Blackridge Community Fund

About this fund

The Blackridge Community Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in the Blackridge community council area.  The fund is a vehicle through which several different funds are administered, including those provided by:

• Gresham House, the owners of Torrance Wind Farm.
• Netro Energy, the owners of Harthill Wind Ltd (Torrance Extension Wind Farm).
• EDF Renewables, the owners of the Burnhead Moss Wind Farm.  

An annual amount of £46,000, inflation-adjusted, will be paid into the fund each year for the wind farms' operating life.

Grant size typically available: £500 - £5,000 (but please also see 'Additional Criteria' below).  

(EDF Renewables also provides community funds from the Burnhead Moss Wind Farm to the nearby communities of Limerigg & Slamannan and Avonbridge & Standburn, and into the Burnhead Moss Education & Training Fund (BMET).  See the Useful links section below for further information).  

Purpose of this fund

The fund provides grants to support charitable activities that:

• Enhance the quality of life for local residents.
• Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities.
• Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Grants may support a wide range of costs, such as equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.  Please also refer to 'who can apply' guidance below.  

Groups newly affected by the sudden additional Craig Inn Centre room hire charges may also apply for £500 to cover this unexpected cost.  

Additional criteria

If you can demonstrate why you need a grant amount that is higher than the maximum stated above and that there is significant community support for the project you propose, then the fund may be able to consider your request. If you think this applies to your project, please contact Foundation Scotland for an initial discussion (contact details below). We will be able to give you tailored advice before you complete an application form. Please do not complete an application without speaking with Foundation Scotland first.  

Applicants may request support for recurring costs over three years. In these circumstances, the maximum award level is £10,000.

Projects should be well planned, taking a strategic approach where possible. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the local Community Action Plan (see Useful Links, below).  Applicants are encouraged to liaise with the Community Council when planning projects and activities.

Any outstanding completion or monitoring reports from previous grants need to have been received by Foundation Scotland before further grants are paid.

Who can apply?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in Blackridge can apply. You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply, but your group/organisation must meet our standard eligibility criteria.  This usually includes the need for a Safeguarding Policy.

Applications from groups/organisations located or headquartered outside Blackridge will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must demonstrate both a clear benefit for residents within Blackridge, and proof of meaningful local consultation about, and support for, the proposed project.  This should ideally include survey results and/or letters of support from relevant partner agencies.  Requests for funding for time-limited activities that leave no lasting legacy or capacity to sustain the activities in Blackridge will not be looked upon favourably.  Any applications for funding towards such new or pilot projects should have a sustainability plan outlined in the application form, which explains how a legacy of organisational capacity will be created within the community to sustain activities, rather than being reliant on the applying organisation to continue delivering them, and evidence of initial steps towards this.  This could for example include plans to encourage local volunteers to help sustain organisation and delivery of activities, examples of volunteer involvement to date and/or initial evidence of resident appetite to become involved in this.  Sustainability plans should also demonstrate how future activity will not be wholly reliant on recurring funding from the Blackridge Community Fund.

Foundation Scotland and the Panel recognise that some community activity is organised by more informal groups (i.e. without formal governance arrangements such as a constitution in place).  Groups can consider working in partnership with other local groups to make an application in this scenario, but evidence of both parties agreement to this will be sought.  

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here. Additionally, the fund cannot support:

• Anti-wind farm or anti-renewable energy activities, including activities contrary to the interests of the companies contributing to the fund;
• Activities that bring any of the companies contributing to the fund or Foundation Scotland into disrepute.

How are decisions made?

A community panel made up of people who live, work or volunteer in the community makes decisions on grant awards from the fund. The panel advises on overall fund strategy and is governed by Terms of Reference. The panel typically meets 3-4 times a year. 

More information on the award-making process is available here.  

The panel can have up to seven members, including two representatives from Blackridge Community Council and up to five other community members. Each panel member from the wider community typically serves a minimum of one and a maximum of three years, with members retiring or re-appointed on a phased basis to ensure knowledge and expertise are retained. Opportunities to become a Panel member are advertised locally and on this website and are selected through a fair and transparent process. Previous panel members may stand again.