Funding for people experiencing challenges in their lives to help them overcome this and become more resilient. They want to fund activity which means people: are better able to identify solutions that enable them to take control over their lives and build resilience; are able to shape the projects and services they use to better meet their needs; have more access to support and opportunities to improve their lives. The National Lottery Community Fund is the new name for the Big Lottery.

The Foundation supports a broad range of organisations and activities that share a commitment to making a positive impact to the lives of the communities in which they work, and that are driven by a desire to achieve excellence. They make grants across the UK to organisations in the following categories: Arts; Education; Youth; Health; Community; Museums and Heritage; Environment; Religion and Welfare.

The fund focuses on supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable children in both Scotland and overseas. It provides funds to support educate and care for children and young people. In Scotland each of the Peter Vardy Motor retail businesses has a community champion and supports children's charity partners located close to their operating sites in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Kirkcaldy, Motherwell and Dalgety Bay.

Supports Christian charities concerned with social inclusion particularly through ministries of healing and the arts.

The Trust funds a wide range of charitable purposes including the advancement of health, the arts, heritage, culture or science, the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage. They also support Christian churches, hospitals and infirmaries, Scottish architecture and history, refugees, scientific or medical research.

The Trust funds worldwide, with a preference for Scotland. Awards are available to organisations that promote temperance and work to combat drug and alcohol abuse. Grants are available to individuals training for the Reformed ministry and for postgraduate study (PhD) in Theology.

Grants are made to a wide range of charities.

The principal objective is providing grants for the maintenance and repair of church buildings although it may also grant aid other activities of the Church, especially in the field of education. The Repairs and New Build Fund prioritises applications as follows: a) Work to maintain buildings wind and watertight; b) Work to comply with statutory obligations e.g. disabled toilets, disabled access; c) All other work.

The trust reviews its policy every two years - currently the major categories supported are: advancement of education; Christian work or worship; advancement of citizenship / community development; rural and urban regeneration; advancement of the arts and science; the provision of recreational facilities.

The Cinnamon Project Lab competition is looking for ambitious church-based social action projects that want to develop their initiatives so other churches can replicate them. This year they are looking for church-based projects supporting local people with housing needs and building community.