Applications open for £100,000 community benefit fund launched by Haventus
A new funding pool to support communities around Ardersier Port will now accept applications for grants of up to £10,000.
The creation of the Haventus Community Benefit Fund was announced in February this year, with the company committing to provide £100,000 each year to local community groups and activities over the next decade.
Applications are now open for initiatives from within the community council areas of Ardersier and Petty, Cawdor, Croy and Culloden Moor and West Nairn and Suburban.
Lewis Gillies, Haventus CEO said: “It’s great news that the fund is now ready to disburse grants for projects important to communities near our Energy Transition Facility.
“I realise how much work has gone into the fund from community representatives and Foundation Scotland to get us to this point, and now the reward for this effort will hopefully be seen in how the fund can respond to local needs in a meaningful way.”
The fund, which is administered by Foundation Scotland, has two tiers that local groups can apply to - small grants of between £200 and £1000, and large grants of up to £10,000.
Applications to the small grants programme can be submitted at any time, and large grants will be open for applications four times each year - the deadline for the next round of funding for community organisations is September 30.
Debbie Herron, community funds advisor at Foundation Scotland, noted the importance of locally available funding: “The opportunity provided by this funding will make a big difference to local groups by supporting a range of projects and activities. If anyone is unsure about what they can apply for, we are very happy to discuss project ideas.
“All awards from the fund are decided by a panel, which is made up of people who live, work or volunteer in the four community council areas. The Panel Members will use their local knowledge and passion to ensure that awards are making a direct impact in the community.”
The recruitment for a community panel is currently underway and will close on September 1.
More information on how to apply for the grant or to become a member of the panel, you can visit the dedicated page on Foundation Scotland’s website or contact deborahherron@foundationscotland.org.uk.
