Supporting Communities Fund

Argyll and Bute Council's Grant Funding to Support Local Communities - Maximum award available is £1,500

Argyll and Bute Council's Grant Funding to Support Local Communities

Supporting Communities fund 2025/26 is now open! DEADLINE for Applications is Midnight 26th May 2025

WELCOME to the Supporting Communities Fund 2025/26! Applications are encouraged from groups who meet our criteria - READ ON...

The Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) provides grants up to £1,500 for charities, and constituted groups, including community councils and parent councils Projects must take place within Argyll and Bute. There is only one round of funding per year.

Who can apply for the fund?

Applicants must have an annual income of less than £150,000
Projects must have a defined social or community purpose and be non-profit making.
Applicants can apply for up to 100% of the total funding costs for any project / activity.
Application must be for activities taking place from September 2025 and complete by end March 2027 and be compliant with the Equalities Act 2010.
Applicants must be able to provide the necessary documentation (see Application for details)
Projects must not promote political or religious views
Projects cannot apply to other Argyll and Bute Council Funds if applying to the Supporting Communities Fund for the same project.

We recommend reading our guidance notes before starting your application to familiarise yourself with the process and it's requirements.

Start your application

We have listened to what you have told us - that you would like a shortened online application form which is simpler to complete for the Supporting Communities Fund.

Organisations eligible to apply include voluntary, community, charities and social enterprises which may be involved in Sports and Leisure, Arts and Culture, Social Welfare or Education. This includes Community Councils and Parent Councils.

Paper Copies of the Application Form can be obtainable from: supportingcommunitiesfund@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Note: The Supporting Communities Fund cannot make awards for Capital Projects. Capital expenditure is spend on assets, the useful economic life of which is greater than one financial year. The term 'assets' would not include items classed as consumables - these are goods which are bought, used and replaced, such as office stationery, small tools and equipment, clothing or toys, which would all be eligible for grant funding. For advice on expenditure, contact your local Community Development Officer.

The Council's Community Development Officers are able to help groups who need support in obtaining funding. The Community Development Team can be contacted by email at supportingcommunitiesfund@argyll-bute.gov.uk.

The Community Development Team can also assist with developing new projects, exploring income generation opportunities, identifying other sources of funding, community engagement and evaluation techniques.

Does your community group contribute to Argyll and Bute Council Strategies and Plans?

Find out how we score the Supporting Communities Fund Applications - the Scoring Matrix

Find out more about some of the projects we have funded

Argyll and Bute strategies and plans

The Council needs to account for all Supporting Communities Fund awards allocated and it is therefore a requirement for fund recipients to complete all sections of the End of Project Monitoring Report.

Each project funded has to complete an End of Project Monitoring Form. The End of Project Monitoring Report for each round of funding is reported to Area Committee.