Ardersier Port launches new Community Benefit Fund

A newly created Community Benefit Fund has launched to support local groups in the four Community Council areas of Ardersier and Petty, Cawdor, Croy and Culloden Moor and West Nairn and Suburban.

The fund, which is provided by Haventus, the owners of the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility (Ardersier Port) will provide £100,000 per year to local community groups and activities, for the next ten years.

The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland. The aim of the fund is to enhance the quality of life of local communities. Applications are sought from activities or projects that promote community spirit and activity, and contribute to vibrant, healthy, and sustainable communities.

The fund has two tiers that local groups can apply to - small grants of between £200 and £1000, and large grants of up to £10,000. Applications to the small grants programme can be submitted any time, and large grants will be open for applications four times each year - the deadline for the next round of funding for community organisations is the 30th September.

All awards from the fund are decided by a panel, which is made up of people who live, work or volunteer in the four community council areas. The Panel Members will use their local knowledge and passion to ensure that awards are making a direct impact in the community.

Lewis Gillies, Haventus CEO said:

“It’s great news that the fund is now ready to disburse grants for projects important to communities near our Energy Transition Facility. I realise how much work has gone into the fund from community representatives and Foundation Scotland to get us to this point, and now the reward for this effort will hopefully be seen in how the fund can respond to local needs in a meaningful way|”.

Debbie Herron, Community Funds Advisor at Foundation Scotland, noted the importance of locally available funding:

“The opportunity provided by this funding will make a big difference to local groups by supporting a range of projects and activities. If anyone is unsure about what they can apply for, we are very happy to discuss project ideas”.

Find details of the fund can be found here

Image Credit: Scottish National Investment Bank (thebank.scot)