Latest news with #FoundationScotland
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Community fund launched to support local Scottish groups
Launched by Scotland's Railway, the fund aims to help local groups across Scotland turn their ideas into reality, with grants of up to £3,000 available for projects that support the economy, promote equal opportunities, or improve wellbeing. The fund was launched on June 20 at Keir Hardie Memorial Primary School in Motherwell, which previously benefited from similar support to create outdoor learning and play spaces for pupils. Read more: Man hit by car amid 'targeted incident' on busy Glasgow road Glasgow MSP pays visit to care home as part of nationwide celebration Signage appears for global retailer's second Scottish store in Glasgow Liam Sumpter, managing director of Network Rail Scotland, said: "Connecting people is about more than building the right infrastructure. "Our dedicated community teams get right into the heart of communities, finding out what matters to local people, and helping to deliver positive change. "This new fund empowers local groups to address their specific needs that might otherwise go unfunded. "Whether it's refreshing community spaces, supporting young people, or launching environmental initiatives, we look forward to playing a part in their success." The fund is part of Network Rail's broader social value strategy, which also includes volunteering, school partnerships, and safety programmes. It is supported by partners including Story Contracting Ltd, AmcoGiffen, QTS, Siemen, VolkerRail, Taziker, Rail Systems Alliance, and SPL Powerlines. The fund will be managed and distributed by Foundation Scotland. Helen Wray, head of philanthropy and quality at Foundation Scotland, said: "We are delighted to be supporting Network Rail with the delivery of their new Rail Community Fund. "This partnership will help channel small grants to communities across Scotland, enabling local groups to deliver meaningful projects that strengthen community connections and bring positive change." The first application cycle opens on July 28, with successful applicants to be announced in early November. Eligible groups can apply through the Foundation Scotland website.
Edinburgh Reporter
17-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Local Citizens Advice Bureau receives £100,000 funding boost
Citizens Advice Edinburgh will receive £100,000 in new funding over the next two years from independent funder Foundation Scotland. The local charity, which has four offices in the city as well as an advice website, will receive £50,000 each this year and £50,000 in the next financial year. The award is part of Foundation Scotland's £12million fast-tracked 'Response Fund', designed to support organisations which serve the hardest hit communities across the country. The funding programme comes in response to increased pressure on charities and community groups, many of whom are seeing a surge in demand for services while they themselves are facing reduced capacity and soaring overheads, such as utilities, staffing and National Insurance costs. Citizens Advice Edinburgh delivers free, confidential, life-changing advice from four different bureaux, 20 outreach locations across the city, online, and by telephone. In 2024/25, Edinburgh CAB provided advice to 12,000 people, delivering a total of £5 million in the form of compensation, benefit payments, with-held wages and other financial assistance. Benjamin Napier, CEO of Citizens Advice Edinburgh, said: 'This funding is a recognition of both the need and the quality of the work our advisers do and is a real vote of confidence in our service. It will help us to deliver our free confidential impartial advice to more local people at a time when demand for advice and support hits record levels. 'I'd like to say a huge thank you to Foundation Scotland for the support, and also to all the staff and volunteers in our CAB who continue to work each day to better the lives of people across Edinburgh.' Giles Ruck, CEO of Foundation Scotland said: 'CABs are often the first point of contact for people in crisis. Advisers and volunteers work tirelessly to provide the support and solutions needed to alleviate peoples' worried but as charities themselves, CABs face their own set of pressures. 'As Scotland's Community Foundation, we're acutely aware that people across the country are continuing to face ongoing financial hardship, struggling to keep their heads above water or pay their bills. L-R Benjamin Napier CEO CAB Edinburgh, Giles Ruck CEO Foundation Scotland and David Hilferty Director of Impact Citizens Advice Scotland Like this: Like Related
