Grants of up to £5,000 are available under the following 2 areas:
Emergency Response
This is intended to equip organisations to deal with the changes required because of the Covid-19 outbreak, to provide – so far as possible – the seamless provision of services. We do not anticipate that many new applications will fall into this stage, but also recognise that this may change especially if there is a ‘second wave’ of infections. For example:
- Maintaining existing service provision by:
- Moving service provision on-line
- Developing new methods of service delivery that do not require face to face contact
- Unrestricted funding to cover a temporary shortfall in income on which the organisation previously relied. For example, a loss of income from charity shops, sales, or membership fees.
- The provision of additional support services, or occasionally additional staff hours, where demand is increased directly because of the pandemic, where these are in line with the existing substantive work of the organisation.
- The development of a new service to address specific issues arising from Covid-19 regulations. (E.g. an online chat facility for women unable talk in private as they cannot easily leave the house due to lockdown regulations.)
Recovery and Resilience
Funding under this heading is intended to support organisations adapting their normal working practices to conform to any Government guidelines relating to Covid-19, whilst continuing to meet the needs of the women and girls they work with. Organisational recovery and resilience may sometimes include the type of issues occurring in the emergency response stage. But additionally, could cover:
- Longer-term adjustments needed to meet new practices that are required for effective infection control, beyond the period of lockdown.
- The provision of additional hours on a temporary basis, e.g. to allow two small groups to meet instead of one large group.
- Meet ongoing loss of income to allow organisations a breathing space to recover their initial position.
We will fund projects which meet our criteria. This includes projects which
- Strengthen the women’s sector in Scotland
- Increase women and girl’s participation in society
- Improve women and girl’s skills, confidence, health and well-being
- Empower women and girls in any aspect of their lives
- Promote leadership and innovation by women and girls
Our aim is to be as flexible as possible to encourage innovation.
Before you proceed, please ensure that you can answer YES to the following questions:
- Have you provided a copy of your constitution or other governing document alongside your application?
- Do you have at least three unrelated members on your management committee or board?
- Do you have independently examined and verified annual accounts or a projection of income and expenditure? (a projection is only appropriate if you are in your first year of operation)
- Is your income less than £1,000,000 in your most recent annual accounts?
- Do you have a bank account in the name of your group?
- Do you have at least two unrelated cheque signatories required to sign your group’s cheques?
- Do you have a child and vulnerable adult policy? (If you work/intend to work with vulnerable adults/children you will need to provide this with your application.)
- Organisations with an annual income of more than £1,000,000 (priority is given to those with an income of less than £500,000)
- Statutory organisations
- Work in schools, during school/lesson hours
- Individuals
- Grant requests for less than 25% (one quarter) of the project costs (e.g. if you are requesting £5000, the total project costs cannot be more than £20,000)
- Costs already incurred or activities which will take place before we have made a decision on funding (retrospective funding)
- Trips abroad
- The purchase of second hand vehicles
- General fundraising appeals or activities
- Projects which do not benefit women and girls in Scotland
- Projects which are currently in receipt of a Women’s Fund for Scotland award (you will need to wait for eight months from the date your grant is approved prior to re-applying)
- Projects primarily targeted at girls under the age of 12
- Projects for mixed groups (i.e. males and females)
- Uniformed, political, or religious organisations except where they are running a project which would otherwise be eligible, and which does not promote any religion or a political purpose. (For example, a project promoting women’s participation in the political process may be eligible where it is for women of all political persuasions.)
In 2020 there will be one round, the deadline for receiving completed application forms and supporting documentation by 4pm on the 10th of August 2020.
Decisions will be communicated the week of the 28th of September so please note your project cannot start incurring costs related to this application before this date.
Please make sure you have read our funding page, specifically the sections about our priorities and awards
Please read the guidelines prior to completing the online application form
