GrantRadar

Foundation Scotland

Caithness Futures Fund

The main grants programme of Caithness Futures, a new community benefit fund paid for by RWE's Camster II Wind Farm and run by Foundation Scotland, for groups delivering on the Caithness Area Place Plan. In 2026 the priority is health and wellbeing, from mental health and care at home to poverty and better-used community spaces. Groups can apply for up to £20,000 a year, for one-off projects or multi-year funding of up to 10 years, and larger, multi-year awards with long-term impact are favoured. The 2026 deadline is 31 October 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £20,000
Closes in
13 days left
31 October
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Groups and organisations working to benefit people in Caithness (Highland); you don't need to be a registered charity or to be based in Caithness, but projects must benefit people in the area
  • Applicants must meet Foundation Scotland's standard eligibility criteria: charitable purposes set out in a governing document with a charitable asset lock; at least three unrelated people on the management committee or board (a majority unrelated, and only a minority paid); latest approved accounts (not abbreviated or micro-entity accounts) unless under 18 months old; a bank account in the organisation's name with two unrelated signatories; and a safeguarding policy if working with children or vulnerable adults
  • Schools cannot be funded, but appropriately constituted Parent Councils can apply
  • Groups can apply more than once but should say which application is the higher priority
  • Applicants should show evidence of community support, long-term impact and consideration of their environmental impact

What it funds

Projects by community groups delivering towards the Caithness Area Place Plan; in 2026 the main priority is Health and Wellbeing, addressing issues such as:

  • Need to travel to Inverness for maternity and other health services
  • Limited access to GP appointments and dentists
  • Need for more local care delivery and potential to bring consultancy services to Caithness
  • Need for access to mental health services, including support for young people's mental health
  • Targeted interventions for identified groups including people affected by drug and alcohol issues; neurodiverse young people (e.g. autism, dyslexia, ADHD); young carers; vulnerable residents; and those experiencing poverty
  • Need for improved care-at-home services
  • Importance of access to coast and countryside for wellbeing
  • Impact of poverty and inequality on wellbeing
  • Need for more accessible, affordable, or better-used community spaces (sports facilities, libraries, community halls), including longer weekend opening hours

the fund strategy says awards can cover equipment, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations and feasibility studies, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and core costs and overheads.

What it will not fund

  • The advancement of religion or politics (including the core activities of religious or political groups)
  • Activities understood to be the primary responsibility of statutory authorities (including teaching equipment in schools)
  • Organisations or groups with unduly restrictive membership criteria, or whose committee is not accountable to a wider group of people
  • Projects primarily benefiting residents outwith Caithness
  • Activities contrary to the interests of RWE or Foundation Scotland, or likely to bring them into disrepute
  • Anti-renewable energy / anti-windfarm activities
  • Retrospective funding (costs incurred before a decision on the application)
  • The repayment of loans or payment of debts
  • General fundraising appeals or activities
  • Costs directly related to the sale of alcohol, including refurbishment of a bar area
  • Applications from individuals
  • Trips abroad
  • Non-constituted groups that have yet to identify a host organisation

How to apply

  1. Read Foundation Scotland's application criteria, eligibility checklist and the Caithness Futures Fund Strategy 2026
  2. Optionally book a one-to-one information session with Foundation Scotland by phone or online
  3. Complete the online application form (questions can be previewed first) and upload your supporting documents, by 31 October 2026
  4. Foundation Scotland assesses the application and follows up with a phone call or email discussion
  5. Foundation Scotland writes an appraisal report and the Caithness Futures Panel of local residents makes the funding decision

supporting documents must be received with your application. If you submit more than one application, you may be asked to confirm their priority order.

Have ready

  • Constitution or other governing document
  • Latest set of approved accounts (unless your organisation is less than 18 months old)
  • A recent bank statement showing account name, number and sort code
  • Safeguarding policy and procedures, if your core work or the project involves children or vulnerable adults
  • At least one quote for each item costing £300 to £3,000, and at least three quotes for each item costing more than £3,000

registered companies do not need to send governing documents or independently examined accounts, as Foundation Scotland downloads them from Companies House.

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