The Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh Community Grants Fund supports local charities, voluntary organisations, and community groups working to improve lives within the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. The foundation provides small grants of up to £5,000 to support community-based activities that address social need. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with funding decision rounds held twice a year.
About The Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh Community Grants FundÂ
The grant is sponsored by the Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh, a charitable organisation that supports communities, NGOs and other voluntary organisations in areas such as education, social welfare and community wellbeing.Â
The grant supports organisations that deliver practical benefits to residents of Edinburgh and nearby areas. The fund program receives applications twice a year.Â
Funding Size
- Typical grant amount: £5,000
- Maximum award: £5,000
- Project duration supported: Not publicly specified.
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Who Can Apply for the Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh Community Grants FundÂ
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- Eligible organisation types: Nonprofits, voluntary and community organisations
- Registration requirements:
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- Projects must benefit the City of Edinburgh and its surrounding districts.
- Projects must improve the economic environment, with priority given to focus themes.Â
- Applicants must meet the Funding Scotland criteria.
- Geographic eligibility:Â
- City of Edinburgh
- East Lothian
- Midlothian
- West Lothian
- Sector or thematic focus:
- Social needs
- Youth
- Elderly
- Education
- Environmental
- Social Enterprise
- Healthcare
- Sport
- Culture and the Arts
Application Process
- Review the fund criteria on the grant website.
- Complete the online application form with organisational and project details.
- Applications must be submitted through the online application portal.
- Applications are assessed by a panel committee, and funding decisions are made during scheduled decision rounds.
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Required Materials
- Proposal
- Financial statement
- Budget
- Proof of organisation registration
Key Dates
- Application deadline: February 27, 2026
- Notification timeline: June 2026Â
The panel committee oversees the selection process of eligible applicants. Submissions are received twice a year, with the notification timeline set for June and December of each funding year.Â
Selection Notes
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- The grant is very competitive, with many applications received each year, and limited funding. Â
- Priority focus areas:
- Social needs
- Youth
- Elderly
- Education
- Environmental
- Social Enterprise
- Healthcare
- Sport
- Culture and the Arts
- Exclusions:
- Organisations with over £500,000 in income over the last financial year.
- Charity organisations not located in the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian or West Lothian.
- Purchase of second-hand vehicles and payment of salaries.Â
