Scottish Building Society

About this fund

The Scottish Building Society is already active in charitable activities and previously, each year, they asked members to vote for a Charity of the Year. Colleagues in Head Office and Relationship Centres also raise funds through volunteering and fundraising events. In this their 175th anniversary,  they have established the Scottish Building Society Foundation to support local charities and community groups in the important work they undertake.

Purpose of this fund

The Scottish Building Society Foundation will aim to invest in the long-term future of communities in Scotland. Grant monies will act as a gateway to a sustainable future for vulnerable individuals and communities alike. As a result, The Scottish Building Society is looking to provide financial support to charities and community groups. Applications that address any of the following issues are particularly welcomed: 

• Community facilities, services, transport, open spaces, affordable housing, community development, reduction of poverty, and care of the elderly 
• Community or local events 
• Youth and education, providing training opportunities and support for vulnerable youngsters 
• Promoting care and support of vulnerable people; improving community safety, minimising isolation, and maximising wellbeing 

Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, such as equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets. 

The Scottish Building Society has six branches in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Galashiels, Glasgow, Inverness and Troon. As a result, priority will be given to organisations operating in the following local authorities – Scottish Border, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City, Aberdeen City, South Ayrshire and Highland. 

Scottish Building Society has over £30,000 to distribute in grants for this round of funding. Grants of up to £5,000 are available. 

Who can apply?

• Registered charities 
• Constituted voluntary and community organisations 
• Community companies e.g. companies limited by guarantee, community benefit societies or Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations’ 
• Community Interest Companies are eligible to apply if they meet the Fund’s minimum governance standards

What can’t be funded?

• Applications from individuals or private businesses 
• Applications to advance a campaign or a religious or political cause. 
• The promotion of religious beliefs 
• Activities that are understood to be a statutory responsibility and/or seek to replace statutory sources of funding 
• Pre-existing costs that your organisation already incurred as a result of its day to day activities 
• Standalone costs for small capital or equipment costs  
• Applications that are requesting less than 25% of the total project cost  
• Organisations which already have annual gross income of more than £250,000 

Please read through the What we can't fund page for additional exclusions which apply to all Foundation Scotland funds. 

How are decisions made?

An Awards Panel made up of representatives from both Scottish Building Society and Foundation Scotland will meet twice a year to consider grant awards.  For more details on our assessment processes please visit our How funding decisions are made page.