APPLY FOR GRANT

Application Guidance

Mental Health & Wellbeing (G Postcodes)

Thank you for your interest in The North Star Trust Charity. To help you submit a strong application, we have outlined our current priorities and the specific criteria for this funding round.

Geographical Focus

For this current cycle, we are exclusively accepting applications from charities or social enterprises whose organisation is located within the G (Glasgow) postcode area, or who can clearly demonstrate that their project’s impact is delivered within the G postcode area. This includes Glasgow city and its surrounding areas covered by the G prefix.

Our Priority Theme: Innovative Approaches to Supporting Mental Health & Wellbeing

We are seeking projects that take a fresh or creative approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing across our communities. While mental health affects people of all ages and backgrounds, we are especially interested in approaches that reach people who may not otherwise access traditional support services.

We are particularly interested in projects that deliver meaningful support through initiatives such as:

  • Early Intervention & Prevention: Creative projects that build resilience and emotional wellbeing before crisis point, including peer support networks, community-led wellbeing hubs, and initiatives that reduce stigma around mental health.
  • Innovative & Digital Approaches: New or under-used models for delivering support, such as digital or app-based wellbeing tools, arts- and nature-based therapies, or approaches that combine mental health support with physical activity.
  • Reaching Underserved Groups: Services that tackle isolation and loneliness, and that improve access to mental health support for groups who face particular barriers, such as young people, older people, carers, or people from minority communities.
  • Workplace & Employability Wellbeing: Projects supporting mental health in the workplace or during the transition into employment, including workplace wellbeing training and early-intervention mental health support for employees, peer mentoring and initiatives that support young people’s mental health as they move into further education, training or the Young Person’s Guarantee.

 

Note: If your project falls under one of our other funding pillars (Community Engagement & Development, Poverty Relief or Suicide Awareness & Prevention) we are unable to accept a full application during this funding window. Please look out for future grant rounds as our priorities and eligibility criteria will change throughout the year.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a grant, your organisation must:

  • Be a registered charity (with OSCR or the Charity Commission) or a recognised social enterprise (e.g. a Community Interest Company or trading arm of a charity)
  • Demonstrate a clear, direct impact within the G-postcode community, either through your organisation’s location or the location of the project’s beneficiaries
  • Demonstrate that the funds will be used towards project costs, rather than staff salaries or running costs
  • Have a bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two unrelated signatories
  • Provide a copy of your most recent independently examined or audited accounts.

What You Will Need

To help us assess your application efficiently, please have the following information ready:

  • Your Charity Number Charity number or Company number if a social enterprise: Registered with the Charity Commission or OSCR.
  • Safeguarding Policy: Where your project involves children or vulnerable adults.
  • Project Overview: Details of your proposed project, who it will support and the outcomes you expect to achieve.
  • Team Overview: The number of staff and volunteers currently working within your organisation.
  • Financial Records: Your most recent completed accounts, including income, expenditure and net asset value.

What We Cannot Fund

Currently, we are unable to provide funding for:

  • Individuals
  • Political or purely religious activities
  • Retrospective funding (activities that have already taken place)
  • Organisations based outside the UK or projects outside G-postcode areas
  • Purchase or refurbishment of property

How to Submit a Strong Application

  • Focus on Impact: Clearly explain how your project will improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in Glasgow.
  • Evidence the Need: Use local data or your own experience to describe why your service is vital for your specific neighbourhood right now
  • Financial Clarity: Ensure your income, expenditure, and net asset values match your most recent accounts

The Decision Process

Once applications close on 28th August 2026, our trustees will review all submissions. We aim to notify all applicants of the final decision within 6 to 8 weeks.