Argyll and Bute Voices

Funding Signposting and Guidance

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Signposting to help you find funding opportunities for your projects

 

Argyll and Bute Council Funding Alert 

Argyll and Bute Council produce a monthly funding alert. The alert covers a wide variety of funding opportunities that may offer funding to support projects shared on the Aspiring Places by community groups.  

You can download the latest funding alert here. 

Groups can also sign up to the Communities and Partnership Team’s mailing list to receive a range of support and information via email that could benefit their community group or organisation.  

As well as the monthly funding alert, the Communities and Partnership team distribute:  

  • Community Development Bulletin 
  • Gaelic Newsletter 
  • Regularly Updated Topic Sheets 
  • Information on Community Planning 
  • Information on Council Assets 
  • Information on Social Enterprises 
  • Information on Skills and Training 
  • Access to Council Support 

You can sign up to receive support and information here by filling out the note of interest. 

 

GRANTnet

GRANTnet is a funding portal that simplifies access to funding opportunities for businesses, local communities and charitable organisations across the UK. GRANTnet is powered by GRANTfinder and brings together local, national and international sources of funding and allows users to search across a huge range of funding sources.  

You can access GrantNet here  

Argyll and Bute Council can support community groups and organisations to carry out bespoke funding searches on GRANTnet. They can also support community groups and organisations to set up funding filters specific to their organisation and the projects they are hoping to deliver.  This helps groups and organisations to find funding that is tailored to projects but also helps them save time when looking for funding.  

If you would like support with GRANTnet, please email thirdsectorenquiries@argyll-bute.gov.uk 

 

Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI)

The Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) aims to support and develop the third sector within Argyll and Bute. The third sector encompasses charities, community groups, social enterprises, and voluntary organisations. The TSI offer a comprehensive range of services to both new and established organisations, including capacity building, funding advice, training, and networking opportunities.  

Argyll and Bute TSI have created a dedicated website that focusses purely on funding and grants. The Argyll and Bute TSI funding website includes a collation of live funds for third sector organisations based in Argyll and Bute that have been identified specifically by TSI Support Advisors. The Argyll and Bute TSI also offers support and guidance to organisations and charities seeking funding. This includes support to find funding and feedback on funding application bids.  

You can access the TSI Argyll Funding Platform here. 

 

Funding Guidance

 

Argyll and Bute Council Grants and Funding Page 

Designed to help groups find their way through the funding maze, this page shows where you can get help to develop your project, information on sources of funding, links to sites that will give you tips on funding and free software, and the monthly funding bulletin, Funding Alert, that has the latest funding information and deadlines.   

You can access the grants and funding page here.   

 

Argyll and Bute Council Community Funding Toolkit  

This Toolkit focusses on what makes a strong project and organisation, supporting you to write successful funding applications. It will help you tell funders clearly and concisely why you should be awarded funding, giving them the information they need to be confident that your organisation is going to deliver the outcomes they want to achieve. 

You can view and download the Community Funding Toolkit here.  

 

Scottish Rural Network Funding Search

Scottish Rural Network has teamed up with SCVO's Funding Scotland to provide a free local, online funding search for your charity, community group or social enterprise. From small grants to funding for big capital projects, they can help you track down the funding you need to make a difference in your community. You can access the Scottish Rural Network Funding Search here.

 

Other ways community groups and organisations can raise funds: 

As well as applying for grants, there are other ways to raise funding for community projects. These include:

  • Crowdfunding - Raising funds using online funding campaigns. There are lots of providers that support this form of fundraising. Some funders work in partnership with these platforms to match fund campaigns. 

  • Community Shares- are a way for people to invest in projects that matters to them.  It’s a way to raise capital for projects and community businesses that local people can invest in. 

  • Social Investment- is a way to raise capital from socially aware investors that want to support community business to access capital that will allow them to develop and grow their business. The Council’s Grants and Funding web pages offer an updated funding search  “Loans for Social Enterprise” 

  • Sponsorship- Funding from specific businesses in return for promotion and publicity associated with your organisation. Even if they can’t offer cash, they can often offer help “in kind” to help save on your costs. 

  • Community Fundraising and Events- Locally organised events can raise small amounts of funds to aid your project and also give the opportunity to raise the profile of your project locally.  Details of local involvement can help strengthen funding applications to larger funders.  

  • Renewable energy community benefit funds- Community groups and organisations can also explore the Argyll and Bute Renewables Community Benefit Map to check if they can access a renewable energy community benefit fund. You can view the interactive map here.  

 

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