Community grants

We offer grants of up to £1,000 to community groups across South Lanarkshire. You can apply for funding to support local activities, buy equipment, run events, or help bring people together. 

How much is available for grants and how is it distributed?

Each of the 4 areas within South Lanarkshire - Cambuslang/Rutherglen, Clydesdale, East Kilbride and Hamilton, has a budget to cover community and playscheme grant allocations. 

You can also apply if you are organising a Fun Day or a Playscheme.

You can only receive one award in each financial year.

What you can use the grant for

You can apply for help with:

• start‑up costs
• buying equipment or materials
• administration or publicity
• local events and outings
• annual outing/entrance fees
• environmental projects
• specialist transport for disabled access
• temporary public entertainment licence

Applications are assessed on their individual merits. However, as a general guide, the following grant levels typically apply:

• £300 - for outings, transport costs, start-up costs, youth clubs, bowling clubs, football clubs and other sporting groups
• £350 - for outings (including entrance fees) and uniformed organisations

What the grant cannot cover

We do not fund:

• ongoing running costs
• food and drink
• personal expenses
• trips abroad
• uniforms or clothing
• hire of equipment or accommodation
• payments to organisers
• repairs, capital works or buying vehicles
• retrospective applications
• speaker or tutor costs
• insurance/licence fees

Who can apply

Your group can apply if it:

• is non‑profit making
• is based in South Lanarkshire (or must be able to demonstrate a benefit to members who live in the South Lanarkshire area)
• has a constitution or set of rules
• has a bank account in the name of the organisation and keeps accounts

You cannot apply if you are:

• an individual
• a political organisation
• a profit‑making group
• a group promoting religious activities (unless the funding is for non‑religious community work)
• gifting items purchased to individuals or other groups

How to apply

You can apply online. You will need to complete the community grant application form and upload supporting documents when applying:

Conditions of grant

Awards made through our grant scheme come with conditions that you must read and agree to by completing and submitting the conditions of grant declaration form. If you do not complete this form, we cannot process your application and it will be delayed.

Service Level Agreements are handled separately.

Application progress

We will acknowledge your application and give you the contact details of the officer handling it. Decisions are made by your local Area Committee. We will contact you within 5 working days of the meeting.

Application deadlines 2026 - 2027 

Dates for each area:

Cambuslang and Rutherglen area - 13 May 2026, 12 August 2026, 21 October 2026, 13 January 2027

Clydesdale area - 20 May 2026, 19 August 2026, 28 October 2026, 20 January 2027

East Kilbride area - 27 May 2026, 26 August 2026, 4 November 2026, 27 January 2027

Hamilton area - 8 April 2026, 3 June 2026, 2 September 2026, 11 November 2026,  3 February 2027