FAQ

Who funds MCT? – When can I apply? – Links to MCC & MCDC – Business Applications – Who’s in MCT? – Can I donate to MCT?

Is MCT part of Morvern Community Development Company (MCDC) or Morvern Community Council (MCC)?

Although we share some initials and previously had a content section nested on MCDC’s website, MCT is a charity in its own right and is completely independent from these other Morvern community organisations.

Where do MCT’s funds come from?

MCT is funded by businesses and philanthropists with financial and/or personal interest in the Morvern area. The existence of MCT allows donors to make contributions to the area safe in the knowledge that those contributions are handled in fair, legal, locally relevant and morally responsible ways. Over the last 10 years, our primary donors have been Glensanda Granite Quarry, together with Elemental Energy and Ardtornish Estate through Community Benefit Payment Agreements. We have also recently gratefully received donations from Morvern Community Development Company (MCDC) and NcNean Organic Whisky Distillery.

Can I learn more about MCT’s income and spending?

Yes! MCT is registered with and regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). You can read more about our objectives, income and spending on OSCR’s site by clicking here. We are also happy to share our annual financial report with anyone who’s interested. Please email us to request a copy.

Can I donate to MCT?

Yes! We are delighted to accept donations from businesses, individuals, groups and philanthropists. You can make a donation to MCT knowing that your money will be treated with the utmost care and that we are a Scottish Charity who are proud to be regulated by OSCR. Occasionally, we receive donations which come with a condition that they are only used for a certain type of benefit in Morvern, for example, Church building care, or projects to do with children’s education. Please contact us in confidence to discuss making a donation, whether large or small. We’d love to hear from you!

Can I only apply for funding or a loan at certain times of year?

MCT meets once every quarter to review funding applications (end of January, end of April, end of July & end of October). In order to allow sufficient time for the Trust to review your application prior to meeting, you should submit an application to the Trust as early as possible.

We try to process requests for micro-funding (less than £1,000) within one to three weeks of reviewing an application if the application is straightforward. Requests for larger amounts of funding do take longer and may necessitate further information requests and meetings between the applicant and the Trust.

We recognise the importance of MCT empowering and enabling the community of Morvern, and not creating obstacles to great ideas. Because of this, we are continually looking at ways to speed up our decisions, including an ongoing focus on making it easier for you to apply. It is particularly important to us that unfamiliarity with applying for grants shouldn’t stop you getting through to us.

Can businesses apply to MCT for funding?

Yes. We offer funding and loans to Morvern-based individuals, community groups and businesses. Depending on who is applying, we may ask for different evidence criteria in terms of supporting paperwork. We do not give funding to pay regular wages, but we may consider crisis loans. If in doubt, please email us in confidence to ask for advice.

Can I buy assets for my business with MCT funding?

Yes. We do consider applications for funding for business assets. We are particularly receptive to being one of two or more funders helping to support your business. Your application to MCT is more likely to be granted if you also have funding from another source, like Business Gateway, for example. We also encourage applicants to detail their own investments in new assets as part of their applications. These preferences help us to deliver the maximum benefits to Morvern from MCT’s funds.

Please note, we will expect you to plan to insure any assets we fund, and for you to nominate an individual or group who will take responsibility for the insurance and the asset.

Who runs MCT?

MCT is run by a group of unpaid volunteer Trustees and Office Bearers. We also employ a clerk. You can see more about the team and read about our Code of Conduct on our Meet the Trustees page, here.

How do I raise a complaint with MCT?

If you have a complaint about MCT, we are very keen to address that. In the first instance, please contact us with a summary of what has gone wrong and how we can help. You may also wish to contact the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to ask for their help. You can read more about how they can help here.

If you have a question about MCT which isn’t answered here, please email us.