CalMac Community Fund

About this fund

Please note we can only accept applications from organisations based on the islands served by CalMac, and coastal mainland ports that CalMac operate from. These areas are listed in the table below. If you are not based in one of these islands or mainland port towns, you should not apply.

Caledonian MacBrayne is the largest ferry operator in the UK with 35 vessels serving over 50 destinations across 200 miles of Scotland's west coast. The CalMac Community Fund was established to make a difference to the communities in which CalMac operates, by supporting local groups to tackle local needs. The Fund aims to help people connect with services and each other, especially helping those who are most in need.

Purpose of this fund

This programme will only award grants to organisations based in the listed islands and port towns below. If you are not based in the one of the listed areas then please do not apply, even if you deliver some services in these areas, you are not eligible to apply unless the organisation is based in one of the areas served by CalMac. 

The priorities of the programme are as follows, and please note it does not strengthen your application to meet as many of them as possible. 

1. Improve health, wellbeing and quality of life
Community-based activities that improve physical or mental wellbeing, build confidence and reduce social isolation, particularly for people who face barriers to participation. This may include accessible sport and physical activity, outdoor activities, creative programmes and opportunities for social connection.

2. Tackling poverty and financial hardship
Practical support for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, including access to affordable food and essential household items, together with advice and support that improves financial resilience through income maximisation, debt advice and budgeting support.

3. Stronger, Connected Communities
Projects that strengthen community connections, reduce loneliness and create opportunities for people to participate in community life, particularly groups that are underrepresented or at greater risk of social isolation.

We expect that applications to the fund are able to demonstrate the following:
•    Projects must support people experiencing disadvantage or barriers to opportunity.
•    Projects must demonstrate evidence of local need.
•    Projects must provide direct benefit to beneficiaries rather than general community activities
•    Projects must demonstrate they are not duplicating existing local provision

Additional criteria

You can apply for a grant between a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £10,000 for one year only.

Your organisation's income must be £250,000 or less in the most recent annual accounts (no exceptions made).

Please note we can only accept applications from organisations registered to the islands served by CalMac, and coastal mainland ports listed below that CalMac operate from. If you are not based in one of these islands or mainland port towns, you should not apply.

Clyde North	Clyde South	Kintyre	Argyll	Hebrides South	Hebrides North
Bute	Arran	Islay	Coll	South Uist	Lewis
Cumbrae	Troon	Jura	Colonsay	Benbecula	Harris
Wemyss Bay	Ardrossan	Gigha	Mull	Barra	North Uist
Gourock		Campbeltown	Iona	Eriskay	Ullapool
Dunoon		Tarbert (Loch Fyne)	Lismore	Eigg
Kilcreggan		Portavadie	Kerrera	Muck
Largs		Kennacraig	Tiree	Rum
Colintraive		Claonaig	Oban	Canna
		Tayinloan	Lochaline	Skye
			Kilochoan	Raasay
				Mallaig

Who can apply?

All applicants must fit Foundation Scotland's funding criteria. Before progressing with your application please visit our Common eligibility criteria.

What can’t be funded?

At Foundation Scotland we have some standard exclusions that apply to all funds. Before progressing with your application please visit What can't be funded.

In addition, the following exclusions apply to this programme:

• Organisations not based in the stated areas of the six regions.
• Requests for ferry travel costs in isolation will not be considered. If the project you are applying for includes an element of ferry travel then you can request it that way.
• Requests for capital projects (i.e. building/ground works, renovations/refurbs, purchasing large capital items/equipment).
• Organisations with an annual income in the most recent annual accounts exceeding £250,000.

How are decisions made?

Decision making panels made of CalMac employees will make the final decisions.

There is £175,000 available to spend which equates to 17 awards to the maximum amount of £10,000. There will be a range of awards between £1,000 and £10,000 and we therefore expect to make up to approx. 30 awards.

Due to high demand across all funding programmes, application levels will be reviewed weekly. The programme therefore, may close earlier than the published deadline if demand significantly exceeds the available funds.

For more information on our decision making processes, please visit how funding decisions are made.