Boost Small Grants
We recognise that application forms and assessment processes can present barriers in accessibility and have tried to overcome these as much as possible. If you feel that you would benefit from additional support – for example by completing this form in a different language or accessing the form in a different format – please get in touch with us at communitygrants@corra.scot or on 0131 444 4020. The quickest way to reach us is through email.
Boost small grants programme is for organisations supporting children and families in their local communities. It has been created to help groups that find the increases in basic running costs (for example utilities, salaries, transport) are making their work much more challenging. Boost will provide grants of £500-£3,000 to grassroots organisations and charities with a yearly income of up to £50,000 whose work benefits children and families.
This fund aims to ensure accessible, supportive community-led activities remain available to children and families despite the challenges the cost of living poses for charities and community groups.
Boost is delivered by Corra Foundation and is a partnership between the STV Children’s Appeal and Corra Foundation. There is no closing date. There is £300,000 available to distribute and we will make decisions on applications in the order they are sent to us. When the funding is all distributed the programme will close for this year.
For more information on how to apply please see further information in the tabs below.
Eligibility and Fund information
Who can apply?
You can apply if you are either a:
- Charity registered in Scotland; or a
- Constituted voluntary or community organisation with governing documents which clearly state that:
- The organisation is not for profit, or has a clear clause ensuring that all income is applied to the organisation’s purposes and not distributed to members, shareholders or owners.
- There is a dissolution clause/lock in place requiring assets are distributed to an organisation with similar charitable aims in the instance of closure.
- You have at least 3 Directors/committee members and no one person has majority control.
Who can’t apply?
We cannot accept applications from:
- Organisations with an income of more than £50,000 in their last financial year.
- Organisations without a constitution.
- Organisations that are not established as not for profit.
- Organisations based outside Scotland.
- One organisation applying on behalf of another.
- Individuals
How much is available and what can it be used for?
This funding is to support the work and running of small groups that support children and families in their local area. However, not all of your work needs to be solely with children and families. For instance, a local food pantry is likely to serve everyone in need in the community and this will include many children and families so could be eligible to apply.
We will prioritise groups that are facing financial challenges due to the higher costs of living. As well as telling us how the increased cost of living has impacted your group, we will look at how much you hold in unrestricted reserves. If you have 12 months or more running costs in reserve, you are unlikely to get funding from this programme.
How much can you apply for?
£500 up to a maximum of £3,000. Funding should be used within 12 months of when you receive your grant.
What can you use the money for?
We understand that every group has different needs and ideas. We encourage you to think about what you need the funding for, this can include running and/or project costs. It can fund a brand new project, help you continue a project, or support your running costs. We will ask you to explain how a grant will support your work with children and families and how it will help your organisation with cost of living challenges.
What will not be funded?
- Major capital appeals including building projects, motor vehicles and refurbishment costs.
- Retrospective funding.
- Promotion of religion.
- Activities which are party political.
- Mainstream activities and statutory requirements, for example of hospitals and medical centres, schools, universities and colleges.
- Work that takes place outwith Scotland
- Bursaries or scholarships.
- Contributions to funds which will be used for grant making to other organisations and/or individuals.
- Sponsorship or marketing appeals.
Application and Criteria
Organisations need to complete a short online application that asks for:
- Information about your organisation.
- Contact details for a member of the group.
- How your organisation supports children and families.
- How current high costs are making your work more difficult.
- How much money is required and how you plan to use it.
- Current financial information.
You will need to provide a copy of your constitution unless you are a registered charity.
A constitution is a governing document for your group or organisation. A constitution sets out aims and objectives of your group/organisation and some clear rules around how you operate and make decisions.
You will also need to provide a recent (less than 6 months old) copy of your group/organisation’s bank statement, clearly displaying group name, sort code and account number. The bank account must be in the name of your group or organisation and must be dated within the past six months.
You will also need to send us your most recent annual accounts. These need to be less than 18 months old.
Please read through the following documents before starting your application and keep them handy while filling in the form. They provide more information on Boost, including who can apply, and guidance how to complete each section of the application form.
Next Steps
Once the application is received by Corra you will be sent an email confirming it has been received. Your application will be read to ensure it meets criteria and is eligible for support. Should there be any questions or missing information someone from Corra will be in touch.
We aim to let you know the outcome of your application within four working weeks of receiving the form.
If successful, the main contact listed on your application will receive an email advising them of the grant amount and payment information. The email will also tell you about what will be required in terms of feedback and evaluation. You will be asked to report on the grant 12 months from when you received it. This will be a straightforward process to tell us about how you spent the money and how this helped your work and the people you support.
If unsuccessful, you will receive an email to let you know why the application did not fit the criteria and why we could not support your request.
Please send any questions to us at communitygrants@corra.scot.
