EMPOWER PROGRAMME

Please see the general Grants Application Q&A as well.

WHAT’S THE MINIMUM / MAXIMUM GRANT WE CAN APPLY FOR THROUGH THE EMPOWER      
PROGRAMME?

Our Empower programme offers charities a three-year, unrestricted grant of £150,000 (£50,000 per year). Eligible charities that support vulnerable people and have an annual income of between £150,000-£500,000 can apply. Charities must also have a minimum of three years accounts checked by OSCR.

OUR CHARITY LESS THAN THREE YEARS ACCOUNTS CHECKED BY OSCR, CAN WE APPLY?

We’re afraid not. To be eligible, your charity must have a minimum of three years’ accounts checked by OSCR. You are welcome to apply to future grants programmes that your charity may be eligible for.

WHAT CAN WE APPLY FOR FUNDING FOR? 

Our Empower programme offers a three-year unrestricted grant of £150k (£50k per annum). Unrestricted funding can be used towards core costs, delivery costs, project costs and/or general running costs enabling charities to use their funding in the way that helps them best. 

Whilst our funding is unrestricted, charities are asked to provide a broad indication of what our funding may be used for. (Please note that our funding may not be used for project costs or overheads incurred before the grant application is received, any costs not related to delivering outcomes such as a contribution to reserves and notional costs that will never be incurred e.g., rent free premises).

THE EMPOWER PROGRAMMES FOCUSES ON SUPPORTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE, WHAT TYPES OF CHARITIES WILL YOU FUND?

Charities we support will be required to demonstrate that they put vulnerable people at the heart of everything they do. Vulnerable people can be impacted by a range of factors such as their social, economic, geographic location, or physical circumstances. Examples of vulnerability can include education barriers, mobility/transport issues, learning disabilities, family-related challenges, poverty, housing and employment difficulties, and poor mental health and emotional wellbeing. 

If you are unsure if your charity supports vulnerable people, you can contact the team at enquiries@bankofscotlandfoundation.co.uk or phone 07384 902196.

HOW MANY YEARS OF FUNDING CAN I APPLY FOR THROUGH THE EMPOWER PROGRAMME?

Successful applicants will be awarded a three- year grant through Empower.

HOW DO I APPLY TO YOUR EMPOWER GRANT PROGRAMMES?

First, we recommend visiting our website and using our eligibility checker to make sure you are eligible to apply.

Then, if your charity is eligible, you can press the Apply button on the Empower page of our website once the programme is open to applications.