Glenkens Community Fund awards over £109,000
The Glenkens Community Fund has awarded a total of £109,433 to eight local organisations following its Spring 2026 decision-making meeting in May. All eight applicants received funding, supporting a diverse range of community projects across the Glenkens area.
Children, young people, and families remained a key priority for the Fund, recognising the significant role this support plays in the long-term sustainability of the community.
Moniaive Playcare received £12,000, helping secure the future of a service that plays an important role in village life for local families. Moniaive Primary Parent Council was awarded £6,270 to fund forest school sessions and transport to enrichment activities for 36 pupils, benefiting their health and wellbeing.
DG Voice received £20,000 to support a 16-hour weekly Outreach & Engagement Officer role for 12 months. The post will deliver inclusive activities, workshops, and support across the Glenkens and District area, helping to reduce isolation and strengthen community connections.
The Fund also continued its commitment to nature and environmental education, supporting three organisations that had each secured significant matched funding from external sources. The awards enabled these projects to proceed and bring new investment into the Glenkens. Lochhill Agroecological Farm CIC was awarded £25,000 to fund a Community Learning Coordinator and a Marketing and Membership Coordinator for one year, delivering an educational programme for community benefit.
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands received £17,500 to improve access and visitor facilities at Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland near Corsock, including path and bridge improvements, a new car park and community events. And Glenkens Community & Arts Trust received £3,000 as match funding towards a Development Officer who will create a Nature Restoration Strategy for the Glenkens.
Alongside these awards, the Moniaive Horse Show received £663 to hire a PA and help support the smooth running of this longstanding local event.
The Fund also supported plans for a Scottish Dark Sky Observatory at the former Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre, awarding £25,000 towards the costs of improving café facilities — a requirement that emerged from local engagement work on the project.
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“Once again we received a wide range of applications which aligned with our goal to support our communities to be connected, resilient and carbon neutral places where people will want to live, work and visit, to bring up families and grow old.”
Delivery of the Glenkens & District Community Fund is supported by the Glenkens & District Trust in partnership with independent grantmaker Foundation Scotland, with funds provided by Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Ltd from its Blackcraig wind farm, and Greencoat UK Wind from its Windy Rig wind farm, both in Dumfries & Galloway.
Eligible applications for the Trust's next funding round are welcome and the deadline for this round is Wednesday 16 September. For more information please visit the Fund Information Page.