It can be time consuming looking through countless pages trying to find a funding programme that’s the right fit for your group.
So we thought we would you a quick and straight forward run down of our available funding programmes here in Scotland – all in one page!

National Lottery Awards for All Scotland (£300 – £10,000)
This grant covers a broad range of projects that bring communities together, improve places or support people. It can also fund some sports projects.
It can cover things like:
- One off events, staff and volunteer costs, travel expenses, equipment, minor refurbishment and running costs.
It’s unlikely to fund:
- Trips overseas, school activities that don’t involve the wider community, religious or political activities.
Key points:
- If eligible, you need to show meaningful involvement with your community.
- We aim to get you a decision within 12 weeks from when we receive your application form.
You can complete this application form online.
Young Start (£10,000 – £100,000)

This can fund projects working with children and young people (aged 8-24) around one or more of the following themes:
- physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
- connections with the wider community
- access to new skills and training opportunities
Key Points:
- Activity needs to be led by young people who should be involved in the development, design and delivery.
- Money for this fund comes from dormant bank accounts, not from the National Lottery.
- We aim to get you a decision within 3 months from when we receive your application form.
- You no longer have to wait 2 years before you re-apply.
Find further details about Young Start funding on our website.
Community Led (£10,000 – £150,000)
This supports community organisations deliver activity to improve local places and the wellbeing of people who live there.
It can cover things like:
- Staff costs, running costs of an organisation, volunteer expenses and training, events and activities.
Key points:
- Up to £50k capital is available, however we are unlikely to fund a capital only application.
- Applicants need to be organisations based in their local area and run by local people.
- We aim to get you a decision within 3 months from when we receive your application form.
Find further details about Community Led funding on our website.
Community Led will close to applications on 30 September 2022.
Improving Lives (£10,000 – £200,000)
This is aimed at helping people overcome specific challenges and become more resilient.
It can fund activity that is focused on one or more of the following themes:
- children, young people and families in challenging circumstances
- abuse
- loss, isolation or loneliness
- discrimination
- financial hardship
We aim to get you a decision within 3 months from when we receive your application form.
Find further details about Improving Lives funding on our website.
Improving Lives will close to applications on 30 September 2022.
Scottish Land Fund (up to £1 million)

This Scottish Government programme that we run in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
It can support rural or urban community-led organisations that want to take ownership of land assets (e.g. forestry), land rights or buildings that are important to their local community.
Unlikely to fund:
- Refurbishment or building costs, or other capital costs other than purchase.
Note: This is a two stage application process.
Find further details about the Scottish Land Fund on our website.
Got any questions?
So that’s a whistle stop tour of all of The National Lottery Community Fund’s open funding programmes in Scotland.
We are always happy to talk to you about your projects and answer any questions so get in touch!
If you would like to know more about any of these programmes you can contact us on:
0300 123 7110
Or
advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
You can find all of our open funding programmes on our website.
Find out what funding is available for your project through @TNLComFundScot. Their latest blog gives you a simple guide to what funding programmes they have open.
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