Great Glen Energy Co-operative Fund

About this fund

The Great Glen Energy Co-operative purchased a stake in the Millennium wind farm in 2008. The wind farm is owned and managed by Millennium Wind Energy Ltd and is located in the hills north of Invergarry. There are currently 26 X 2.5 Mw Nordex turbines on the site. In full operation, they produce enough clean green energy to supply around 36,000 average homes.

The Co-op makes donations to local community groups and organisations to assist them with the cost of creating exciting new projects for the benefit of local people.

Projects which benefit residents of the following community council areas are eligible:

• Glen Urquhart
• Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston
• Glengarry
• Stratherrick & Foyers
• Dores & Essich
• Inverness West (Abriachan, Lochend, Dochgarroch etc - not Inverness City)

Organisations can apply for up to £5,000.

Purpose of this fund

The fund will support charitable activity that provides community benefit under the following themes: 
•    Environment
•    Education
•    Equality

All applications must address at least one of these themes in order to be eligible for consideration. The strongest applications will meet two or more, and all projects should demonstrate positive environmental impacts. 

Projects should demonstrate benefit in one or more of the community council areas listed above. 

Who can apply?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in the fund area can apply for a grant. Applicants must have a constitution and be set up on a not for profit basis. They do not need to be a registered charity to apply, but activity must be charitable/for community benefit.

Applications from groups/organisations located out with the fund area will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must demonstrate clear benefits for residents within the fund area.

Please see Foundation Scotland’s standard eligibility criteria.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fund Adviser at Foundation Scotland for an informal discussion about their project before submitting an application.

Both revenue items (eg running costs), and capital items (eg to buy equipment) can be funded. Applicants should be able to demonstrate match funding from their own reserves or from other sources. Previous applicants can reapply. Awards will be made on project merit and funds available.

Applicants are normally expected to provide evidence of value for money. See the Foundation Scotland website for further details.  

What can’t be funded?

The following types of activity will not be supported: 

• The advancement of religion or politics
• Activities which are deemed to be the responsibility of statutory authorities
• Projects benefiting primarily those residents outwith the area of benefit
• Activities contrary to the interests of the fund
• Activities likely to bring Foundation Scotland and/or the fund into disrepute
• Anti-renewable energy/wind farm activities
• The repayment of loans or payment of debts
• Costs already incurred or activities that will take place before the panel has made a decision on an application (retrospective funding) 

How are decisions made?

Applicants should expect to be contacted by Foundation Scotland for an assessment interview. This will be carried out over the telephone or by video conference. The assessment is an opportunity to provide further information, so that the board have a thorough understanding of the project. GGEC board will make decisions on awards based on Foundation Scotland assessment report. 

Decisions will be final. Unsuccessful applications will receive feedback.