MORAY WOMEN’S GROUPS are being encouraged to make a bid for funding form a national funding programme aimed at empowering women and girls to reach their full potential.
The Women’s Fund for Scotland (WFS) has introduced a new extended grant funding programme that retains its existing small grants programme from £500 to £2000 – and introduces a new multi-year large grants programme providing up to £30,000 over three years.
A prior cap of £250,000 on annual turnover for those community groups applying for funding has also been removed, making it easier for more charities and groups to apply.
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant said: “This presents a great opportunity for women’s groups throughout the Highlands and Islands to further encourage and empower women to be the best they can be, to build skills and confidence, to improve health and well-being, to believe in themselves and build social networks and in some cases, to move on from violent or abusive pasts.”
Development Manager for WFS is Shona Blakeley, who explained: “This is a huge opportunity for us to extend our reach and fund even more community groups working with women and girls across Scotland.
“We hope the significant increase in funding will lead to a growth in the number and range of applications. By removing the £250K income cap we hope to attract more applications from larger organisations doing amazing work within their communities.”
Applications can be made using a simple online process on the Foundation Scotland website with the first deadline set for June 28.
The large grants programme is a two stage process, which requires completion of a short enquiry form. This will be reviewed by Foundation staff and if it meets relevant criteria, groups will be invited to make a full application.
Final decisions for all applications will be made by the Foundation Scotland grants panel, with the first awards being made in September.
Applications must meet at least one of four investment themes – Building skills and confidence, improving health and well-being, building social networks and moving on from violence.
More detailed information for applicants is available on the Women’s Fund page on the Foundation’s website.