Community Funds
Greengairs East Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund (Plains)
The Plains Community Fund is supported through the Greengairs East wind farm in North Lanarkshire. The Fund supports community projects that improve people’s quality of life in Plains.
About this fund
Before you apply for this fund, read our application criteria first - you can find this here.
The Plains Community Fund supports community projects benefiting the Plains community and will be available for the operating life time of the Greengairs East wind farm, which is expected to be about 30 years. The Fund began in 2024, and over £30,000 is available for distribution each year.
Grants of between £500 and £1,500 are available.
Purpose of this fund
The Fund will support charitable activities that contribute to at least one of the following in the Plains community:
- Improved physical and/or mental health and wellbeing
- Reduced isolation or loneliness within the community
- Increased access to education, learning and employment
- Improvements to the local environment
- Reduced food or fuel poverty
Grants may support a wide range of costs, such as equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.
Who can apply
Community groups and organisations working to benefit people in Plains and which meet our standard eligibility criteria can apply. You can find these on our Help for applicants page. Applicants must have a constitution and be set up on a not-for-profit basis. They do not need to be a registered charity but the activity or project they are requesting funding for must be charitable/for community benefit.
Applications from groups/organisations that are not based in Plains will only be considered if they have links with groups in Plains and the project benefits residents in Plains.
What we can't fund
Foundation Scotland maintains a standard list of exclusions which cannot be funded. This includes anti-wind farm or anti-renewable energy activities, including activities contrary to the interests of Greengairs East Wind Farm Ltd, and any activities likely to bring them, Foundation Scotland or the Plains community into disrepute. More information is provided on our Help for applicants page. Please note this Fund does not support applications from individuals.
How decisions are made
Decisions will be made by a Community Panel made up of local residents, based on assessment information provided by Foundation Scotland. The Panel represents a wide range of interests and sectors of Plains residents.
Panel decisions are final and there is no appeals process. Applications that do not receive funding awards will receive feedback and where possible, signposted to other sources of funding or advice.
How to apply
Complete the online application form. Completed applications and supporting documents must be received by the application deadline.
If you would like to review the questions you will be asked to answer before starting the form, you can see them here.
If you have any problems accessing the form, please email [email protected] or call 0131 524 0300 and we can help.
If you have already started an application and not completed it, please login here to resume.
Frequently asked questions
My group doesn’t need as much as £500. Can I still apply?
Please contact the Fund Adviser if you are looking for a smaller amount - contact details shown further down this web page.
I need help with the online form. What do I do?
For application form and technical queries call our Central Systems Support team on 0131 524 0300 or email [email protected]
Get in touch
Criteria and eligibility queries
Rachel Searle, Head of Communities and Impact
Useful links
- Help for applicants
- For advice on running your group or project contact your local Third Sector Interface: Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire
- The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) provides a range of useful resources for setting-up a voluntary organisation or running your organisation. It also helps organisations develop their digital potential.
- Additional information and resources about developing a Safeguarding policy include Foundation Scotland guidance, NSPCC's safeguarding checklist, OSCR's Safeguarding Guidance and SCVO's advice.
Previously funded projects
Take a look at some of the projects and activities supported by this fund.