Carrick Futures

Before you apply for this fund, read our application criteria first - you can find this here.

Carrick Futures is supported by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit funds for Arecleoch and Mark Hill Windfarms in South Ayrshire and receives in the region of £500,000 from ScottishPower Renewables each year. However, amounts available for new awards vary, depending on existing funding commitments. 

The fund primarily support projects located within or directly benefiting one or more of the six community council areas of Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Dailly, Pinmore & Pinwherry and Girvan & District. 

Carrick Futures supports a range of community activity in accordance with its own purposes as laid down in its Articles and Memorandum of Association. It is expected that ScottishPower Renewables will continue to make this annual donation for the operating life time of each wind farm.

The membership of Carrick Futures is up to 60 individuals, with up to 10 nominated by each of the six primary Community Council areas. Those members then elect up to 12 Trustees, two from each of the six community council areas.

More information on the fund can be found on the Carrick Futures website.

Carrick Futures can support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Dailly, Pinmore & Pinwherry, Girvan & District.

Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities. You can read our full fund strategy here - this can be helpful reading if you have not applied to the Fund before.

Carrick Futures’ aim is to support and strengthen communities across South Carrick. It supports activities and opportunities that create thriving places where people want to live, work, raise their families and grow old.

Carrick Futures has six strategic priorities to support this purpose. Funding will be used to support initiatives that:

1. Improve access to public services, education and recreation
2. Tackle inequality, including poverty and disadvantage
3. Support good health and wellbeing
4. Provide support and/or opportunities for children and young people
5. Support the sustainable development of community-led assets
6. Foster climate-smart approaches that protect and promote our environment

These priorities are underpinned by a community wealth building approach which provides a proportionate response to local priorities in relation to jobs, business and the local economy.

Two levels of awards are normally 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:

• Small grants: £500 - £5,000
• Standard grants: £5001 - £50,000.
• Large grants: over £50,000. 

There is a two-stage application process for large grants. An initial enquiry form is required. The Board will review the proposal and agree on whether to invite a full application to future rounds. 

Awards can be multi-year in nature, normally up to a maximum of 3 years. If the total request exceeds £50,000, an initial enquiry should be made using the large grant process.

For awards of up to £1,000, a micro grant scheme is also available and administered directly by each of the Community Councils in the area of benefit. Please contact your Community Council directly for further details.

Carrick Futures is run by its voluntary Board of Trustees and has appointed Foundation Scotland to administer the fund and support the Board. Foundation Scotland receives and assesses all applications to Carrick Futures. These are then considered by the Board, who make decisions on all awards. Foundation Scotland also administers all awards and implements any further fund activity that the Board may instruct.

The current Directors are: