The ANCBC Fund Factsheet provides full guidance for applicants on what we fund and how to apply. Please read this before applying to the main fund.

You can also have a look at what kind of projects have been supported in previous rounds by looking at the awards and case studies on our Making a Difference page. If your type of project doesn’t feature, don’t worry – if you have already read the Fund Factsheet and you fit the criteria listed, you should be eligible to apply. Not sure? Get in touch.

What type of project does the fund support?

ANCBC will support community-led charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities in Annandale and Nithsdale.  Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities.  Projects must benefit one or more communities listed in the Fund Factsheet.

What kind of group can apply for funding?

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 and supply a copy of a recent bank statement.
• Applicants must provide their latest set of approved accounts.
• More than one application can be made per year, but the board will not prioritise further applications where an award has already been granted in that year.

Priority will be give to applications that address one or more of the following issues:

• 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 sizes of awards are available?

Grants between £500 to £20,000 are available.  Grants of over £2,000 require match funding as follows:

  • Grants: £500 – £2,000: No match funding is required.
  • Grants £2,001 – £5,000: A minimum of 25% match funding is required.
  • Grants £5,001 – £20,000: A minimum of 50% match funding is required. Awards can be multi-year, up to a maximum of 3 years. The total amount requested over the years should not exceed £20,000.

Deadlines for applications:

The Board makes fund decisions three times a year.

Future deadlines for applications to the fund are:

  • 15th March 2024 (decisions mid May 2024)
  • 2nd August 2024 (decisions early October 2024)
  • 6th December 2024 (decisions early January 2025)

How to apply: 

Online at  https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/ancbc

Please email grants@foundationscotland.org.uk or call 0131 524 0300 if you have any questions about the application forms or process.

Community Council Local Grant Scheme (CC LGS) 

Established Community Councils in the ANCBC area of benefit have annual amounts of money to administer a Local Grants Scheme (CC LGS). See CC LGS page for full information.