Foundation Scotland
Could Foundation Scotland fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £1,000 – £35,000
- Where they fund
- Highland (Halkirk & District Community Council area, priority 4km radius of Achlachan Wind Farm), Argyll and Bute (Glenorchy and Innishail (Eredine only); Inveraray; Furnace; Dalavich Improvement Group), Dumfries and Galloway (Annandale and Nithsdale community council areas), International (outside UK), Scotland, South Ayrshire (Ballantrae), South Ayrshire (Ballantrae Community Council area), South Ayrshire (Barr), South Ayrshire (Barrhill)
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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foundationscotland.org.ukAbout Foundation Scotland
Foundation Scotland manages a diverse portfolio of charitable funds, each with its own geographic focus and thematic priorities. Their grant-making is rooted in community-led development, supporting projects that strengthen local communities and address specific needs across Scotland, from local community council areas to the whole nation. They work with registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups, prioritising bottom-up solutions and trust-based relationships. Their funds cover a wide range of causes including community development, education and skills training, employment, environmental action, and support for women and girls. Some funds are place-based, linked to wind farms in Highland and Argyll and Bute, while others are thematic, such as a dedicated fund for women and girls. They also support individuals through education and training funds in South Ayrshire. Foundation Scotland is distinctive for its commitment to community-led philanthropy and its focus on ensuring that local people benefit from renewable energy developments.
What Foundation Scotland funds
They fund community development, education and skills training, employment, environmental action, and support for women and girls. Some funds are place-based, linked to wind farms in Highland and Argyll and Bute, with priority given to projects within a defined radius of the wind farm. Others are thematic, such as a dedicated fund for women and girls. They also support individuals through education and training funds in South Ayrshire. The work they support includes community activity and development, projects that address local needs, and initiatives that empower communities. Geographic scope ranges from local community council areas to the whole of Scotland, and one fund supports environmental work internationally.
Who can apply
They fund registered charities, social enterprises, unincorporated associations, and community groups. Some funds also support individuals. Organisations must have charitable purposes described in their governing document. They prioritise community-based organisations and those run by and for the people they serve. There is no religious restriction. Beneficiaries include the general public, women and girls, and young people, though some funds have specific age exclusions, such as projects primarily targeted at girls under 12.
What Foundation Scotland doesn't fund
They do not fund retrospective costs, loan repayments, general fundraising appeals, trips abroad, or activities that are the statutory responsibility of other bodies. Activities advancing religion or politics are excluded, as are those that could bring the fund into disrepute or conflict with funder interests. Some funds have additional exclusions, such as mixed-sex groups or organisations not paying the real living wage.
How they like to fund
They fund project delivery and core costs, and welcome unsolicited applications. Their approach is trust-based, focusing on long-term relationships with grantees. Some funds are one-off grants, while others may support ongoing work. They do not fund retrospective costs or loan repayments.
How much does Foundation Scotland give?
Foundation Scotland runs 11 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 77 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Online application form
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~24 weeks
- Single-year grants
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 Foundation Scotland funds — and what they won't
Women’s organisations run by and for women; community-based organisations; projects supporting disadvantaged women and girls; organisations supporting women to escape and recover from domestic, sexual, and sex-based violence; organisations with proven track record and long-term sustainability plans.
The full exclusions list (2)
- Standard exclusions from Grant Making Policy: advancement of religion/politics, activities bringing fund into disrepute, activities conflicting with funder interests.
- Mixed-sex groups not funded; organisations paying less than real living wage (£12.60/h) excluded; organisations currently holding a WFS grant excluded (8-month wait); retrospective costs, loans, debts, general fundraising, trips abroad, statutory responsibility activities.
Good to know
How to apply to Foundation Scotland
Foundation Scotland 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.
What Foundation Scotland's application asks
We hold the question from Foundation Scotland's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Provide 3 SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-based) objectives relating to your work with women and girls.”
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 Foundation Scotland could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Foundation Scotland provide?
Foundation Scotland runs 11 grant programmes — Achlachan Wind Farm Community Fund: Up to £10,000 · An Suidhe Wind Farm Community Fund: Up to £9,000 · Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company: Up to £20,000 · Baillie Gifford International Fund: Up to £5,000 · Bairdwatson Charitable Trust: Up to £20,000 · Ballantrae Community Fund: Up to £25,000 · Ballantrae Education and Training Fund: Up to £2,250 · Barr Education and Training Fund: Up to £3,000 · Barrhill Education & Training Fund: Up to £3,000 · Women's Fund for Scotland: Up to £5,000.
Where does Foundation Scotland fund charities?
Foundation Scotland funds charities operating in Highland (Halkirk & District Community Council area, priority 4km radius of Achlachan Wind Farm), Argyll and Bute (Glenorchy and Innishail (Eredine only); Inveraray; Furnace; Dalavich Improvement Group), Dumfries and Galloway (Annandale and Nithsdale community council areas), International (outside UK), Scotland, South Ayrshire (Ballantrae), South Ayrshire (Ballantrae Community Council area), South Ayrshire (Barr), South Ayrshire (Barrhill).
Does Foundation Scotland accept unsolicited applications?
Foundation Scotland accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Foundation Scotland not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Standard exclusions from Grant Making Policy: advancement of religion/politics, activities bringing fund into disrepute, activities conflicting with funder interests.; Mixed-sex groups not funded; organisations paying less than real living wage (£12.60/h) excluded; organisations currently holding a WFS grant excluded (8-month wait); retrospective costs, loans, debts, general fundraising, trips abroad, statutory responsibility activities.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Foundation Scotland?
Foundation Scotland takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
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Could Foundation Scotland be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.