Groups and projects across East Dunbartonshire are being urged to follow in the footsteps of a Kirkintilloch organisation which recently secured funds to help local residents.
The latest round of the Council's Community Grants Scheme is open until 9 January 2026. Visit the Community Grants Scheme page to apply and access more information.
Hillhead Housing Association (HHA) recently received £5,895 – which was used to buy supermarket and fuel top-up vouchers for 46 households facing financial hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis or struggling to make ends meet while awaiting Universal Credit.
A spokesperson for HHA said, “We were very pleased. The vouchers were paid to people from all walks of life and of all ages; teens to pensioners.
“We would like to thank the Council for this funding, as without it, we would not have been able to provide the support to local residents. It cannot be stated enough how much it has improved people’s living conditions and made a real impact on the support that Hillhead Housing Association has been able to provide.
“We would encourage all community groups to apply to the fund – the application is straightforward to complete.”
The Community Grants Scheme is fully externally financed – with the Council utilising the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund and the Talbot Crosbie Bequest charitable trust.
Organisations can request a grant of up to £5,000 or £10,000. The maximum, over the course of a year, a group can receive is £15,000.
Applications are being invited from groups that have a constitution and a bank account, are not for profit, can provide independently-verified accounts and aim to bring benefits to residents of East Dunbartonshire.
We would like to thank the Council for providing this funding, as without it, we would not have been able to provide the support to local residents.
Funding can be sought for start-up costs, special projects, equipment and salaries.
Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, "I would encourage all eligible groups and projects to follow the lead of Hillhead Housing Association, which successfully applied for funding and continues to make a difference to local lives.
“The Community Grants Scheme aims to support and empower organisations carrying out excellent work at the heart of our communities. It is fully externally funded – ensuring we can continue to support worthy causes locally, despite ongoing financial challenges.”
Don’t miss out, visit the Community Grants Scheme page for details – including guidance and eligibility criteria – before 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026.
If any individual or group is unfamiliar with the application process and needs assistance, the Community Planning team can be contacted by emailing communityplanning@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or calling 0300 123 4510.
Applications are assessed by the Grants Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations for awards to the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Board.
The CPP includes representatives of the Council, East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, the Health and Social Care Partnership, the Leisure and Culture Trust, Police Scotland and other organisations providing public services locally.
It is anticipated that applicants will be informed if they have been successful by March 2026.
