A scenic landscape of rolling hills and mountains beside a loch, under a sky with scattered clouds.

How to apply for funding from Muaitheabhal

Apply

We welcome funding applicants who care about Kinloch, Pairc, North Lochs, North Harris, and the wider Western Isles. We aim for a fair, supportive funding process. If unsure, contact us first for help with your application.

Before you apply:

What Type of Projects Do We Support?

Muaitheabhal Community Trust aims to support both revenue funding (for services, activities, training, and staffing) and capital funding (for buildings, equipment, and infrastructure improvements).

  • We support young people, families, and older people to stay and thrive in our community

  • We improve community infrastructure and services

  • We sustain and promote Gaelic language and culture

  • We support our natural environment and crofting

  • We address social inclusion and support vulnerable groups

  • We help tackle the challenges of remoteness and geography

  • We encourage population growth

Aerial view of an Outer Hebridean landscape with rocky cliffs, green hills, buildings and houses, with an overcast sky.

Pairc Trust’s Resource Centre and Ravenspoint: both supported by small and large grants to continue their pivotal role in the community.

Grant levels and your contribution

What Funding Do We Offer?

  • We have two levels of grant: Small Grant (under £5k) and Large Grant (above £5k but less than £50k)

  • Grant amounts: Up to £50,000 per project. (Higher awards may be considered for exceptional applications with strong community benefit.)

  • Your contribution: We typically fund up to 70% of project costs, with your organisation contributing at least 5% (cash or in-kind)

A woman with grey hair is cutting a cake at a gathering, surrounded by seated people at a table.

Cutting a celebratory cake at the re-opening of the refurbished Harris Charity Shop.

Application steps

Our Process

01

Get in Touch

The best way to get started is to contact our Manager for an initial conversation about the most effective way forward. We aim to respond as soon as possible. At latest we will respond within seven days.

02

Make Your Application

If your project is a good fit, we'll invite you to complete an application. You can view our Small Grant Application Form. Applications for Large Grants begin with the Large Grant Enquiry Form.

03

Review & Decision

Applications are reviewed monthly, with decisions typically made within 4-6 weeks. Small grants (under £1,000) can be fast-tracked. There are no fixed deadlines—we review applications throughout the year.

Three people standing outdoors holding a large cheque made out to Seann Eolaich for two thousand pounds from Muaitheabhal Community Trust, in July 2025.

Presenting Seann Eolaich with a cheque supporting their engagement across Lochs.

Ready to apply?

Apply For a Small Grant

For awards under £5k

Our small grants are aimed at organisations who need support quickly for projects below £5k. The application form is straightforward, and we always aim to respond as quickly as possible. We are aware that, sometimes, funding requests are urgent for extremely valid reasons, and the small grant has been set up to help in just those situations. We always recommend you contact our manager before starting an application.

Check Eligibity Criteria
Small Grant Application Form
Three fishermen in yellow waterproof gear on a boat with crab traps and orange buoys, near a rocky shoreline with green moorland in the background.

Alasdair Kennedy and crew: a business sustained with support from Muaitheabhal.

Ready to apply?

Apply for a Large Grant

For awards over £5k, but under £50k

Our large grants are for projects over £5k in cost, up to a maximum of £50k. To apply for a large grant, you will first need to complete an enquiry form. This is to ensure that you are clear about our purposes and the information we need to process your application, as well as making sure you don't waste any time in applying where there is potentially a limited chance of success.

We want you to have as good a journey to successful application as possible, meeting our vision and values, so please do ask questions at any stage. We may well come back to you with additional questions before your final application is reviewed. We'll also make sure we don't ask unncessary questions and only ask for information that we actually need and will use. We like to have dialogue with our applicants, so please fill in the enquiry form and we can communicate and collaborate to make best use of your time and our funding.

We recommend that you contact our manager before application, but you can review the Eligibility Criteria.

Note: Large Grant Enquiry Form must be completed first. Once that has been reviewed you will be sent a link to complete the Large Grant Application Form.

Contact Muaitheabhal
Large Grant Enquiry Form