Kilgallioch Community Fund

About this fund

The Kilgallioch Community Fund is part of the Kilgallioch Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, which is provided by ScottishPower Renewables, from their Kilgallioch Windfarm.

Approximately £1.2 million is available each year. Of this, 15% per community is distributed directly to Old Luce, New Luce, Kirkcowan and Barrhill for projects in those communities. 40% or around £475,000 is made available across the whole area of benefit, via this Kilgallioch Community Fund. Grant sizes are £500 - £5,000 (Small Grants) £5,001- £20,000 (Standard Grants) and £20,000+ (Large Grants) which is a two stage process. 

Projects seeking a Large Grant can also ask for up to £5,000 to support the development of their Stage 2 project and this is awarded at the time of a successful Stage 1 application.

Kilgallioch Community Fund awards can support a wide range of costs and activities. Groups seeking to undertake capital projects in respect of land or assets (e.g. village halls, community spaces) must at the point of application either own the property, or have a minimum ten-year lease in place and be able to evidence this, or be able to meet the ownership/lease requirement within a maximum of three months of an award being offered. If the latter applies to your project, at assessment you will be asked to demonstrate how your group will be able to meet this requirement within the three month time frame (for example, having a draft lease under negotiation, having a confirmed date on the Committee meeting to decide an asset transfer).  

Due to high demand on the fund, ongoing running costs, although eligible, are less likely to be supported, as the Board will prioritise support for one-off or new projects. Priority will also be given to groups that have not previously been funded. Standard Grant holders must be able to spend their grant within 12 months of an award.

Development Grants can only be used for costs associated with developing a project further ahead of making a Stage 2 Large Grant application. Development costs could include items for capital projects such as architect’s drawings, production of business plans, surveyor’s fees, feasibility studies or options appraisals; or costs associated with developing a service or activity such as bringing in consultants to provide specialised advice, running a pilot, or carrying out a consultation to inform your Stage 2 bid. This list is not exhaustive – if you are not sure about whether your development cost is eligible for support, please contact Foundation Scotland for advice. The fund’s standard exclusion criteria also apply. 

The Kilgallioch Community Fund supports projects located within or directly benefiting Wigtownshire, Dumfries & Galloway and South Carrick, South Ayrshire. Projects must benefit one or more of the communities, which are geographically defined by community council boundaries. For eligible Community Council areas, please see the table below. For boundary maps and other information on Community Council areas please see the relevant local authority website or contact us for assistance (details below).

Cairnryan	Kirkmabreck	Portpatrick	Barr
Castle Kennedy	Kirkmaiden	Royal Burgh of Wigtown and District	Barrhill
Cree Valley	Leswalt	Sorbie	Colmonell and Lendalfoot
Garlieston	Lochans	Stoneykirk	Dailly
Isle of Whithorn	New Luce	Stranraer, Ochtrelure and Belmont	Girvan and District
Kirkcolm	Old Luce	The Royal Burgh of Whithorn and District	Pinwherry and Pinmore
Kirkcowan	Port William	Ballantrae

Enquiries relating to the Kilgallioch Windfarm Community Benefit funding available through the Primary Community Organisations should be directed to New Luce Community Trust, the Old Luce Community Fund , Barrhill CIC and Kirkcowan Development Trust respectively.

Grant Size:

• Small grants from £500-£5,000
• Standard grants from £5,001-£20,000
• Large grants from £20,001+

Purpose of this fund

Kilgallioch Community Fund will support community-led charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities in Wigtownshire and South Carrick. Approximately £475,000 is available for distribution each year.

Priority will also be given to applications that address one or more of the following aims: 

• Engage and empower young people, increase employment opportunities for young people and/or attract young families to the area 
• Reduce poverty and disadvantage
• Improve connectivity, including transport, access to services and opportunities 
• Improve quality of life, health and well-being 
• Build capacity for local groups and promote community spirit 
• Build sustainable community assets, including capital assets
• Promote, protect and celebrate natural and cultural heritage

Additional criteria

As well as demonstrating a fit with the aims outlined above, priority for awards may be given to projects that address the following additional criteria: 

• Community engagement and consultation: That the applicant can demonstrate effective involvement of local people and/or people who will benefit from the project in the design and delivery of the project. 
• Leverage or match funding: That the applicant is seeking to secure match funding for the project (from local fundraising activity or other sources) and/or can demonstrate what other funding may be secured as a result of implementing this particular project. 
• Local procurement: That local suppliers of goods and services will be used, where appropriate (e.g., in terms of quality of products/services available) and feasible (in terms of availability and cost). The definition of ‘local’ will vary depending on the goods/services in question. In some cases, it could be taken to mean within the Area of Benefit but in others, the South of Scotland might be most appropriate. 
• Sustainability: That organisations can demonstrate their plans for the project to become sustainable in the future without the need to rely on grant funding. 
• Building community capacity: That the applicant has considered whether the project provides opportunities to build the skills and knowledge of group members or other people connected with the project. 
• Partnership working: Where appropriate, that the applicant has considered whether delivering their project in partnership with other organisations/groups will add value (financial, capability, or other). This could involve working with voluntary, private or public sector bodies that operate at local, regional or national level.

Who can apply?

Proposals must be for projects or activities consistent with the overall priorities and criteria of Kilgallioch Community Fund. The fund uses Foundation Scotland's standard eligibility criteria which can be seen here.

KCBC welcomes pre-application enquiries - please contact Foundation Scotland if anything is unclear.

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here.

How are decisions made?

Decisions on awards are made by the Board of the Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company Ltd, which is made up of twelve local volunteer Directors. Administration is provided by Foundation Scotland.