Frequently asked questions
The Lady Helen Wood Fund has been designed to make applying for funding as simple and straightforward as possible. We believe charities know their communities best, so we've taken a flexible, trust-based approach that reduces unnecessary paperwork and focuses on the difference your work makes.
Am I eligible?
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Applications are open to registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) registered with OSCR and delivering work across Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire.
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We support projects that benefit children and young people under 18, or adults aged 65 and over. This could include creating opportunities, improving wellbeing, developing skills, reducing isolation, strengthening community connections or responding to other local needs. If your project helps people and communities thrive, we'd love to hear from you.
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Yes. We know that newer organisations can find it difficult to secure funding without an established track record. That's why we've designed the Lady Helen Wood Fund to look beyond an established track record. If you've identified a clear community need and have a well-planned proposal, we'd encourage you to apply.
Applying
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Applications are made online through this website from 3 August 2026. We've kept the process as simple as possible. We'll ask you about your project, who it will benefit, how much funding you're requesting, your proposed timescales and your budget.
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We only ask for the information we need to understand your proposal. This includes:
- A description of your project, including the need you're addressing, the difference it will make and who will benefit
- The amount of funding you're requesting
- Your proposed start and end dates
- Your expected budget for the current financial year
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The Lady Helen Wood Fund operates on a rolling basis, so you can apply throughout the year. Applications for the first funding round open on 3 August 2026 and close on 31st August 2026.
Eligible small and medium grant applicants can expect a decision within 90 days of the applications closing, 29 November 2026 at the latest.
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For eligible small and medium grant applications, we'll let you know the outcome of your submission within 90 days of the application closing.
This may be a decision or confirmation that your application is progressing to trustee review.
Applications for grants over £25,000 require additional assessment and trustee approval, so these may take a little longer.
We'll keep you informed throughout the process.
The funding
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We want our funding to be as flexible as possible. We believe charities know their communities best, so we've designed our funding to be flexible. It can be used for:
- Project delivery
- Equipment
- Core running costs and organisational overheads (full cost recovery is encouraged)
- Improvements to buildings and community facilities
If you're unsure whether your project or costs are eligible, please get in touch - we'll be happy to help.
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There are a few things we aren't able to fund, including:
- Costs already incurred before a funding decision is made
- Projects that benefit only one individual or household
- Loan repayments, deficit funding or debt reduction
- General fundraising appeals or requests that don't align with the purpose of the fund
- Standalone academic research, bursaries or scholarships
- Activities that are a statutory responsibility of government
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We'll let you know the outcome of your application in writing. We would encourage those who were unsuccessful to apply again in the future.
Reporting and impact
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We'll keep reporting proportionate to the size of your grant because we'd rather you spent your time supporting people than completing paperwork.
We'll ask you to tell us about the difference the funding has made and we welcome creative ways of sharing your impact - whether that's a short film, photographs, quotes or stories from the people you've supported. For us, stories matter just as much as statistics.
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No. We know circumstances can change. We're interested in understanding what you're trying to achieve and the difference you want to make, rather than prescribing exactly how funding must be spent. If your plans change, we're always happy to have a conversation.
Let's get started
Applications are now open for the Lady Helen Wood Fund.
If your charity is helping children and young people, or adults aged 65 and over, we'd love to hear about the difference you're making.