GrantRadar

Foundation Scotland

Langhope Rig Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

A community benefit fund paid for by Greencoat UK Wind's Langhope Rig Wind Farm near Hawick and run by Foundation Scotland. Its main grants (sub-fund A) are £250 to £5,000, or up to £10,000 in exceptional cases or for recurring costs over three years, for groups benefiting the Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem, and Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water community council areas in the Scottish Borders. The panel meets twice a year; the next deadline is 8 January 2027.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£250 – £5,000
Deadline
57 days left
8 January
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Groups and organisations working to benefit people in the Ettrick & Yarrow; Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem; and Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water community council areas (Scottish Borders)
  • Applicants must meet Foundation Scotland's standard eligibility criteria: a governing document setting out charitable purposes, with a charitable asset lock and restrictions on benefit to individuals; at least three unrelated people on the management committee or board (a majority unrelated, and only a minority paid); the latest approved accounts (not abbreviated or micro-entity accounts) unless the organisation is under 18 months old; a bank account in the organisation's name with two unrelated signatories; ownership or a lease of at least five years for any building or land project, and independent advice for renewable or energy-efficiency installations; and a safeguarding policy if working with children or adults at risk
  • You don't need to be a registered charity
  • Groups based outside the area are considered case by case if they show clear benefit to residents
  • Outstanding completion or monitoring reports on earlier grants must be in before further grants are paid
  • Individuals cannot apply to this fund (there is a separate Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund for residents)

What it funds

Charitable activities that:

  • Encourage community activity and promote community spirit
  • Ensure adequate access to services for all community members
  • Improve local transport infrastructure
  • Build the local economy
  • Build community capacity and cohesion between groups
  • Develop or maintain community assets

Costs considered include equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities. Revenue projects have no guarantee of ongoing support, and groups are encouraged to work towards being self-sustaining. Recurring costs over three years can be requested up to £10,000 in total.

What it will not fund

  • Applications from individuals to funds designed for groups
  • Schedule 3 Community Interest Companies
  • General fundraising appeals or activities
  • Trips abroad, unless the fund page says otherwise
  • Costs already incurred, or activities taking place before a grant decision (retrospective funding)
  • Repayment of loans or payment of debts
  • The advancement of religion or politics, including the core activities of religious or political groups (religious groups can apply for non-religious activity open to the wider community)
  • Work understood to be the exclusive responsibility of statutory authorities
  • Costs directly related to the sale of alcohol, including refurbishing a bar area
  • Organisations or activities where membership is restricted to particular groups, unless there is a clear and appropriate reason in line with the Equality Act 2010
  • Activities likely to bring the fund, Foundation Scotland or the fund donor into disrepute
  • Activities that conflict with the interests of the donor, such as anti-windfarm or anti-renewables projects where a renewable energy company provides the funding
  • Projects that don't benefit people living in the fund area (applicant organisations can be based outside it)
  • Anti-wind farm or anti-renewable energy activities, including activities contrary to the interests of Greencoat UK Wind and/or NnG or their group companies
  • Activities that bring Greencoat UK Wind, its group companies or Foundation Scotland into disrepute

How to apply

  1. Read Foundation Scotland's application criteria and preview the application questions
  2. To ask for more than £5,000, speak to Foundation Scotland first; do not apply without that conversation
  3. Complete the small or standard online application form and upload your supporting documents by 8 January 2027
  4. A community panel of up to nine local people, meeting in March and August, recommends awards

For under £1,000, apply to sub-fund B through your community council; sub-fund B also covers Hawick & District and Denholm & District, each distributed locally.

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

supporting documents must be received with the application by the deadline.

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