Scottish charities may apply for grants of up to £20,000 for projects that address two themes: developing and improving local communities or promoting financial literacy and financial inclusion.

Grants are awarded for one year only and can be used for a number of things related to the project, such as rent, equipment and materials.

There are four funding rounds each year, and groups have three more chances to submit an application in 2012: 16 April, 16 July and 15 October. Organisations are normally notified of a decision within two months of the closing date.

Last year the Foundation gave more than £1.2 million to charities across Scotland. Grant recipients were able to use the funding to run volunteering courses in areas of high deprivation; upgrade failing IT systems; provide hot meals and showers for the homeless in Aberdeen; provide financial education for those excluded and disadvantaged from society, among other things.

The Bank of Scotland Foundation is an independent charity working with charities across Scotland supporting people and their local communities. The Foundation receives an annual donation of £1 million from Lloyds Banking Group to fund the Foundation's Small Grants Programme and Employee Matched Giving Scheme.

An application form and further information can be found on the Bank of Scotland Foundation website (see link below).

The Big Lottery Fund has organised a series of events to provide information on our range of programmes in Scotland.
As well as providing an overview of the programmes available, these half day events will give delegates an opportunity for brief signposting sessions with BIG staff.
The format for these events will normally be as follows:
1. A 20 -30 minute presentation covering our current funding programmes
2. 15 – 20 minutes Question and Answer session (general questions following the presentation)
3. The remainder of the time will be spent on the signposting sessions with BIG staff.  The signposting sessions are a chance for a brief discussion (maximum 10 minutes) between individual organisations and a BIG staff member.  Organisations will be able to briefly describe their project and get guidance on which grant might be most suitable to fund it.  If follow up is required this can be done following the event through theirOutreach team.

The event in Orkney will be as follows:
Mon 23rd April
The Picaquoy Centre, Kirkwall
10.00 – 12.30
1.30 - 4.00

To register for one of these events please contact bigscotlandinfodays@biglotteryfund.org.uk

If you have any questions about BIG Info Days please contact our Scotland reception on 0141 242 1400.