Charitable trust’s small grant scheme to re-open

A FUND offering grants of up to £5,000 for small community groups in Shetland will open to applications for financial year 2024/25 from Friday.

Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT) has £100,000 on offer from its small grant budget, which invites bids until 26 January 2024.

Last year 16 charities benefited from the scheme including an award to Sandwick Carnegie Hall to improve the stage, light, and sound facilities and provide better access for users.

Shetland Heritage Association used its grant to help buy audio visual equipment so that members can access digital heritage archives.

Space2Face received an award that contributed to their wellness centre and restorative justice work.

In line with all the trust’s grant aid, the scheme is intended to help reduce inequality and social exclusion in island life.

Awards can cover up to 75 per cent of a project’s costs.

The scheme is open to constituted community groups with a turnover of less than £50,000 a year, operating in social care and welfare, arts and culture, heritage and the environment or sport and recreation.

Trust chair Robert Leask said: “It’s a pleasure to offer this award scheme for another year and I hope lots of groups can make use of it.

“If you’re in doubt about whether your idea might qualify, please get in touch.”

Application forms and further details about the small grant scheme are available on SCT’s website here or by emailing  grants@shetlandcharitabletrust.co.uk