Investing in Communities applicant helper area
Here you can find links to documents and other important information that will help you when applying to Investing in Communities
You will also find links to the websites of other funders and support organisations, which may help you when planning your project or looking for match funding
Investing in Communities supporting documents
These documents apply to the Investing in Communities application process.
Guidance notes Investing in Communities Guidance notes - 492KB - This booklet is your first step in applying for funding. It will help you understand what we are trying to achieve and whether we are the right funder for you.
- Stage one application form Stage one application form for the Investing in Communities programme. - 777KB - This form also includes helper notes to aid you when applying.
- Land and building guidance
- 1,009KB - This guidance is essential for those applying for a capital project under Investing in Communities.
- How to commission a design team How to commission a design team - 135KB – This guidance is for groups applying for capital grants for projects involving land/and or buildings.
- Project brief a guide to applicants Project Brief: A guide to applicants - 139KB – This guidance sets out some of the key component in completing your project brief.
- Funding for publically owned assets
- 200KB - This document provides important advice and information for those applying to the Growing Community Assets investment area.
- Options appraisals: A guide for applicants This is primarily targeted at community based organisations applying for capital grants for projects involving land and/or buildings. - 216KB - This document is primarily targeted at community based organisations applying for capital grants for projects involving land and/or buildings.
- Getting Funding and Planning Successful Projects - This is a simple step-by-step introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles that you will need to know about if you are going to apply for funding from us.
Equalities, Environment and Empowerment
In order to bring about lasting change, equalities, empowerment and the environment must be at the heart of the projects we support. We believe that they are connected and that communities and organisations that take them to heart will be stronger and achieve better outcomes in the long term. Before you apply we want you to consider equalities, empowerment and the environment in designing and managing your project. We will ask you about these as part of our stage two assessment, and we will work with funded projects to help improve practice in these areas.
So we will ask you how your project will:
- take account of the needs of different beneficiaries and how it will overcome barriers to people finding out about and, using your facilities and services (See Equalities Matter guide This is a practical guide. It is designed to help you think about and describe your everyday practice on equality. It is particularly aimed at small to medium sized voluntary ...
- 368KB) - minimise negative impact on the environment and protect or enhance the environment.
- empower and improve the lives of individuals by, for example, providing support, building people’s skills and encouraging independence
Other supporting documents
- Evidencing the need for your project When you make an application, it's important that you can show that there is a need for your project. This short factsheet contains advice on the kind of evidence that can sup...
- 77KB - This factsheet gives you advice on demonstrating the need for your project
- What is a business plan?
- 262KB - This document will help you to create a robust business plan
- Sustainability – a short guide Like many other funders we provide grants for fixed term periods, and our priorities might change. If you are awarded funding there is no guarantee that we will be able to fun...
- 80KB - This factsheet explains what we mean by sustainability
- Full cost recovery: a short guide
- 77KB - This factsheet explains the term full cost recovery and what it means for your organisation
- Full cost recovery guidance and spreadsheet - These resources will help you to explain the amount of overheads you are asking us to contribute
- Sustainable Development: An introduction To meet the challenge of sustainable development we have to enhance the quality of life for all by designing healthy buildings and environments fit for individuals and communi...
- 566KB - A resource highlighting best practice for capital projects using sustainable development principles.
- Equality Matters This is a practical guide. It is designed to help you think about and describe your everyday practice on equality. It is particularly aimed at small to medium sized voluntary ...
- 368KB - A practical guide designed to help you think about and describe your everyday practice on equality
- Outcomes factsheet
- 212KB - A factsheet explaining what we mean by an outcomes approach
Other funders and support organisations
One of the new features of Investing in Communities will be to improve the support and advice that we offer to our applicants. Here are some suggested links to external support organisations and other funders.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Scotland.
Voluntary Action Scotland is the national body for local third sector infrastructure in Scotland.
Councils for Voluntary Service Network Scotland
The CVS Network works with voluntary organisations to help them to become more effective and efficient.
Social Firms Scotland aims to grow the Social Firm sector in Scotland in order to increase employment opportunities for severely disadvantaged people.
Evaluation Support Scotland works with voluntary organisations and funders so they can measure the impact of their work.
Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition
The Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition is the national collective voice for social enterprise in Scotland.
Volunteer Development Scotland
VDS represents volunteering orgs in Scotland and aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience.
Pilotlight match and manage teams of senior business people with local charities and social enterprises to coach them through the process of planning for growth, development and sustainability.
Social Investment Scotland helps almost 100 community groups, charities and social enterprises with a wide range of investments normally in the form of loans or equity.
The Scotland Funders’ Forum is a gathering of funders in Scotland, including statutory bodies and independent grant making trusts, who are committed to best practice in funding the voluntary and community sector and to maximising the impact of funding for the benefit of Scotland. We come together to share information, to identify and address areas of common interest and to share best practice and learning
Llinell Gynghori Fawr 0300 123 7110
