The GoFurther Fund is committed to transforming local lives alongside GoFibre’s mission of improving rural connectivity and addressing the digital divide head-on. The Fund provides grants to local projects and activities under the following four categories:
GoFurther Fund
In July 2023, to celebrate 50,000 homes being enabled for GoFibre’s ultra-fast broadband, GoFibre set up the £50,000 GoFurther Fund with the goal of supporting charities, community groups and other organisations which have already, or intend to, make an impact locally within GoFibre’s original network-build locations in East Lothian, Fife and the Scottish Borders. In February 2024, GoFibre launched the second round of the GoFurther Fund in Aberdeenshire and Angus. This second round of funding is now closed. Thank you to all applicants, we’ll be in touch soon. Check back here for updates on our plans to launch a third round of funding later in 2024.
GoFurther Fund Marks First Anniversary with Funding Boost to Aberdeenshire and Angus Charities
One year on from the launch of our GoFurther Fund, we’ve announced the second round of successful funding awards. The charities in Aberdeenshire and Angus, have received a slice of the £50,000 fund launched last summer.
This year’s winning charities are: The Haven (Aberdeenshire, £3,000), Kirrie Connections (Angus, £3,000), North East Sensory Services (Angus, £3,000)
The Haven offers a wide range of free activities to combat social isolation, Kirrie Connections 'Pathfinders Project,' helps people with dementia in Angus, in collaboration with local artists and North East Sensory Services (NESS) will enhance peer support and social groups for over 6,250 individuals with sight or hearing loss, with our funding enabling volunteer training.
And we caught up with all five of last year’s recipients in the Borders and East Lothian.
These brilliant charities have shared a bit about their vital community-based services, and the difference Go Further Funding has made to them, in some extremely watchable videos. And we caught up with all five...
Tartan Talkers
Based in Dunfermline, Tartan Talkers is a men’s mental health and suicide prevention charity
Into Work
Into Work is an employability charity based in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian, helping people with neurodiversity disabilities and mental health challenges.
Heids & Herts
A charity that aims to foster social connection across North East Fife.
Escape Youth Services
Escape Youth Services is a youth-focused charity based in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, providing a drop-in service for young people between the ages of 8 and 19.
The Bridges Project
Based in East Lothian and Midlothian, Bridges Project is a youth-work charity that provides tailored support for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.
Transforming local lives
1) Creation of new jobs or opportunities
- Supporting individuals in communities to enter or re-enter into employment. - Providing career change opportunities. - Giving local people opportunities to gain work experience.
2) Developing skills and the local economy
- Providing training and upskilling opportunities for local people. - Providing digital upskilling opportunities for all locals from the young to the older generation. - Supporting the growth of local businesses.
3) Promotion of good health and wellbeing
- Supporting individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices. - Supporting individuals of all ages and backgrounds with their physical and mental wellbeing.
4) Contribution to Net Zero targets
- Leading the community to make better choices for the environment. - This may not be the organisation’s primary purpose, but they are making efforts to help tackle climate change through their activities.
Additional criteria:
In addition to addressing at least one of the objectives above, your organisation should comply with the following: - Registered charity or not-for-profit organisation. - Locally managed / local presence within specified locations. - Relevant Disclosure Scotland checks.
How do I apply?
1
Download our application form
If you're eligible to apply, fill out the simple application form linked at the top of this page.
2
Application screening
Your application will be screened by the GoFurther team to ensure it matches our funding criteria. If it doesn't, we'll let you know.
3
Application shortlisting
If your application meets our criteria, you'll be shortlisted and our GoFurther panel have the tricky job of deciding who to award funding to.
4
The decision
If it's you, we'll give you the great news alongside timescales for fund award and what happens next, including how we share the news!
Frequently asked questions
Why did GoFibre set the fund up?
As a socially-responsible business, it is important for us to give back to the communities within which we are operating. We are currently experiencing a cost of living crisis, on top of funding cuts, so the GoFurther Fund comes at an important time for local causes in need of support.
How often will the funding become available to organisations?
It is our intention to open applications on a quarterly basis. The current round of funding closes on September 22nd and will re-open again mid October.
Will the GoFurther Fund be topped up each year?
Yes, the GoFurther Fund is a long-term commitment which we will contribute to on an annual basis.
Is there a limit to how many times you apply, regardless of whether you’re successful or not?
No, there is no limit so we’d encourage you to apply as and when you have an appropriate concept/project in mind.
Will there be a limit to how many businesses within each area receive support?
No, we will be basing our decisions upon who is worthy of the funding and who will, ultimately, add the most value by delivering their proposed project/activity.
Does the organisation need to have charitable status?
No, you don’t need to have charitable status.
Can projects outside the locations specified (Borders, East Lothian and Fife) be considered?
No, not at the moment but we’d love to expand this activity in the future if the demand is there.
How do you choose who gets grants?
The GoFurther panel comprises of some of our key GoFibre team: Peter Flockhart (Chief Finance Officer) Emily Dixon (Chief People Officer) Laura Weir (Head of Marketing) and Phil Brady (Head of Compliance).
Can I apply for more than one project?
Yes, there is currently no limit to the amount of applications you can submit.
How is the money paid?
Successful applicants will nominate a key bank account for their organisation and we’ll liaise directly with you on the date that funds will be transferred.
How long does the application process take from submission to a successful recipient receiving funds?
Each allocation of funding is awarded on a quarterly basis, therefore generally the funding is awarded within 3 months of application unless otherwise stated by the applicant.
How much will each successful applicant receive from the Fund?
Up to £3,000.
Is there a limit on the size of the local organisation that can apply?
There isn’t! As long as your group is a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation then we’re all ears.
