Funding to Address Food Insecurity and Social Isolation in Scotland

Small grassroots community organisations can apply now for a grant to help them in their work next winter to support those facing social isolation and food insecurity in Scotland.

Administered by Foundation Scotland, the Baillie Gifford Grants Programme is funded by Baillie Gifford, an investment management firm based in Scotland.

The fund aims to support small local organisations working to address food insecurity and social isolation. Priority will go to projects benefitting the most vulnerable groups, including children and families on low incomes, veterans, people with disabilities and long-term health conditions and those affected by homelessness.

The programme welcomes applications which:

  • Help people to access nutritious food, especially for those on a limited budget, and projects which help people to learn about low-cost meal solutions, to limit food waste and shop smartly.
  • Provide services and activities which reduce social isolation, including encouraging re-engagement with community activity following the pandemic.

There is particular interest in preventative projects which address the root causes of food insecurity and social isolation. This could be, for example, projects which address the underlying issues causing people to face these difficulties such as advocacy or advice services, counselling or mentoring support, or support accessing work and volunteering opportunities

Grants up to £5,000 per annum are available for up to three years with a maximum of £15,000 per group.

The fund can support core costs as well as project costs. However, it can only support applications where the grant request is at least 25% of the total costs. Projects with a total cost of more than £60,000 will not be accepted.

Applications will only be accepted from constituted groups with an annual income of less than £250,000 who are working in Scotland.

The deadline for applications is 18 September for notification in November 2023.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)