The Community Enterprise Fund offers up to £5,000 in grant funding for groups who want to begin trading or set up a social enterprise so you can generate income, become more financially resilient, reduce reliance on grant funding and be better equipped to support your community.

The fund can be used for most start-up and development costs, including:

• legal fees for setting up a legal entity for the enterprise, and/or registration as a charity or community interest company
• rent for premises/office space
• venue hire
• utilities – including phones
• website, branding, logo design
• marketing materials and stationery
• insurance
• accountancy
• equipment
• laptop and/or software

The fund cannot be used towards existing activities, repairs, or property improvements of a community organisation.

Your enterprise is eligible if you:

• are based in Scotland
• operate primarily for the benefit of people or communities within Scotland
• are a constituted group
• have a bank account in the name of the group
• are not yet been trading on a regular basis
• are not involved in political campaigning or the advancement of religion

This is a free service.

Community organisations who want to begin trading or set up a social enterprise.

After you submit your application, a member of the Firstport team will contact you in 2 to 4 weeks to discuss your ideas. You should receive a decision within 12 to 14 weeks of applying.

To have the best chance of success, we encourage you to access the Accelerate programme by Community Enterprise before applying to help you develop your application. Accelerate is a free support programme for the Third Sector and community organisations, which aims to help groups and organisations become more sustainable and enterprising.

Find out more about the Community Enterprise Fund on the Firstport website.