Community Benefits Wishlist FAQs
How does my community group apply to the Community Benefits Wishlist?
The application is completed online, via this link. Once you have completed the application, you will receive a confirmation email and one of our team will be in touch to confirm that your project has been added to the Wishlist. If we require more information about your group, or your proposed project, we will contact you via the email address you provide in your application.
Is my community group guaranteed to receive support from a business?
Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee that your project will be supported. We will try our best to ensure that your project receives help by regularly liaising with businesses and encouraging them to consider various avenues of support.
When will I find out whether my wish has been fulfilled by a business?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to say when an application may be fulfilled as it is dependent on the businesses that we are working with, the amount of community benefit they are required to provide and what it is that they can provide. The Wishlist is regularly reviewed to match wishes to a business. One of our officers will contact the applicant when an appropriate match is made.
What happens if a business would like to support my project?
If a business would like to support your project, they will inform us in the first instance. We will provide them with your contact details and they will contact you directly to discuss the project and what they can offer you.
How much can the financial donation be?
There is no set value to a financial donation for a business which simply wishes to donate to a community group. Where a business chooses to make a financial donation in order to fulfil their contractual community benefits obligations, the standard financial donation is £250. We realise that this is unlikely to cover the full cost of your project but we encourage you to assess how else your project could be supported, other than with a financial donation.
What can my community group ask for?
Your request must be realistic and within the realms of possibility for businesses, so please be considerate of both the financial and the time implications. Previous projects that have been supported have been:
- Financial donation to local foodbanks
- Reusing tar planings from previous roadworks and labour to resurface a muddy parking area offered for no cost
- Financial assistance to buy equipment for making breakfast and developing a cooking class for school pupils
- Excess timber from a construction project donated to a local community group
How long is my community group’s wish valid for?
Your wish will be valid for a maximum of 12 months from 1 April – 31 March. We will contact you on a quarterly basis to ensure that your request is still accurate and if it’s not, we will remove it from our records.
Can I speak to someone about this process?
Of course. Please send an email to our Communities and Partnerships team at communitygrants@scotborders.gov.uk and one of our team will happily talk you through the process and answer any questions you have.