Request for Proposals: Small Donations Fund (UK)

The Small Donations Fund provides grants of up to £500 to formally constituted local organisations supporting communities in Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull and Iona. Funding supports projects in education, training and research, social initiatives, arts and culture, and biodiversity and climate change.

About the Small Donations Fund

The Small Donations Fund is part of the MachairWind project’s commitment to strengthening the well-being, sustainability, and development of local communities. The fund provides small-scale financial support to organisations delivering initiatives that create positive social, cultural, educational, or environmental benefits within the MachairWind Community Area. The programme is intended to support a diverse range of local projects and encourage community-led activities that contribute to vibrant and sustainable communities. What Does the Fund Support? Eligible projects must contribute to at least one of the fund’s four priority areas: By focusing on community-led projects, the fund allows local organisations to identify and address priorities within their own communities. How to Apply Organisations interested in the fund should prepare an application describing the proposed initiative and demonstrating its eligibility.

A practical application process involves:

Confirm your organisation’s eligibility. Ensure that your organisation is formally constituted and operates within Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull, or Iona. Identify the project area. Confirm that the initiative relates to education, training and research; social initiatives; arts and culture; or biodiversity and climate change. Define the initiative clearly. Explain what the project will deliver and who will benefit. Prepare the funding request. Requests should not exceed £500. Check previous funding. Ensure that the same initiative has not already received a Small Donations Fund award within the previous 12 months. Submit the application according to the fund’s application instructions. If an organisation submits multiple applications within a 12-month period, each proposal should concern a separate and distinct initiative. Tips for Applicants Applicants can strengthen their proposals by clearly demonstrating the local value of their project.

Consider:

Explaining the specific community need being addressed. Identifying who will benefit. Clearly linking the project to one of the four funding priorities. Providing a realistic explanation of how the £500 donation will be used. Demonstrating practical community benefits. Keeping separate applications focused on genuinely different initiatives. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying as an individual when the fund requires a formally constituted organisation. Proposing an initiative outside the eligible geographical area. Requesting more than £500. Applying for the same initiative more than once within 12 months. Submitting multiple applications that are actually components of the same project. Failing to explain the project’s connection to one of the fund’s priority areas. Providing insufficient information about the expected community benefit. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Small Donations Fund? The Small Donations Fund provides small grants to local organisations and projects benefiting communities in Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull and Iona. How much funding can an organisation receive? Eligible initiatives can receive up to £500. How often can an initiative receive funding? Each initiative can receive a maximum of one award in a 12-month period. Can an organisation submit more than one application? Yes. An organisation may submit multiple applications within the same 12-month period, provided each application relates to a different and separate initiative. What activities does the fund support? Projects must align with at least one of four areas: education, training and research; social initiatives; arts and culture; or biodiversity and climate change. Who can apply? Applicants must be formally constituted organisations, such as registered charities, community groups, or schools, operating within Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull or Iona. Can organisations outside the eligible communities apply? The fund is intended for organisations operating within the specified communities. Organisations without an eligible local connection should not assume they qualify. Conclusion The Small Donations Fund offers up to £500 for locally led initiatives benefiting communities across Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull and Iona. Registered charities, community groups, schools, and other formally constituted local organisations can use the funding to support projects focused on education, social development, arts and culture, biodiversity, and climate change. For eligible organisations, the fund provides a straightforward opportunity to turn small-scale community ideas into practical local initiatives.