Crown Estate Scotland Community Capacity Grants Programme

Total Value of Fund

• Crown Estate Scotland currently has £350,000 available for grant distribution via the Community Capacity Grants Programme. 
• The wider Sustainable Communities Fund (of which this programme is part) has provided more than £1.2 million to Community Capacity Grants over recent years.

Amount that can be applied for

• Grants are available at a minimum of £20,000 and up to £50,000 per project, payable over a one-year period.

Percentage that can be applied for

• There is no fixed match-funding percentage required, the fund can fully fund projects up to 100% of their eligible costs. However, if a project’s total cost exceeds £50,000, additional funding sources will be considered in assessment.

Who can apply

The programme is open to community organisations that:
• Are within 5 miles of Scotland’s coastline or estuarine foreshore, or
• Are within 5 miles of one of Crown Estate Scotland’s four rural estates: Glenlivet, Fochabers, Whitehills or Applegirth. 
• Applicants must also meet Foundation Scotland’s Common eligibility criteria as the programme is administered by Foundation Scotland on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland.

Aims of the fund

The programme is designed to provide early-stage revenue support that helps communities:
• Create self-sustaining community enterprises promoting sustainable economic, social and/or environmental benefits.
• Contribute to local regeneration through improvements to buildings or community spaces that support these enterprises. 
• Eligible projects should align with themes such as sustainable rural/coastal housing, climate-resilient communities, community infrastructure, skills/enterprise & circular economy, and sustainable tourism/recreation.

Timing

• The 2025 round launched on September 1, 2025 with an Expression of Interest deadline of October 6, 2025.
• Selected applicants were invited to a Stage 2 application by November 14, 2025 with full submissions due by December 8, 2025.
• Final decisions are expected in February 2026.

Crown Estate Scotland’s Community Capacity Grants (via the Sustainable Communities Fund) have supported:
• Arran Development Trust: received ~£48,060 for sustainable rural/coastal housing addressing depopulation in Blackwaterfoot. 
• Community marina and infrastructure feasibility work: e.g., feasibility and design of amenities hubs with EV facilities. 
• Scourie Community Development Company: ~£32,820 to explore feasibility of a seaweed farm industry. 
• Tobermory Harbour Association: ~£29,000 to redevelop Aros waterfront for community leisure and education.

Contact info

• Central Systems Support:
Tel: 0131 524 0300
Email: grants@foundationscotland.org.uk
 (for application process and technical enquiries) 

• Criteria and Fund Priority Enquiries:
Helen Wray, Head of Philanthropy & Quality
Tel: 0131 524 0316
Email: helen@foundationscotland.org.uk