TNL Community Fund - Funding Clinic

SVE are hosting a funding clinic with Elodie Mergei, funding officer from The National Lottery Community Fund on 14 July at the SVE offices. These sessions will offer Stirling-based charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises and community organisations free 20-minute one-to-one sessions to discuss their ideas and get expert advice.

The clinic is aimed at organisations with early-stage project ideas that may fit with National Lottery priorities, including community-led work that brings people together, strengthens local places and spaces, supports wellbeing, helps people reach their potential, or responds to poverty, disadvantage, discrimination or other local challenges.

Who can book a slot?

Places are limited, so we are particularly keen to hear from organisations that have faced barriers to accessing funding, have not previously received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, or are working in communities that have been less likely to access grant funding.

Priority will be given to organisations that are:

• Based in, or working with, areas of multiple deprivation, rural or under-served places, or funding cold spots
• Supporting people affected by poverty, disadvantage, discrimination, isolation or barriers to community participation
• Small, volunteer-led or community-rooted, with limited fundraising capacity
• Not previously/recently funded by TNL Community Fund
• Developing a community-led idea but unsure how to shape it into a fundable proposal

What to expect

Each 20-minute appointment will give you the chance to discuss an idea, ask questions about fit and eligibility, and get informal guidance on possible funding routes.

You do not need a fully developed project plan to take part. These sessions are not an assessment, application review or guarantee of funding, but they are intended to make the funder more accessible and support early conversations.

How to book

To request a slot, please complete the short enquiry form. We’ll ask for brief information about your organisation, the community you work with, your project idea, and whether you have previously applied to or received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. This information will allow you to make the most of your time with the funder.

Once we have received the form we will check whether your organisation meets the criteria for the clinic and offer you an appointment time.

Details

Date: 14 July 2026

Time: Slots from 10:30am – 2:30 pm

Location: SVE office, Cameron House, Forthside Way, Stirling

Enquiry form: https://forms.office.com/e/aMS6WPYZ8h