Funding panels
Our community-led funding panels use their local knowledge to make recommendations about which organisations should receive funding, in line with local needs and priorities. There are 12 local funding panels in each of the neighbourhood areas, who meet once a year.
Panel volunteers currently include elected members, community council representatives and staff or volunteers from partner organisations - usually the third sector but sometimes also the public sector. Panel volunteers act as representatives of their group, organisation or constituents. They aim to put the needs of the people they represent first when making recommendations about which projects to fund.
Read the Community Grants Fund guidance for panels 2026/27.
How to volunteer to join the panel
Register your interest to volunteer on a funding panel in your local area.
Membership is open to anyone from a group or organisation with a clear link to one of the 12 local areas. Membership of the panels are confirmed at the beginning of the new financial year.
LeithChooses steering group
The Leith neighbourhood area does not have a funding panel. Instead, the process is supported by a steering group also made up of volunteers. Recommendations are made via an annual public vote also known as participatory budgeting rather than by the steering group. If you’re interested in volunteering on the LeithChooses steering group, you can find out more information on LeithChooses or you can email