Invest programme awards over £1m to 10 Scottish charities
Today, the independent charity, Bank of Scotland Foundation announced that ten Scottish charities have been awarded a share of £1,036,551 over the next 3-5 years through their Invest grant programme. This funding will help these charities to continue their vital work in tackling disadvantage or social exclusion and supporting those most in need, from the elderly or people living with disabilities, to those with debt or mental health issues.
The cost of living crisis continues to have a significant impact on charities across the country. With a growing number of people struggling to make ends meet, there has been a sharp rise in demand for the services provided by charities. Yet, at the same time, charities across Scotland are facing their own financial pressures as rising costs and funding cuts take their toll.
To help ease those pressures, this year's Invest programme focused on helping charities through the cost of living crisis, enabling them to apply for between £10,000 - £50,000 per year over 2-5 years, for project costs, core costs or capital costs. The range of grants awarded were from £36,900 up to £250,000 and included charities such as Edinburgh Young Carers, Starter Packs Inverclyde, and Glasgow (Central) Citizens Advice Bureau.
Donald MacKechnie, Chair of Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said, “Many charities are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of the communities they serve due to the cost of living crisis. It's a challenging situation, but one that they are approaching with resilience and determination.
“We are therefore delighted our Invest programme can give these ten charities some security over the next three to five years, enabling them to plan ahead with confidence, knowing they have this support behind them. We very much look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on their communities.”
Bank of Scotland Foundation continues its commitment to supporting applications for core costs such as salaries, rent and utility costs - some of the areas being hit most by the crisis. With this latest round of grants the Foundation hopes to give much needed financial stability during uncertain times.
The ten awards made through the Invest programme are: -
| Charity | Region | Award | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Drumchapel | Glasgow | £112,000 | 5 years (£22,400 per year) |
| Glasgow (Central) Citizens Advice Bureau | Glasgow | £225,000 | 5 years (£45,000 per year) |
Ubuntu Women Shelter | Glasgow | £116,771 | 5 years (£23,554 per year) |
| Partnerships for Wellbeing | Highlands & Islands | £120,000 | 5 years (£24,000 per year) |
| Edinburgh Young Carers | Lothians | £88,580 | 5 years (£17,716 per year) |
| Rosyth Community Projects Limited | Mid Scotland & Fife | £87,300 | 3 years (£29,100 per year) |
| Hand of Solace | North East Scotland | £50,000 | 5 years (£10,000 per year) |
| Hope Garden SCIO | North East Scotland | £100,000 | 5 years (£20,000 per year) |
| Creetown Initiative Ltd | South Scotland | £36,900 | 3 years (£12,300 per year) |
| Starter Packs Inverclyde | West Scotland | £100,000 | 5 years (£20,000 per year) |