Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Large Grant Company

About this fund:

Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company (ANCBC) is funded by the Scottish Power Renewables community benefit fund for Harestanes Windfarm in Dumfries and Galloway. The fund primarily supports community projects located within or directly benefiting one or more of 42 community council areas in Annandale and Nithsdale as detailed below.

East - Lockerbie, Kirkmichael, Eskdalemuir, Moffat, Kirkpatrick-Juxta, Johnstone, Templand, Lochmaben & District, North Milk and Wamphray.

South - Dalton & Carrutherstown, Heathhall, Royal Four Towns Holywood/Newbridge, Irongray, Georgetown, Tinwald, Lochside and Woodlands, Loreburn, Terregles, Torthorwald, Troqueer, Mouswald, Corrberry and Laurieknowe, Kingholm Quay, Lincluden, Locharbriggs, Ryedale, St. Michaels, Summerville and Stakeford.

West - Auldgirth, Carronbridge, Closeburn, Dunscore, Glencairn, Keir, Kirkmahoe, Penpont, Thornhill, Tynron, Durisdeer and Ae.

ANCBC is a company limited by guarantee with a voluntary board of up to twelve directors elected from the membership. Each of the community councils nominates members. For more information visit the ANCBC website. A copy of the fund annual report is available from the Useful links section below. Copies of previous reports are available on request from the Community Fund Coordinator (contact details can be found below).

The fund began grantmaking in 2015. It is anticipated that an annual amount of £300,000, index-linked, will be paid into the fund for the windfarm's operating life. In 2020, the annual contribution to the fund was just over £343,000. A Community Council local grant scheme is also available and is administered directly by community councils. Please contact your community council directly for further details on local grants. If your area does not have a community council, please apply to the main fund.

Purpose of this fund:

ANCBC will support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the area of benefit. Applications that address any of the following issues are particularly welcomed:

• Community facilities, services, transport, open spaces affordable housing, community development, reduction of poverty and care of the elderly
• Community or local events
• Environmental projects - including climate change reduction and progress towards net-zero carbon emissions
• Heritage
• Enterprise to generate, skills, employment, tourism, reducing poverty, isolation and disadvantage, improving rural business opportunities, building the capacity of community and voluntary organisations, supporting innovation and social enterprise
• Sport, recreation and improving the health and wellbeing of residents
• Youth and education, providing training opportunities and support for vulnerable youngsters
• Promoting care and support of vulnerable people; improving community safety, minimising isolation and maximising wellbeing

Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, such as equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets.

Additional criteria

Awards can be multi-year in nature, up to a maximum of 3 years. The total amount requested per project over the years should not exceed £20,000. Projects should be distinct in nature.

Match funding requirements. Other possible funding sources for the project must have been explored. This might include applicants raising some funds through their own fundraising efforts. The fund should not displace funding that could be obtained from other sources but should help lever-in additional funds if possible. Additionally, it should not reduce community-based groups’ commitment to organising local activities that contribute to a vibrant community calendar and promote community spirit. Applicants should demonstrate that a percentage of the total project cost will be sourced from other funding sources, including the applicant organisation itself, which might be in a position to contribute to the project cost.

• For grants from £500 to £2,000, no match funding is required.
• For grants from £2,001 to £5,000, a minimum of 25% match funding is required.
• For grants from £5,001 to £20,000, a minimum of 50% match funding is required.

Local procurement. That local suppliers will be used for the provision of goods and services, where appropriate. ‘Local’ will vary depending on the nature and availability of the item/service in question. In some cases, it could be taken to mean within Annandale or Nithsdale and the surrounding area, but in others, Dumfries and Galloway or indeed the South of Scotland might be most appropriate. To read more visit Evidencing value for money page.

Who can apply?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in any of the eligible communities can apply. Your group/organisation must meet our standard eligibility criteria. You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply.

Please note that not all Annandale and Nithsdale areas are eligible to apply. If you are not sure of the community council area/s for your project, please contact us directly to discuss your geographic eligibility. Applications from groups/organisations located out with the fund area will be considered on a case-by-case basis. They must demonstrate a clear benefit for residents within the fund area.

We cannot fund the following:

• Non constituted groups.
• Applications from individuals. However, individuals may be able to apply for funding under any micro-grant scheme associated with a fund, or under some education and training funds.
• General fundraising appeals or activities.
• Trips abroad (unless otherwise stated on the fund page).
• Costs already incurred or activities which will take place before we’ve decided on an application, i.e. retrospective funding.
• The repayment of loans or payment of debts.
• he advancement of religion or politics, including requests to support religious or political groups' core activities. However, religious groups may apply for funding for non-religious activity that will benefit the wider community beyond their own specific congregation and is open to all on a non-denominational basis. For example, a church may apply for funding to upgrade a church hall that is regularly used by other community groups.
• Payments towards areas understood to be the exclusive responsibility of statutory authorities. However, we can provide grants to Parent Teacher Associations/Parent Councils if they are appropriately constituted and occasionally to schools where the activity being delivered is additional to the core curriculum/statutory activity.
• Activities that are likely to bring the fund, Foundation Scotland or the donor into disrepute. For example, we can’t fund groups or organisations using hate speech or inciting violence, or those linked to such groups or organisations. -For place-based funds, we can’t support projects which don't benefit the people who live within the defined fund area. Projects that benefit people in the fund area plus others outside that area can be supported on a proportionate basis. Applicants to these funds don’t need to be based in the fund area.
• For themed/cause-related funds we can’t support projects which don’t relate to the priorities stated for the fund. Costs directly related to the sale of alcohol, including but not limited to the refurbishment of a bar area