Community Benefit Fund
For community groups and organisations
Grants for not-for-profit community groups with projects that benefit New Luce.
How much: No set limit, but normally no more than £20,000 for one group in a financial year
Funding and schemes
Funding for New Luce
The Trust receives up to £300,000 a year in community benefit from local windfarms. It's spent on what the community has asked for: grants for local groups, help for households, and funding for courses.
Everything here is for people and groups in, or clearly benefiting, the New Luce Community Council area.
A quick guide
Which scheme is right for me?
Answer one question to see where to start. Or scroll down for every scheme.
For groups
For community groups and organisations
Ask for dates: Check current dates with the Trust
What the fund supports: six priority themes
- Community projectsActivities and projects run by and for local people.
- Job creationWork and skills in and around the village.
- Community assetsBuildings, land and facilities the community uses or owns.
- Communications infrastructureMobile signal, broadband and staying connected.
- Reducing the cost of energyHelp with heating and energy costs.
- Tourism developmentBringing visitors to New Luce, guided by a tourism development plan.
For residents
For residents and households
Open: Open since 1 August 2025 Educational Grants Scheme
For residents taking a course
Up to £2,000 towards an eligible course or training, for people living in the area.
How much: Up to £2,000 per person in total (a one-off grant)
Closed: 2026/27 renewals closed on 29 May 2026 Taxi Card Scheme
For households in the area
A pre-paid taxi card for each household, topped up once a year, for journeys to and from New Luce.
How much: £150 a year per household (as last published)
Ask for dates: Forms are usually posted in the autumn Winter Fuel Allowance
For households in the area
A payment each December to help with heating, for every household living in the area all year.
How much: £200 per household (2024/25)
Ask for dates: Ask the Trust Broadband grants
For households with poor broadband
A grant towards installing a satellite broadband system, for homes that can't get a good connection.
How much: A contribution towards installation (conditions apply)
Not sure yet?
Ask about funding Ask before you apply
Tell us about your idea in a few lines. We'll say whether it fits and which form to use, before you spend time on a full application.
Where the money comes from
Windfarm community benefit
Windfarm operators pay community benefit each year to the communities near them. In New Luce it's paid to the Trust, which was set up in 2015 to receive it. Payments come from:
- ScottishPower Renewables Kilgallioch
- ScottishPower Renewables Kilgallioch Extension (from March 2026)
- RES Glenchamber
- Aries
The Board decides how it's spent, guided by the Community Action Plan and by consultation with the whole community, with extra consultation for high-value projects or those with match funding.
Get involved
Membership is free for everyone aged 18 or over who lives in the New Luce Community Council area. Members vote at the AGM and can stand as a director.