Arran CVS - Funding

Arran CVS can help your group to assess its financial position, what sort of funding you need, identify sources, prepare to make an application and we'll even provide references for funding bids (where appropriate). Contact jim.nichols@arrancvs.org.uk for more details or to arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements. To get you started look at:-

Funding Links
A selection of useful links to funding websites can be found on Arran CVS - Funding Links.

Funding Downloads
A selection of useful guides on funding can be found on our Managing Money Page.

NEWS BULLETIN
Youth Scotland	Cashback for Communities offers a Small Grants Scheme, making use of funds recovered from criminal activity to support local youth groups. Grants are available to groups who are members of Youth Scotland or one of 5 other partner organisations, up to £2000. 1st March and 1st June 2012 are the next deadlines for applications. For information, view the Flyer here.
Cycling Scotland	Following the recent announcement by Scottish Minister for Housing and Transport Keith Brown MSP, applications for Cycling Scotland's Cycle Friendly & Sustainable Communities Fund are now open. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community-led projects aiming to increase the number of trips made by bicycle. Projects that can demonstrate a shift to trips by bike and a reduction in carbon emissions are encouraged to apply for the funding. Full details, including application form, can be found at http://www.cyclefriendlycommunities.co.uk/ The deadline for applications to go before the first selection panel is the 20th November 2011. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal ahead of submission - contact Christopher Johnson from Cycling Scotland on 0141 229 5353.
Scotland's Islands	This funding stream for Spring 2011 to Spring 2012 is an ERDF fund in association with Highland and Islands Enterprise, Awards for All, Events Scotland and the 6 Local Authorities where the funding is aimed (Argyll and Bute, Highland, North Ayrshire, Orkney, Shetland, and the Western Isles). The themes, or areas at which the funding will be directed, are Arts and Creativity, Natural Environment, Food and Drink, Language and Heritage, with the overall objective being to promote Scotland's Island cultures. Criteria apply, and rules exist where previous funding has been received. The Local Area Fund will cover smaller projects, and the Events Scotland budget will cover flagship projects and events. Full information can be found on the Scotland's Islands pages. Please note that the 12th November deadline applies to projects intended to be delivered between April and June 2011. Later deadlines will apply for projects aimed at later in the calendar.
Rural Funding	The Scottish Government have released their latest download of useful funding links. It contains local contacts for funds such as LEADER and Rural Priorities, and many more.
Big Information Tour	If you've questions about the new funding portfolio, or just want to know more about the Big Lottery Fund and how it could benefit you, a team of dedicated advisors will be on hand in a variety of locations around Scotland over the next three months. Check out their pages to find an opportunity near you.
Big Lottery	The BIG Lottery Fund Scotland will launch new Investing in Communities programmes on 30th June 2010. It has also announced the release, in Scotland, of £50 million to enhance the lives of young people leaving care, and those with demetia and their carers. See this press release for details.
People's Millions 2010	The People's Millions 2010 aims to create chances for people to participate in the improvement of facilities and creative activities in their local environment. Examples of projects funded in the past include community gardens and cinemas, play areas and community art installations. Five awards of up to £50,000 may be made in each of the 15 ITV regional news areas. The fund is now closed to new applications.
Think Big	The mobile phone company 02 has introduced a funding scheme directed at 13 to 25 year olds. They can apply for grants of up to £300, for projects which they have devised to address local issues. The Think Big site has full details.
Cashback for Communities - small grants scheme	The CashBack for Communities Small Grants Scheme supports local volunteer led groups to get positive projects off the ground. The scheme will look at funding: The start up costs of a unit or youth group (up to £1,000) The costs (or part of the costs) of a particular programme of activity (up to £2,000). This can include equipment. The next deadline 1st December 2011, and thereafter every 3 months.
Regional Screen Scotland - Festivals and Audience Development Grants	The Festivals and Audience Development Grant is intended to assist film festivals, cinemas, film clubs, community groups, and other groups who are developing one-off public film festivals or other events which present to an audience. Rural and remote areas will be catered for too, as touring events will be considered. The fund is now closed to new applications.
Rural Direct	A service is available to help community groups in rural Scotland access a range of funding programmes. If your community wants to refurbish your village hall, develop new local services or come up with a long-term plan for community development, then make the most of the funding programmes that are out there. Rural Direct is a free service available to constituted community groups in rural areas throughout Scotland. You can contact the service by calling 0845 838 8598. Calls will be charged at local rate. You can also email your query to ruraldirect@scvo.org.uk or ruraldirect@crofterscommission.org.uk.
Scotland Rural Development Programme - Leader	The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-13 is an initiative which, through the Leader Funding Programme, can help establish and support innovative projects in rural areas. The Leader grant can only be released to eligible parties once they have secured match funding, normally 50% or more of the total project cost. The rules vary for projects eligible to apply to the Convergence fund. For full information contact Sheila McLean, project co-ordinator, on: 01631 564424 or 07760 246574 sheila.mclean@argyll-bute.gov.uk An intended outcome of the Leader programme is community benefit, so public bodies should be considered as possible sources of match funding. A minimum overall project cost of £1000 applies. Check here for eligibility.
SRDP - Rural Priorities	Information on the application process and eligibility for funding through the Rural Priorities programme can be found on the Rural Priorities page. Information on both this and the LEADER funds is available from Jim Nichols in the office (01770 600611), who will be able to direct you to the project advisors. For Rural Priorities, the 'judging panel' is called the Regional Proposal Assessment Committee, or RPAC.