What is Annandale & Nithsdale Community Benefit Company (ANCBC), and who is it for?
ANCBC is funded by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit fund for Harestanes Windfarm in Dumfries and Galloway. The fund supports projects located within or directly benefiting one or more of 42 community council areas in Annandale, Nithsdale and Dumfries. Applications must benefit one or more of the communities, which are geographically defined by community council boundaries. Please note that not all Annandale, Nithsdale and Dumfries areas are eligible to apply. For a complete list of those within the ANCBC curtilage, please click here for a list of the 42 Community Council areas. If you’re unsure of the community council area/s for your project, please call our office (details at end) to discuss your geographic eligibility.
How is ANCBC managed, and who makes decisions about it?
ANCBC is a company limited by guarantee, with a voluntary board of up to twelve directors elected from the membership. Members are nominated by each of the established community councils.
ANCBC administration is provided on behalf of the ANCBC Board by Foundation Scotland, a national grant-making charity. The Foundation receives and processes applications on behalf of the company and supports the ANCBC Board, which decides on grant awards from the fund.
How much is available?
Overall, the fund value is approximately £350,000 annually. Amounts available will vary from round to round as awards are made. Where funds are limited for a particular round, funding decisions may be given in principle, subject to fund availability.
Who can apply for an award?
Applicants must normally fulfil the following conditions to apply to the fund:
- The proposal is for projects or activities consistent with the overall purpose of ANCBC;
- Applicants have a signed constitution (governing document or set of rules) and are set up on a not-for-private-profit basis. However, applicants do not need to be registered charities to apply.
- Applicants must have a bank account with non-related signatories.
- Applicants must provide their latest set of accounts, or if the group has been operating for less than one year, they should provide a cash-flow projection.
- More than one application can be made annually, but the Board will not prioritise further applications where an award has already been granted in that year.
- Awards can be multi-year in nature, up to a maximum of three years. The total amount requested per project over the years should not exceed £20,000. Projects should be distinct in nature.
What sizes of awards are available?
Three levels of awards are available for activities that benefit the local community. The amount and type of information required from applicants differ depending on the size of the application being made.
a) Small grants: £500 – £2,000: No match funding is required.
b) Small grants: £2,001 – £5,000: A minimum of 25% match funding is required.
c) Large grants £5,001 – £20,000: A minimum of 50% match funding is required.
A local grant scheme is also available and administered directly by community councils. Please contact your community council directly for further details on small grants. If your area does not have a community council, please apply to the main fund. More information is available on the Community Council Grants page
What are the deadlines and timescales?
The fund operates approximately three rounds per year; current dates are available on the Main Fund Page
What will ANCBC support?
ANCBC will support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the area of benefit. You do not need to be a registered charity to apply.
Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities, including equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets.
It should be possible for local people to become members of your organisation or access your services without undue restriction, including cost.
Applications that address any of the following issues are particularly welcomed:
- Community facilities, services, transport, open spaces, affordable housing, community development, reduction of poverty, and care of the elderly
- Community or local events
- Environmental projects – including climate change reduction and progress towards net-zero carbon emissions
- Heritage
- Enterprise to generate skills, employment, and tourism; reducing poverty, isolation, and disadvantage; improving rural business opportunities; building the capacity of community and voluntary organisations; supporting innovation and social enterprise
- Sport, recreation, and improving the health and well-being of residents
- Youth and education, providing training opportunities and support for vulnerable youngsters
- Promoting care and support of vulnerable people; improving community safety; minimising isolation, and maximising well-being.
What other criteria apply to the fund?
The following additional criteria will be considered:
- Match funding is required for all awards above £2,000. This helps to lever-in additional funds from elsewhere, which makes our contribution go further. It might also include applicants’ own funds or fundraising efforts, which often promote community spirit.
- Local suppliers should be used wherever possible. Obviously, it is understood that there will be occasions when there is no local supplier or specialised items of the required quality. Care for our environment should be a priority, as above, in minimising the carbon footprint of supplies. Reducing the environmental impact of projects could include minimising waste, ensuring sustainability, and using recyclable or biodegradable materials.
- Local consultation among intended beneficiaries should be able to demonstrate local support for the proposal.
- Partnership working adds value to projects and often prevents duplication. Applicants should consider working with voluntary, private, or public sector bodies that operate at the local, regional, or national level.
What cannot be supported?
Awards cannot support the following types of activity:
- The advancement of religion or party politics (including requests to support the core activities of religious or political groups)
- Activities understood to be the primary responsibility of statutory authorities
- Projects benefiting primarily residents outwith the Area of Benefit (determined by the community council boundaries)
- Activities likely to bring ANCBC, SPR, Foundation Scotland, the communities, or any other companies or donors contributing to the fund into disrepute
- Anti-renewable energy or anti-windfarm activities
- Investment in a commercial wind farm.
- Retrospective funding (i.e., paying for costs incurred before a decision on an application to the fund for support has been made)
- The repayment of loans or payment of debts.
- Individuals or private businesses, unless the wider public benefit can be clearly demonstrated (n.b. does not apply to local grants distributed by member community councils).
How can I apply?
You can apply online via https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/ancbc or contact the programme administrator at Foundation Scotland at 0131 524 0300 or email grants@ancbc.co.uk
What if I have more questions?
We welcome pre-application inquiries. For further advice or information on ANCBC or to discuss your project proposal informally before you apply, please contact Foundation Scotland:
Foundation Scotland, T: 07718 769060 E:sam@foundationscotland.org.uk