Volant Charitable Trust Small Grants Programme 2026

The Volant Charitable Trust Small Grants Programme provides funding for organisations delivering work that can make a meaningful difference to people experiencing poverty, deprivation and vulnerability in Scotland.

For the current programme, applicants can request up to £5,000 for a maximum period of one year. Funding can support both eligible project costs and core organisational costs.

What Does the Volant Trust Support?

The programme currently prioritises organisations and projects addressing poverty and deprivation and helping vulnerable groups affected by hardship. Particular emphasis is placed on women, children and young people.

Applicants should focus their proposal clearly on one of the fund’s relevant themes rather than attempting to cover too many unrelated areas.

1. Poverty and Deprivation

Projects addressing poverty and deprivation are a major priority of the programme. Examples of relevant work include:

• Support for vulnerable families experiencing extreme poverty
• Food provision and healthy eating initiatives in areas of extreme deprivation
• Mental health projects supporting vulnerable people living in poverty
• Community-based support for people experiencing significant hardship

Organisations should explain the problem they are addressing, who will benefit and how the proposed activities will make a measurable difference.

2. Projects Supporting Women

Women are another major priority within the fund. Eligible areas include support for women experiencing isolation, abuse, poverty and other forms of disadvantage.

Examples identified by the programme include:

• Support for isolated and lone mothers
• Community integration support for minority ethnic women and children
• Support for asylum seekers
• Support services for women prisoners and their families
• Support for victims of sexual abuse, rape and domestic violence
• Support for women affected by exploitation
• Antenatal and postnatal support for young mothers
• Support for people affected by postnatal depression

Applicants working under the women’s theme should carefully review the current programme criteria before submitting an application.

3. Children and Young People

The programme also supports projects helping disadvantaged or vulnerable children and young people.

Examples include:

• Counselling services for vulnerable children
• Outreach programmes for disadvantaged young people
• Support for children affected by neglect
• Support for children experiencing emotional or physical abuse
• Projects addressing the effects of alcohol or drug misuse
• Services for children and young people considered at risk

Who Can Apply?

The programme is designed for eligible charities, community organisations and other organisations that meet Foundation Scotland’s funding criteria.

One of the most important requirements is geographical. The Volant Charitable Trust’s Open Grants programme is intended for projects taking place in Scotland, with beneficiaries based in Scotland.

Income Requirement

The Small Grants Programme has an income cap. Your organisation’s income, according to its most recent annual accounts, must not exceed £350,000.

This makes the programme particularly relevant to smaller charities and community organisations that have a clear local project but limited financial resources.

How Much Can You Apply For?

Successful applicants can receive up to £5,000 for a maximum period of one year.

The funding can be used for eligible project costs and core costs. However, applicants should make sure their proposed expenditure is directly connected to the work being supported.

What Cannot Be Funded?

Applicants should pay close attention to the programme exclusions before preparing their budget.

The Small Grants Programme does not generally support:

• Capital projects
• Building or ground works
• Renovations or refurbishments
• Large capital equipment purchases
• Activities that have already taken place
• General fundraising campaigns

The programme is intended to support eligible activities and organisational costs that directly contribute to delivering work within its funding priorities.

Application Deadline

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day. Preparing a strong funding application may require time to review eligibility, develop a project plan, prepare a realistic budget and explain the expected outcomes.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

1. Clearly identify the problem

Explain the specific issue affecting the people you intend to support. Avoid vague descriptions. Show why the problem matters and why your organisation is well placed to respond.

2. Define your beneficiaries

Explain exactly who will benefit from the project. For example, you might be working with vulnerable families, women experiencing isolation or abuse, disadvantaged young people or children requiring additional support.

3. Keep the project focused

A focused proposal is generally easier to understand than an application attempting to address numerous unrelated problems.

4. Create a realistic budget

Break down how the requested funding will be used. Each budget item should have a clear connection to the activities you propose to deliver.

5. Explain the expected impact

Describe what will change as a result of the project. Where possible, use measurable outcomes such as the number of people supported, sessions delivered, families reached or young people receiving counselling.

6. Demonstrate local need

Evidence from your organisation’s experience, local data, community consultations or existing service demand can help demonstrate why the project is necessary.

Application Process

Applications for the Volant Charitable Trust Small Grants Programme are handled through Foundation Scotland. The Volant Trust’s own guidance directs applicants to Foundation Scotland for the application process.

1. Review the eligibility criteria.
2. Confirm that your project will take place in Scotland.
3. Confirm that your organisation meets the income requirements.
4. Choose the funding theme that best matches your project.
5. Prepare your project description and budget.
6. Complete the online application.
7. Submit the application before the deadline.

Important Things to Remember

• The maximum Small Grant is £5,000.
• The maximum funding period is one year.
• The project must be based in Scotland and benefit people in Scotland.
• The organisation’s most recent annual income must not exceed £350,000.
• Capital projects and large equipment purchases are not normally eligible.
• Current Volant grant recipients cannot apply to this programme.
• An organisation cannot apply to both the Volant Small and Large Grants programmes at the same time.
• Funding is not guaranteed simply because an organisation meets the eligibility criteria.

Could Your Organisation Be Eligible?

If your organisation is based in Scotland and works with vulnerable people affected by poverty, deprivation or disadvantage, this programme may be worth investigating.

Before applying, carefully compare your organisation and project against the official eligibility requirements and current application guidance.

Final Reminder

The Volant Charitable Trust Small Grants Programme can provide up to £5,000 for eligible one-year work addressing poverty, deprivation and vulnerability in Scotland. The current application deadline is 5 October 2026 at midnight.

Always verify the latest requirements directly with the fund administrator before submitting an application, as funding criteria and deadlines can change.