Charitable trust branches out with ‘innovation’ grants scheme

A NEW grant scheme has been launched to spark new ideas and fresh ways of working by Shetland community groups and charities.

The innovation grants scheme from Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT) offers one-off funding of up to £3,000.

The funding aims to free organisations from financial risk when implementing new ideas or innovative approaches to activities or services. Grants can cover project costs and/or the necessary equipment.

The trust said key to unlocking an award is to ensure the proposal contributes to its ‘quality of life goals’.

These include improving the wellbeing of individuals or communities, reducing disadvantage and improving generational fairness.

Charitable trust chair Robert Leask said: “We’re known for being prudent and focusing on maintaining stability and sustainability. But trustees acknowledge a need for new ideas to be explored and this new fund encourages that approach.

“We know great things can come when people are allowed the time and space to be creative and experimental. It will be interesting to see what ideas come forward.”

The innovation grants scheme is open to constituted community groups and registered charities.

The closing date for the first round of applications is 21 February. More information and forms are available on the trust’s website.

Earlier this week the charitable trust confirmed its main grants for the next financial year, with spending increasing by £765,000 to just under £9.7 million.

The full list of funding recipients can be found here.