Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company

They support projects under six priority headings: Education & Lifelong Learning, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage & Culture, Transport, Environment, and Regeneration & Housing. Funding can cover project delivery, equipment, capital works, events, training, and travel. For constituted community groups, grants are available for a wide range of activities that benefit rural communities. Individuals can apply for community benefit projects that serve the local public. The apprenticeship scheme supports businesses in the area by funding salaries, training, and travel for new apprentices, prioritising businesses that stimulate local ideas, offer key services, and strengthen the economy. All funded work must take place within the Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Council area, with the apprenticeship scheme also extending to neighbouring community trust areas. The funder’s flexible approach allows for a variety of local initiatives.

The funder gives to constituted community groups, individuals proposing community benefit projects, students from the local area, and social enterprises seeking to employ apprentices. For group grants, organisations must be constituted and based in the Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Council area. The community benefit grant is open to individuals for projects that benefit the local community. Student grants help young people with travel, books, and equipment, while the apprenticeship scheme supports local businesses that employ a local person. Registered charities and community groups are not eligible for the community benefit or student grants, and individuals cannot apply for group grants. The apprenticeship scheme excludes individuals, registered charities, and schools.

The funder does not support individuals through the group grant programme. The community benefit grant and student grant are not available to registered charities or constituted community groups. The apprenticeship scheme excludes individuals, registered charities, and schools, and is not intended to replace existing schemes run by industry or Skills Development Scotland. Student grants are not available to apprentices already supported through the company’s own apprenticeship scheme. All funding is restricted to projects within the defined local area; applications for work outside this area are not considered.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and considered at regular directors’ meetings. The funder offers one-off grants for most programmes, with the apprenticeship scheme supporting multi-year placements. They fund project costs, equipment, and capital works, and for apprenticeships also cover salaries, training, and travel. Match funding is not required for the apprenticeship scheme. The funder welcomes unsolicited applications and makes local decisions, reflecting its community-led character.