bakeries and depots to help Community Champions make the best decisions for their local communities. Grants are decided on a quarterly basis.
Young Explorers Trust
Grants made to young people only – not to groups. The Young Explorers’ Trust offers grant aid to individuals aged 25 and under who are taking part in expeditions or other adventurous activities. The definition of adventure should relate to the background and experience of the applicant.