Bank of Scotland Foundation Empower Now Open
Posted on 5 February 2024 by Christie McAlpine in Funding Grants
The Edinburgh based charity, Bank of Scotland Foundation, is encouraging charities that support vulnerable people to apply to Empower, its new multi-year grant programme, is now open to applications.
Empower is the first programme to be launched from the Foundation's new five-year strategy, 'Building a Brighter Future for Scotland', and offers charities who support vulnerable people a three-year unrestricted grant of £150,000 (£50,000 per year).
Donald MacKechnie, Chair of Bank of Scotland Foundation said, " The impact of the cost of living crisis on quality of life is profound, with a particularly devastating impact on vulnerable people who are more susceptible to experiencing harm, discrimination, or disadvantage. Our new Empower programme offers real security and certainty for charities, enabling them to focus on improving the quality of life for some of Scotland's most vulnerable people.”
This unrestricted funding can be used towards core costs, delivery costs, project costs and/or general running costs enabling charities to use their funding in the way that helps them best.
To be eligible for this programme charities must: -
- have a minimum of 3 years accounts lodged and checked at OSCR
- have an annual income of between £150,000 - £500,000 per year
- operate in Scotland
Donald added, “In addition to funding, we are excited to be collaborating with our sole funder, Lloyds Banking Group, to identify opportunities to add value for funded charities. The Group’s colleagues across Scotland are ready to offer strategic support, mentoring skills and volunteering time to help charities grow stronger and thrive beyond the lifetime of their grant.”
The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Thursday, 15 February 2024. Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation's website www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org