Feisean Nan Gaidheal
Could Feisean Nan Gaidheal fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £250 – £20,000
- Where they fund
- Scotland
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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feisean.orgAbout Feisean Nan Gaidheal
Feisean Nan Gaidheal is a Scottish organisation that supports Gaelic arts and culture through two grant programmes. Its mission is to advance the use and learning of the Gaelic language by funding community-based arts projects, festivals, and training. The funder values non-competitive, inclusive activities that strengthen Gaelic heritage and create opportunities for artists, communities, and young people. They fund work that takes place in Scotland, with a focus on projects delivered through the medium of Gaelic. The organisation operates two distinct funds: Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig and the Fèis Development Fund, each with its own focus and applicant types. What makes Feisean Nan Gaidheal distinctive is its sole focus on Gaelic arts and its community-led approach.
What Feisean Nan Gaidheal funds
Feisean Nan Gaidheal funds arts, heritage, education, and community development projects that take place in Scotland. Priority is given to projects delivered through the medium of Gaelic, those that enable individual artists or groups to create and present work, and initiatives that develop skills within arts organisations or communities. The Fèis Development Fund specifically supports community groups to increase participation, assist families who struggle to fund their children’s involvement, and offer employment to freelance artists. Both funds support project delivery, training, and events, and also encourage international partnerships and personal development for artists.
Who can apply
Applicants can be individuals, community groups, registered charities, unincorporated associations, or social enterprises. They must be based in Scotland or undertaking art work in Scotland. The Fèis Development Fund is open only to community groups. Priority is given to projects that benefit children, young people, and communities, particularly those that increase participation and assist families facing financial barriers. Projects delivered through Gaelic or contributing to its use and learning are especially encouraged.
What Feisean Nan Gaidheal doesn't fund
Feisean Nan Gaidheal does not fund competitions, capital projects, or equipment purchases. They also cannot support work that matches other Creative Scotland or Bòrd na Gàidhlig funds, or projects already funded through the Grants Scheme for Fèisean.
How they like to fund
Feisean Nan Gaidheal offers one-off project grants that require match funding. They welcome unsolicited applications and do not operate by invitation only. Both funds support project delivery, training, and events rather than core costs or capital works.
How much does Feisean Nan Gaidheal give?
Feisean Nan Gaidheal runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 35 sourced facts
- Online application form
- 1 rounds a year
- Decisions in ~4 weeks
- Single-year grants
- Match funding required
- Online application form
- Next deadline 6 November 2026
- 2 rounds a year
- Single-year grants
- Match funding required
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Feisean Nan Gaidheal funds — and what they won't
priority given to work which: • Increases numbers of participants • Assists families who are finding it difficult to fund their children’s participation • Includes new people, or groups, which have not participated previously in Fèis activities • Offers employment opportunities to freelance artists and • Showcases work initiated through the Fèisean.
The full exclusions list (2)
- Competitions; Work funded through the Grants Scheme for Fèisean; Capital projects including equipment purchase.
- Cannot be used to match other Creative Scotland or Bòrd na Gàidhlig funds; cannot fund competitions.
Good to know
How to apply to Feisean Nan Gaidheal
Feisean Nan Gaidheal takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Feisean Nan Gaidheal could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Feisean Nan Gaidheal provide?
Feisean Nan Gaidheal runs 2 grant programmes — Fèis Development Fund (Stòras Leasachaidh nam Fèisean): Up to £1,500 · Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig: £1,000 – £5,000.
Where does Feisean Nan Gaidheal fund charities?
Feisean Nan Gaidheal funds charities operating in Scotland.
Does Feisean Nan Gaidheal accept unsolicited applications?
Feisean Nan Gaidheal accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Feisean Nan Gaidheal not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Competitions; Work funded through the Grants Scheme for Fèisean; Capital projects including equipment purchase.; Cannot be used to match other Creative Scotland or Bòrd na Gàidhlig funds; cannot fund competitions.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Feisean Nan Gaidheal?
Feisean Nan Gaidheal takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
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Could Feisean Nan Gaidheal be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.