Social Investment: giving communities a sporting chance
Our Social Investment team has been on the road visiting some of the inspiring organisations we've supported over the years. From the east coast to the west, they’ve been catching up with projects we've worked alongside since as far back as 2017, hearing about their progress and celebrating achievements.
One of the ways we support communities at Foundation Scotland is through our Social Investment programme. Social investment provides financial support to charities, social enterprises and mission-driven businesses that want to create positive social impact and address local issues and needs.
Unlike traditional grants, social investment is repaid over time at an affordable rate, allowing the same money to be recycled and used again to help others. Foundation Scotland goes one step further, offering a blend of 25% grant and 75% loan. This means only a portion of the investment is repayable, with repayments spread over a term suited to each organisation’s circumstances.
A recent visit to two community sports hubs highlighted how this approach is helping organisations grow sustainably while delivering lasting benefits for local people.
Dundee East Community Sports Club (DECSC)
Based in Broughty Ferry, Dundee East Community Sports Club was formed in in 2007. SInce then, the club has grown into a vital community hub. While football remains at its core, the club’s wider mission is to use sport as a tool for inclusion, development and community connection.
Bringing together ten local football clubs, DECSC offers a pathway from early years through to adulthood, creating opportunities for people who might otherwise face barriers to participation.
In 2019, Foundation Scotland provided £340,000 of Social Investment funding to support the development of the club’s facilities. This investment helped deliver a high-quality 3G pitch, floodlighting and a temporary community building with kitchen and classroom space, creating a foundation for the club’s continued growth.
Today, the club supports more than 1,000 members aged from three to 74, backed by over 100 coaches and volunteers. Its facilities at the Quest Arena include modern pitches, changing areas and community spaces, all secured through a long-term lease.
The club’s impact extends well beyond sport. It supports local schools through breakfast football sessions and after-school care, helping improve attendance, confidence and wellbeing among pupils. Initiatives such as Football Memories support older adults, while walking football encourages participation among those at risk of isolation or ill health. Any income generated through facilities and activities is reinvested directly back into the community.
Irvine Community Sports Club
Over in the west, Irvine Community Sports Club has evolved into a thriving multi-sport and community facility. Founded in 1972 and located at Marress Playing Fields, its 26-acre site hosts football, rugby, cricket, hockey and running, alongside accessible gym and community spaces. More than 1,000 people use the facilities each week, making it a key hub for physical activity and social connection.
Foundation Scotland has supported the club since 2017, providing £155,000 of Social Investment funding towards a £700,000 refurbishment of its ageing clubhouse. The transformation modernised the space and enabled the club to expand its reach, creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for the wider community.
One of the club’s most significant programmes is Time2Talk, developed to support individuals facing challenges such as poor mental health, addiction, unemployment and social isolation. Built around a “No Wrong Door” approach, the programme offers tailored support including employability training, digital skills development and wellbeing services.
Since 2020, Time2Talk has engaged more than 28,000 people, with over 14,000 receiving targeted mental health and addiction support. Thousands more have accessed training opportunities, digital connectivity and devices, helping to bridge the digital divide and create pathways into education and employment.
The programme’s success was recently recognised nationally, with Club Manager Glen Russell receiving the Digital Inclusion Award at the 2026 Digital Health and Care Awards. The success of Irvine Community Sports Club highlights the power of partnership in building confidence, creating opportunities and supporting lasting change. Foundation Scotland’s Social Investment continues to help ensure its impact reaches even further into the community.
These two community hubs demonstrate what is possible when local passion is matched with the right support. Foundation Scotland’s Social Investment funding aims to do more than improve infrastructure and facilities. It is designed to help organisations grow sustainably, respond to community needs and deliver lasting social impact – ensuring communities across Scotland continue to thrive for years to come.
Visit the Social Investment Information Page for more information.