Application Form

No Strings Community Fund from The Knot

Please complete and submit this form if you would like to apply for Funding from the No Strings Community Fund. Grants of up to £200 are available for groups, organisations and individuals based in the Whipman area.

Please note that to be eligible for a grant as an individual you must live in the Whipman area. Groups and organisations must be based in the Whipman area to be eligible.

The Whipman area incorporates Dolphinton, West Linton, Carlops, Macbiehill, Lamancha, Newlands, Romanno Bridge, Mountain Cross, Callands, Blyth Bridge and Kirkurd.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at thewlknot@gmail.com

The deadline for applications for the first round of Funding is January 31st 2026.

No Strings

Contact Name [for correspondence](Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Name of Group or Organisation(Required)

What is the name of your group or organisation and where are you based? (Please check that you meet our criteria by being in the Whipman area as stated above.)

Please give a brief description of what your group or organisation does.(Required)

What would you use your Funds for? Please also give an indication of how many people would benefit from them.(Required)

If you received Funds from The Knot in the past, please give a brief description of how they were used.

If you are successful, your funds will be sent to you by bank transfer Please provide the Name, Sort Code and Account Number for your group or organisation’s bank account.

No Strings Community Fund Terms and Conditions(Required)

Terms and Conditions

No strings Community Donation Scheme – £200 [Max] Grant

Eligibility
- Applicants must reside within the designated Whipman catchment area.
- Applications are open to individuals, families, or community groups seeking support for charitable, educational, or wellbeing-related purposes.
- Only one application per household or group may be submitted per funding cycle.

2. Application Requirements
- All applicants must complete the official application form in full.
- Applications must clearly outline the intended use of the £200 donation.
- Incomplete or misleading applications may be disqualified without notice.

3. Use of Funds
- Funds must be used for the purpose stated in the application.
- The donation may not be used for personal profit, political campaigning, or any activity deemed unlawful or discriminatory.

4. Feedback & Documentation
- Successful applicants are required to provide feedback within 8 weeks of receiving the donation.
- Feedback must include:
- A brief written summary of how the funds were used
- At least two photographs showing the impact or outcome of the donation
- By submitting feedback, applicants grant permission for West Linton Enterprise Group trading as The Knot to use the content (text and images) for promotional and reporting purposes.

5. Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed by the No Strings Community Donation Panel.
- Decisions are final and based on merit, need, and alignment with community values.
- Not all applications will be successful due to limited funding.

6. Privacy
- Personal data submitted will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR and used solely for the purpose of administering the donation scheme.
- Data will not be shared with third parties without consent.

7. Agreement
By submitting an application, you confirm that:
- You meet the eligibility criteria
- You agree to use the funds responsibly
- You will provide feedback with images as outlined
- You accept these terms and conditions in full

I agree to these terms and conditions.

FAQ

We hope the following information will help answer any questions, if not please contact us .

Who can apply?

Individuals who live in the Whipman area and Groups or Organisations based in the Whipman area can apply for funding from the No Strings Community Fund.

The Whipman area includes Dolphinton, West Linton, Carlops, Macbiehill, Lamancha, Newlands, Romanno Bridge, Mountain Cross, Callands, Blyth Bridge and Kirkurd.

How will applications be assessed?

The No Strings Community Funding Group will read each application, assess it on its merits and decide which applicants will receive funding. This Group is made up of representatives from various areas of the community.

If an application has a link to one of the members of the Funding Group, that individual will not have a vote on that application.

Every effort will be made to ensure that each application is assessed in an unbiased and fair way.

Is £200 the maximum limit which can be applied for?

Funds are limited and hence the cap of £200 on each application. However, there may be circumstances where a higher grant is possible. If you need more information about this, please contact us to discuss your application further.

Can more than one application be submitted?

Applications are restricted to one per individual, group or organisation in each funding cycle. However, there is no limit on the number of times an individual, group or organisation can apply in future funding cycles, as long as feedback and photographs have been provided as per the terms of the grant.

How will we know if we have been successful?

You will be contacted by email once the Funding Committee have made their decision for that funding cycle.

How will the funds be sent to successful applicants?

Successful applicants will be advised by email and the funds will be transferred to the Bank Account detailed on the application form.

Why do you ask for feedback about how the funds are spent?

Feedback and photos to illustrate how the funds are spent mean that The Knot can ensure that funds are being used appropriately and for the purpose stated on the application. This is important information as it forms part of The Knot’s annual report to the Financial Conduct Authority and to its members.

It is also a great way to communicate with the community and raise further funds for future projects.

How can we ensure the privacy of participants when we share photos with you?

We understand that you may not be able to provide photos of participants’ faces unless you have specific permissions. Please ensure that you advise us of any photos which cannot be shared on our website. We are happy to accept photos which have faces obscured for privacy reasons as shown in this photo.

What happens if you do not provide feedback?

The terms and conditions of the Fund require feedback (including at least two photographs) within 8 weeks of the receipt of the Funds. A reminder email will be sent if the feedback has not been received within that timescale. If no feedback is forthcoming, the individual, group or organisation will cease to be eligible for any future funding.

Where do the funds come from?

As a Community Benefit Society, West Linton Enterprise Group Ltd trading as The Knot uses the profits generated from the shop to provide the funds.

How often will funds be available to apply for?

The aim is to make funds available every quarter (March, June, September and December), depending on the availability of funds.

New funding rounds will be advertised via The Knot website and social media.

How long will each funding cycle take?

Our intention is to open applications for a 4-6 week period, with funds then being disbursed around 4 weeks after the closing date.

Are any funds available for emergency situations at short notice?

Yes. If you know of a situation where the No Strings Community Fund could help, then please contact us to discuss further.

For example, The Knot funded the purchase of new batteries for the defibrillator in West Linton after it was needed in an emergency.