Community / Charitable trust’s large grant scheme open for applications
A NEW ‘large grant scheme’ has been opened for applications at Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT).
It comes after the trust fine-tuned its vision for Shetland as a “place to live a happy and confident life, surrounded by a community that encourages and supports everyone”.
The large grant scheme invites organisations to apply for funding for up to five years, “potentially safeguarding the community services they provide at a time of cutbacks and closures across the country”, the trust said.
It is part of the trust’s recently approved by strategy for 2025 to 2030.
Trust chair Robert Leask said: “I’m conscious how fortunate we are to have extra funds available in Shetland focused on improving the quality of life, especially to help those who could benefit most. This is certainly not true for most communities across Scotland.”
SCT wants all interested groups to show how grant money would have a positive impact on the trust’s quality of life goals – promoting a more equal and inclusive community with services that are accessible to all.
They will be asked to show how they are responding more effectively to different voices in the community and how the impact of any grants will be felt across the islands.
Leask added: “Integral to the new strategy is our desire to work more closely with the groups that we fund to maximise the benefits for all and to highlight all the positives that flow from their efforts.”
SCT’s grant funds come from the profits it generates by growing the community funds invested across world stock markets, valued recently at around £430 million.
The large grant scheme is open to charitable organisations with a turnover of at least £50,000 a year.
Groups can seek funds to pay towards their running costs as well as projects that they plan.
Applications can be made now, through SCT’s website. The deadline is noon on 30 August.
Since forming in 1976 with oil funds, SCT has spent more than £350 million in the local community with regular beneficiaries including the recreational and amenity trusts as well as Shetland Arts and care homes.
In 2024/24 there stands to be up to £9 million offer in total from SCT.
In addition to the large grant scheme there is also a small grants fund and a capital works bridging loan scheme.
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