Carrick Futures

About this fund Carrick Futures is supported by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit funds for Arecleoch and Mark Hill Windfarms in South Ayrshire and receives in the region of £350,000 from ScottishPower Renewables each year. However, amounts available for new awards vary, depending on existing funding commitments.

The fund primarily support projects located within or directly benefiting one or more of the six community council areas of Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Pinmore & Pinwherry and Girvan & District. Some funds are also available for projects located within or directly benefiting the wider Carrick area. Priority will be given to applications which also benefit one or more of the main beneficiary communities listed above.

Carrick Futures supports a range of community activity in accordance with its own purposes as laid down in its Articles and Memorandum of Association. It is expected that ScottishPower Renewables will continue to make this annual donation for the operating life time of each wind farm.

The membership of Carrick Futures is up to 60 individuals, with up to 10 nominated by each of the six primary Community Council areas. Those members then elect up to 12 Directors, two from each of the six community council areas.

More information on the fund, including how to apply, downloadable application forms, guidance and fund deadlines can be found on the Carrick Futures website.

Purpose of this fund Carrick Futures can support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Pinmore & Pinwherry, Girvan & District and Carrick.

Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities.

The Board has agreed three strategic aims, which it will use to prioritise proposed projects. These are:

• Improving access to services (in particular public transport)
• Enabling a diverse and sustainable population mix (services for young people and older people, but also activities that help create opportunities for families and working age people to live in the area).
• Improving equality of opportunity (including tackling poverty and disadvantage).

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.

Two levels of awards are normally available for activities that benefit the local community. The amount and type of information required from applicants differ depending on the size of the application being made:

• Standard grants: £500 - £10,000.
• Large grants: over £10,000.

There is a two-stage application process for large grants. An initial one-page outline proposal is required. The Board will review the proposal and agree on whether to invite a full application to future rounds.

Awards can be multi-year in nature, normally up to a maximum of 3 years. If the total request exceeds £10,000, an initial enquiry should be made using the large grant process.

For awards up to £500, a small grant scheme is also available and administered directly by each of the six main Community Councils. Please contact your Community Council directly for further details.

Who can apply?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in any of the eligible communities can apply.