Plains Community Fund

About this fund

Foundation Scotland has worked with a wide group of residents from different community groups to set the fund up.  It will operate during 2024 on a trial basis and then be reviewed and developed, informed by what has been learnt. The fund is a long-term fund for the Plains community and will be available for the operating life time of the Greengairs East wind farm which is expected to be about 30 years. In this first year there is £16,600 available to distribute. Next year this will double. 

Grants of between £500 and £1,500 are available

Purpose of this fund

The Fund will support charitable activities that contribute to at least one of the following:

• Improved physical and/or mental health and wellbeing
• Reduced isolation or loneliness within the community
• Increased access to education, learning and employment
• Improvements to the local environment
• Reduced food or fuel poverty

Grants may support a wide range of costs, such as equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.

Who can apply?

Community groups and organisations working to benefit people in Plains and which meet our standard eligibility criteria can apply. Applicants must have a constitution and be set up on a not-for-profit basis. They do not need to be a registered charity but the activity or project they are requesting funding for must be charitable/for community benefit.

Applications from groups/organisations that are not based in Plains will only be considered if they have links with groups in Plains and the project benefits residents in Plains.  

What can’t be funded?

Foundation Scotland maintains a standard list of exclusions which cannot be funded.  This includes anti-wind farm or anti-renewable energy activities, including activities contrary to the interests of Greengairs East Wind Farm Ltd, and any activities likely to bring them, Foundation Scotland or the Plains community into disrepute. Please note this fund does not support applications from individuals.

How are decisions made?

Decisions will be made by a Community Panel made up of local residents, based on assessment information provided by Foundation Scotland.  The Panel represents a wide range of interests and sectors of Plains residents.

Panel decisions are final and there is no appeals process. Applications that do not receive funding awards will receive feedback and where possible, signposted to other sources of funding or advice.