Scotmid has called on Scottish charities and community groups to apply for its Community Connect funding.
The convenience retailer is seeking applications for financial support ahead of a 25 March deadline. Nine successful groups across Scotland will receive a share of £75,000.
The funding is made possible through sales of single-use carrier bags in Scotmid stores. Money from each bag sale contributes to a pot which is then distributed through the Community Connect award scheme, with Scotmid Members voting on how the funding is distributed.
Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid, said: “Community Connect is one of the main ways we support our communities, and we are delighted to invite applications from the many charities and good cause groups that work hard to support our communities each day.”
Past recipients of the funding include Finding Your Feet, Community One Stop Shop, Kilbryde Hospice, Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes and CANDU Cancer Support.
Connie Terris, Finding Your Feet’s Grants & Policy Officer, said: “The grant we received enabled us to put on more free clubs and activities such as swimming, skiing, cycling, gardening and our popular social drop-in club ‘Ampu-Teas’ (pictured). Since then, our Scottish amputee community has continued to grow, and we are forever grateful to the Scotmid team for their incredible support. We would encourage all eligible groups to apply to become a Good Cause Group.”
Since Scotmid’s Community Connect scheme launched in 2017, more than £385,000 has been awarded to good cause groups to enable key community projects to come to life, making a valuable difference to the lives of the many people who have benefited as a result.
For further information on how to apply, eligible groups can visit scotmid.coop or send specific queries to membership@scotmid.co.uk. The shortlisted groups will then be announced in April.
