Business Funding
Directories
Better Business Finance
Better Business Finance provides impartial information and support to businesses and entrepreneurs
looking to develop and grow. They also have a online 'Find Finance' search directory.
http://www.betterbusinessfinance.co.uk/finance
Big Lottery Fund - Funding Finder
Grants to organisations ranging from small local groups to major national charities.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/Home/Funding/Funding%20finder
Big Society Captial - Directory of Intermediaries
Big Society Capital is an independant financial institution which aims to build a sustainable social
investment market. Their Find The Right Investment page has a directory of organisations providing
grants and business support to the social sector. You can filter by type of support and by region.
http://www.bigsocietycapital.com/finding-the-right-investment
Business.Scotland.Gov.Uk - Funding Directory
Allows you to search for potential sources of help with starting up, running or developing your
business, including financial assistance and free or subsidised services which provide advice.
http://www.business.scotland.gov.uk/funding
Funding Central
A free website for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, providing access to
thousands of funding and finance opportunities.
http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/Default.aspx
GRANTNET
A straightforward free-to-use service from Grantfinder can help small businesses, charitable and
community groups to find suitable funding.
http://www.grantnet.com/
Interface
Interface has access to hundreds of academic experts and facilities useful to the creative
sector businesses development. Interface can also help identify funding opportunities to off-set the
cost of your initial collaboration.
http://www.interface-online.org.uk/how-we-can-help/funding
j4bGrants
Database of government and lottery grants for small businesses and voluntary groups.
http://www.j4bgrants.co.uk/Default.aspx
Scottish Enterprise - Attract Investment list
Listing of various grants and funding options that are available to businesses of all sizes for research
and development (R&D), co-investment and technological innovations.
http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/attract-investment
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SCVO Funding Scotland
An online platform signposting funding opportunities for Charities, Community Groups and
Businesses around Scotland. Due to relaunch in 2014.
http://www.scvo.org.uk/running-your-organisation/funding/
UK Sponsorship
Limited company database listing sponsorship opportunities across the UK.
http://www.uksponsorship.com/arts1.htm
Regional
Aberdeen Council for Voluntary Organisations (ACVO)
The Funding & Business Planning team at ACVO provides funding, business planning and other
related services to Third Sector organisations.
http://acvo.org.uk/development/funding/
Dumfries and Galloway Council – External Funding
Regular funding news, bulletins, alerts and deadlines from a range of funding sources.
http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5690
Dundee City Council
A free online search tool providing details of local, national and EU funding support brought to you by
Dundee City Council and J4b plc.
http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/citydevelopment/economicdev/externalfunding/
Edinburgh Council for Voluntary Organisations (ECVO) Noticeboards
EVOC list opportunties for Third Sector and Voluntary Organisations working in Edinburgh including
current funding and grants on their online Noticeboards.
http://www.evoc.org.uk/noticeboard/#funding
Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS)
An online funding portal allows community and voluntary organisations to search for current funding.
The tool enables you to save searches, print results and contains helpful tips on applying for support.
http://www.open4community.info/glasgow/Default.aspx
Public Funding
National
Awards for All
Grants to take part in arts and community activities that promotes education, the environment and
health.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/scotland/awards-for-all-scotland
CEiS Supporting Enterprise
As part of the business planning process, CEiS provide support to organisations who are looking to
cost their services, develop pricing strategies and undertake financial forecasts.
http://www.ceis.org.uk/business-support-and-capacity-planning/finance-funding/
Community Action Network (CAN)
CAN Social Investment deploys a range of funding and business support into social enterprises and
includes the pioneering Breakthrough fund.
http://can-invest.org.uk/services/funds-investment
Commonwealth Foundation
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Annual grants for each Commonwealth Association. Activities which encourage skills transfer and
experience sharing between Commonwealth countries are particularly encouraged.
http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/grants
Event Scotland – National Events Programme
Funding is available to support events outside of the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow that showcase
Scotland and help to generate tourism.
http://www.eventscotland.org/funding-and-resources/national-events-programme/
Firstport Funding
Firstport works together with Scotland UnLtd in Scotland to provide advice and funding opportunities
for new start social entrepreneurs and manage the Scottish Government's Social Entrepreneurs Fund.
http://www.firstportfunding.org.uk/
Foundation Scotland - Enterprise Ready Fund
The Enterprise Ready Fund is a Scottish Government funded programme which will distribute up to
£6M from 2013 to 2015 to help maintain, develop and grow Scotland’s enterprising third sector.
http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/the-enterprise-ready-fund.aspx
Foundation Scotland - Start & Grow Fund
Start & Grow is primarily a loan package with an element of grant funding, to support the development
and growth of both new and existing organisations.
http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/resilient-scotland/our-programmes/start-grow.aspx
Heritage Lottery Fund
Funding for not-for-profit projects with a heritage focus.
http://www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/whatwefund/Pages/whatwefund.aspx
Live UnLtd
Offering young people aged between 11-21 up to £5000 of funding and all the support needed to help
to develop an idea which could change their community for the better.
http://liveunltd.com/
New Enterprise Allowance Scheme
Available to people who have been on Job Seekers Allowance for 6 months or more who want to start
their own business.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-enterprise-allowance-campaign
Prince's Trust
Development Awards are cash grants to help young people get into education, training or
employment.
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/grants.aspx
Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards
These awards aim to support social enterprises and Community Interest Companies looking to grow
their business and improve their local community.
http://www.santanderseda.co.uk/
Shell LiveWIRE
Shell LiveWIRE offers two types of funding awards for young entrepreneurs (aged 16-30)
http://www.shell-livewire.org/
SMART:Scotland
SMART: Scotland provides discretionary grants to support technical and commercial feasibility
studies, and research and development (R&D) projects.
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http://business.scotland.gov.uk/view/funding/smart-scotland
Scottish Enterprise – Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)
Grant scheme available to encourage investment and job creation for businesses of all sizes in
designated areas in Scotland.
http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/attract-investment/regional-selectiveassistance/overview
Third Sector Internships Scotland (TSIS)
TSIS welcomes interest from all areas of the third sector and seeks to support a wide range of
internships in a comprehensive range of organisations.
http://www.3rdsectorintern.com/employers/
Voluntary Action Fund
Scotland's leading independent grant-making body investing in voluntary and community based
organisations throughout Scotland.
http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/funding-and-support/
Youth Business Scotland
Business loans, grants and start-up funding for those aged 18-30 looking to develop a business idea.
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/default.aspx?page=9405
Zero Waste Scotland
An innovation fund dedicated to resource efficient products, services and packaging design.
http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/category/what-we-offer/funding
Regional
Aberdeen City Council – Funding and Grants Assistance
An External and European Funding Service that is available to voluntary organisations and
community groups as well as to teams within the Council.
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/community_life_leisure/grants_and_funding/gra_funding_furt
herinfo.asp
Aberdeen City & Shire First Employee Grant scheme
Provides advice and support for businesses taking on their first employee in Aberdeen City & Shire.
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_firststaff_010311.asp
Aberdeenshire Council
Consider applications from properly constituted voluntary sector organisations whose aims are in line
with the Council's strategic priorities.
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/funding/index.asp
Support for Aberdeenshire Business (SAB)
SAB offers loans and grants to both new and existing businesses throughout Aberdeenshire.
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/support/finance/sab.asp
Dumfries & Galloway - Community Life & Leisure Funding and Grants
Information on a range of grants available to community and voluntary organisations.
http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1236
Dundee - Locate Dundee: Investment, Funding & Support
Information on business grants and sources of assistance and information in Dundee.
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http://www.locate-dundee.co.uk/invest/investment-opportunities-funding-support
Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnership – Community Grants Fund
City of Edinburgh Council provides this small grants scheme for local community activity that supports
the work of the Neighbourhood Partnerships and their Local Community Plans.
http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/about-nps/funding/community-grants-fund
Glasgow City Council
Provide advice and grants for businesses in Glasgow.
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Business/Businesssupport/
Glasgow City Council/ Business Gateway: Start Up Grant
This is a discretionary grant of up to a maximum of £1000 available to applicants at the pre-start stage
or who have been trading up to 6 months, who meet the eligibility criteria.
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9585
Glasgow Life – Social Enterprise Fund
The Community, Sports and Cultural Facilities Social Enterprise Fund supports local communities to
make better use of existing infrastructure.
http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/communities/fundinggrant/Pages/default.aspx
Perth and Kinross Council – Grants & Loans
The Business Growth grant has been designed to assist local businesses looking to undertake viable
growth projects.
http://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/1748/Grants-and-loans
Renfrewshire Leader
Funding for rural areas and communities in Renfrewshire, to support small scale, innovative
community driven projects.
http://www.renfrewshireleader.co.uk/
Fundraising, Foundations and Trusts
Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Trust
Grants to assist voluntary organisations in Edinburgh and the Lothians in their work.
http://www.evoc.org.uk/blog/evot-funds/
Lankelly Chase Foundation
Offers funds and social investment to organisations working to bring about change that will transform
the quality of life of people who face severe and multiple disadvantage.
http://www.lankellychase.org.uk/
Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland
Distributing funds to recognised charities throughout Scotland.
http://www.ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk/index.asp?cookies=True
People's Postcode Trust
Funding for projects that last for 3 months or less. For community groups, charities, not-for-profit
organisations and community interest companies.
http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/
Santander Foundation
Donations to organisations with charitable status for their work within the UK.
http://www.santanderfoundation.org.uk/what-we-fund.aspx
Scottish International Education Trust
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Financial support for individuals to meet training needs in a subject area or institution where public
funds are not available.
http://www.scotinted.org.uk/
The Co-operative Membership Community Fund
Grant scheme which helps local communities throughout the UK.
http://www.co-operative.coop/membership/local-communities/community-fund
The Garfield Weston Foundation
Is a grant giving charity for UK registered charities.
http://www.garfieldweston.org/
The Tudor Trust
Supports voluntary and community groups working in any part of the UK.
http://tudortrust.org.uk/
Private Finance
Angels Den
A website to connect with business angels; people looking to invest in great businesses.
http://www.angelsden.com/
Angel List
AngelList is a community of startups and investors who make fund-raising efficient.
https://angel.co/
DSL Business Finance
DSL is a not for profit company whose aim is to finance start-up and growth companies.
http://www.dsl-businessfinance.co.uk/
European Investment Fund
EIF indirectly supports SMEs by working with a wide range of financial intermediaries, (banks,
guarantee, microfinance institutions, private equity and venture capital funds), that provide microfinance, guarantees and equity capital to SMEs.
http://www.eif.org/
LINC Scotland
National association for business angels in Scotland, with a membership network of hundreds of
investors.
http://www.lincscot.co.uk/
Loans
National
BIS – Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG)
The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) is a loan guarantee scheme intended to facilitate additional
bank lending to viable SMEs lacking adequate security for a normal commercial loan.
https://www.gov.uk/understanding-the-enterprise-finance-guarantee
PRIME Business Start-up Loan
Designed to support people aged over 50 to get access to funds to become self-employed or set up
their own business.
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http://www.prime.org.uk/
Social Investment Scotland
Through loan finance they invest in social businesses that have the capability to make sustainable
social impacts.
http://www.socialinvestmentscotland.com/
Regional
East of Scotland Investment Fund
A consortium of 9 local authorities in the east of Scotland that provides loan finance to new and
growing small and medium sized enterprises.
http://www.eastscotinvest.co.uk/
Edinburgh Small Business Loan Fund
Designed to provide loans to assist a new or expanding small business based in the City of
Edinburgh.
http://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/edinburgh/business-support/
Glasgow Small Business Loan Fund
The loan may be awarded to new or existing businesses which can demonstrate a sound business
proposal together with a proven track record of success.
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5525
Highland Opportunity Fund
Highland Opportunity Limited offers loans at interest rates lower than commercial bank rates,
currently set at 5% on outstanding amounts, to new and growing businesses in the Highland Council
area of Scotland.
http://www.highland-opportunity.com/Highland%20Opportunity%20Services/Opp_Fund.html
Highland Opportunity – Community Enterprise Loan Fund
Loans are intended to support "non profit distributing" community-based enterprises in the Highlands.
http://www.highland-opportunity.com/Highland%20Opportunity%20Services/copy-CELF.html
West of Scotland Loan Fund
A unique consortium of twelve west of Scotland local authorities working together to provide loan
finance to new and existing, small to medium sized enterprises within the west of Scotland.
http://www.wslf.co.uk/
Disclaimer: Cultural Enterprise Office is not responsible for any advice or information provided by any external organisation referenced
in this document.
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Cultural Enterprise Office, 2009 – 2012 www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk T: 0333 999 7989