Please note that if you have an application in progress with us, we will notify you of the outcome of this via email.
As we are receiving increased numbers of applications, we have taken the decision to extend our published timescales for decisions to 10-12 weeks for applications received across all of our Funds. We plan to review this at the end of June and hope at that point to return to our normal published turnaround times.
£2,305,500 was awarded to 76 organisations in April 2025, with a success rate of 58%.
Each of the organisations below demonstrated in their application how their work is contributing to the alleviation of poverty and trauma in Scotland.
If you would like to receive our award announcements directly to your inbox, please sign up to our mailing list.
Award in Focus - Positive Action in Housing
"Positive Action in Housing's Financial Support and Advice Service supports people who are new refugees, EU migrants and members of the Roma community to regain control of their lives when facing financial hardship. Many have fled conflict or instability and arrived in the UK with little or no support. Through one-to-one advice, outreach work and multilingual skills-based workshops, the service helps people navigate the benefits system, understand their rights and manage their money with confidence.
People from ethnic minority and refugee backgrounds face a greater risk of financial exclusion in the UK, and our aim is to support individuals to move from crisis towards security and long-term stability. This work is a vital part of our wider mission to help people rebuild new lives in Scotland with dignity, safety and hope for the future. The service has been running for several years, giving people the tools, knowledge and support needed to move forward." Olivia Sykes, Fundraising Officer, Positive Action in Housing.
Our team says... "Positive Action in Housing is a strong example of what we want to fund through our Financial Security theme, where we want to see a Scotland where people are financially secure and able to live lives free of poverty and poverty-related trauma. People from communities experiencing racial inequity are supported to move towards financial autonomy and stable living conditions, equipping them with the confidence and skills needed to achieve long-term economic stability. The Robertson Trust is a long-term supporter of Positive Action in Housing, and we look forward to learning from their ongoing impact." Michael Smart, Funding Officer.
Financial Security
Through our Financial Security theme, we want to fund, support, and influence to improve income adequacy, income security, reduce cost-related pressures on finances, and improve financial safety nets for people in financial trouble.
April 2025:
Primary Priority: Struggling with day-to-day costs
| Funding Type | Organisation Name | Funding Request | Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Wee Grant | Best Way Community Development | The Family Food Support Project | £3,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Community Transport | YoMo (Young Movers) | Van and associated costs | £14,000 | Glasgow City |
| Wee Grant | Leadhills Parent Teacher Council | The Costs of the Sharing Shed & Launch Event | £1,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Community Transport | Goodies SCIO | Towards the capital costs of a van and associated running costs | £12,000 | East Lothian; Edinburgh City; Fife; Midlothian; West Lothian |
| Community Transport | Radio City Association | Towards the transport running costs | £6,000 | North Ayrshire |
| Wee Grant | Childrens Summercamp Association | Running costs | £2,500 | Glasgow City |
| Small Grant | Diamonds in the Community | Towards the crisis and practical support | £36,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Small Grant | Grace Church Family | Towards the costs of Deeside Compassion | £36,000 | Aberdeenshire |
| Community Transport | Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI) | Towards the costs of purchasing a minibus. | £20,000 | Dundee City |
| Small Grant | Kilsyth Community Foodbank SCIO | Towards the running costs of Kilsyth Community Foodbank. | £45,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Wee Grant | Pennyburn Community Association | Running Costs | £3,000 | North Ayrshire |
| Small Grant | Eyemouth Development Trust | The Salary Costs of the Community Project Worker | £48,000 | Scottish Borders |
Primary Priority: Access to advice, support and advocacy
| Funding Type | Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Large Grant | The Energy Advisory Service (TEAS) | The Running Costs of TEAS | £90,000 | Western Isles |
| Large Grant | Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) | Running Costs of ALI Energy | £114,000 | Argyll and Bute; Highland |
| Large Grant | Legal Services Agency Ltd. | The running costs of Legal Services Agency | £90,000 | Scotland Wide |
| Large Grant | Positive Action in Housing | Running costs | £132,000 | Glasgow City; Scotland Wide |
| Large Grant | Urras Thiriodh (Tiree Community Development Trust) | Towards the Community Support Service and Youth Activities Programme | £63,000 | Argyll and Bute |
| Small Grant | Powerful African Women of Ayrshire | Towards the running costs of Powerful African Women of Ayrshire (PAWA) | £30,000 | East Ayrshire; North Ayrshire; South Ayrshire |
| Large Grant | Rutherglen & Cambuslang Citizens Advice Bureau | Towards the costs of the Financial Wellbeing + Project | £105,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Small Grant | Justness | The Costs of the Welfare Advice Project in Scotland | £10,000 | Edinburgh City |
Nurturing Relationships
We want to see a Scotland where people, families and communities can thrive and not be trapped in cycles of poverty and trauma. We want to support nurturing relationships within families and communities, to help break the cycle between persistent poverty and intergenerational trauma, and support recovery.
April 2025:
Primary Priority: Addressing homelessness, substance misuse, offending
| Funding Type | Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Small Grant | Caraidean Uibhist SCIO | Towards the cost of CRAFT Support Service | £45,000 | Western Isles |
| Wee Grant | Riverview Community SCIO | The Junction | £3,000 | Falkirk |
Education Pathways
The ultimate aim of the Education Pathways theme is to help shape an education system that maximises its contribution to wellbeing, is trauma informed with the aim of preventing and reducing poverty in Scotland.
April 2025:
Primary Priority: Educational Engagement
| Funding Type | Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Large Grant | Voluntary Action Orkney | Towards the costs of the Connect Project | £90,000 | Orkney Islands |
| Small Grant | Lochview Rural Training | Running Costs | £30,000 | Highland |
| Small Grant | Include Us | Running Costs | £24,000 | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Wee Grant | Jambo! Radio SCIO | Running Costs | £3,000 | Glasgow City |
| Community Transport | Go! Youth Trust | Towards the transport running costs | £10,000 | Falkirk |
| Small Grant | The Haddington Bridge Centre | Towards the Bridge Centre Motorcycle Project | £24,000 | East Lothian |
| Small Grant | Parent Action for Safe Play | Running Costs | £36,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Small Grant | Pennyburn Regeneration Youth Development Enterprise | Running costs of the youth programme | £39,000 | North Ayrshire |
| Small Grant | Hope to Oban | Running Costs | £36,000 | Argyll and Bute |
| Large Grant | CentreStage Communities Ltd | Towards the running costs of CentreStage | £126,000 | East Ayrshire |
| Wee Grant | 5th Airdrie Guides | Running Costs | £3,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Small Grant | Transtion Edinburgh South (Scotland) Ltd | The Costs of Youth Work Programmes | £30,000 | Edinburgh City |
| Small Grant | The DataKirk | Running Costs | £51,000 | Edinburgh City |
Work Pathways
Through our Work Pathways theme, we aim to ensure work can be a better route out of poverty by tackling the drivers of in-work poverty, and supporting key population groups who are underrepresented in the labour market, and overrepresented in low paid, insecure work.low-paid
April 2025:
Primary Priority: Skills for employment
| Funding Type | Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Large Grant | Fife International Forum | Towards the running costs of Fife International Forum | £90,000 | Fife |
| Large Grant | Glasgow Council on Alcohol | The costs of the Elevate PSP employability service | £120,000 | East Dunbartonshire; East Renfrewshire; Glasgow City |
Primary Priority: Addressing barriers to employment/training
| Funding Type | Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Large Grant | Fife Employment Access Trust | The Individual Placement & Support (IPS) service | £106,500 | Fife |
| Small Grant | Grampian Opportunities (SCIO) | Towards the Go to Work Club project costs | £30,000 | Aberdeenshire |
Preventing or reducing poverty at a community level
April 2025:
| Funding Type | Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Wee Grant | Branching Out Community Initiative (BOCI) | Running Costs | £2,000 | East Ayrshire |
| Wee Grant | Sereniti | Cost of Vouchers and Family Fun Day | £3,000 | Aberdeen City |
| Community Space | The Pearce Institute | Running Costs of The Pearce Institute | £54,000 | Glasgow City |
| Wee Grant | TLC Inverness | Equipment Costs | £2,500 | Highland |
| Wee Grant | Ardersier Commuity Hub | Running Costs | £3,000 | Highland |
| Wee Grant | Greenock Players | Running Costs | £2,000 | Inverclyde |
| Community Transport | Connect Alloa | The Minibus | £10,000 | Clackmannanshire |
| Community Space | Motherwell North and Craigneuk Parish Church of Scotland | Towards the running costs of the New Opportunities Project | £39,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Wee Grant | Distinctive Dance Academy | Running Costs | £2,000 | Glasgow City |
| Wee Grant | 4th Airdrie Guides | The Summer Camp | £1,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Wee Grant | Woza Theatre Group | Running Costs | £2,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Wee Grant | Forth Valley Men's Shed | Running costs | £2,000 | Clackmannanshire |
| Community Space | Craigsfarm Community Development Project Ltd | Running costs of the community hub | £16,000 | West Lothian |
| Wee Grant | Crawford & Elvanfoot Promotions and Events | The 2025 Fun Day | £1,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Community Space | Larkfield Community Centre | Running costs of Larkfield Community Centre | £16,000 | Glasgow City |
| Community Transport | Badenoch & Strathspey Community ConnXions | Running costs of transport service | £21,000 | Highland |
| Community Transport | Getting Better Together Ltd | Purchase of minibus | £12,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Community Space | Garadh a Bhagh a Tuath | The running costs of Garadh a Bhagh a Tuath | £39,000 | Western Isles |
| Community Space | Gorebridge Community Cares | Towards the salary costs of the Community Development Manager | £48,000 | Midlothian |
| Wee Grant | Crossmichael Community Trust | Running Costs | £2,000 | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Wee Grant | Grantown 1st Brownies | The Weekend Brownie PGL Camping Trip | £1,000 | Highland |
| Wee Grant | Tayinloan Youth Club | Running Costs | £3,000 | Argyll and Bute |
| Wee Grant | Strathspey Camanachd Club | Running Costs | £1,000 | Highland |
| Wee Grant | The Crafthub SCIO | Running Costs | £3,000 | Orkney Islands |
| Wee Grant | Film Forres | Running Costs | £3,000 | Moray |
| Wee Grant | Pathhead & District Community Association (PDCA) SCIO | Running Costs | £3,000 | Midlothian |
| Community Space | The Highbacks | Running Costs | £14,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Wee Grant | Limerigg Action Group | Running Costs | £3,000 | Falkirk |
| Community Space | Ochiltree Community Hub | Running Costs | £18,000 | East Ayrshire |
| Community Space | SEAL Community Health Project | Running Costs | £20,000 | Glasgow City |
| Community Space | The Lossie 2-3 group and Lossie Community Hub | The Running Costs of Lossie Community Hub | £51,000 | Moray |
| Community Space | Pollok United SCIO | Towards the salary costs of the Community Activity & Engagement Officer | £12,000 | Glasgow City |
| Community Space | Hawkhill Community Association | Running Costs | £60,000 | Clackmannanshire |
| Community Space | Kirkton Community Centre (SCIO ) | Running Costs | £16,000 | Dundee City |
| Community Space | Pilton Community Health Project | Running Costs | £54,000 | Edinburgh City |
| Community Space | Village Church | The costs of the Village Hub | £8,000 | Aberdeenshire |
| Wee Grant | Parkinson's Glasgow North Support Group | Running Costs | £1,000 | East Dunbartonshire; Glasgow City |
Wee Grants
- For constituted community groups and charities with an annual income of less than £30,000
- Funding of up to £5,000 for one year only
- Could cover revenue* or capital costs to support your work.
April 2025:
| Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Branching Out Community Initiative (BOCI) | Running Costs | £2,000 | East Ayrshire |
| Best Way Community Development | The Family Food Support Project | £3,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Sereniti | Cost of Vouchers and Family Fun Day | £3,000 | Aberdeen City |
| 5th Airdrie Guides | Running Costs | £3,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Jambo! Radio SCIO | Running Costs | £3,000 | Glasgow City |
| TLC Inverness | Equipment Costs | £2,500 | Highland |
| Leadhills Parent Teacher Council | The Costs of the Sharing Shed & Launch Event | £1,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Ardersier Commuity Hub | Running Costs | £3,000 | Highland |
| Greenock Players | Running Costs | £2,000 | Inverclyde |
| Distinctive Dance Academy | Running Costs | £2,000 | Glasgow City |
| 4th Airdrie Guides | The Summer Camp | £1,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Woza Theatre Group | Running Costs | £2,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Riverview Community SCIO | The Junction | £3,000 | Falkirk |
| Forth Valley Men's Shed | Running costs | £2,000 | Clackmannanshire |
| Crawford & Elvanfoot Promotions and Events | The 2025 Fun Day | £1,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Childrens Summercamp Association | Running costs | £2,500 | Glasgow City |
| Pennyburn Community Association | Running Costs | £3,000 | North Ayrshire |
| Crossmichael Community Trust | Running Costs | £2,000 | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Grantown 1st Brownies | The Weekend Brownie PGL Camping Trip | £1,000 | Highland |
| Tayinloan Youth Club | Running Costs | £3,000 | Argyll and Bute |
| Strathspey Camanachd Club | Running Costs | £1,000 | Highland |
| The Crafthub SCIO | Running Costs | £3,000 | Orkney Islands |
| Film Forres | Running Costs | £3,000 | Moray |
| Pathhead & District Community Association (PDCA) SCIO | Running Costs | £3,000 | Midlothian |
| Limerigg Action Group | Running Costs | £3,000 | Falkirk |
| Parkinson's Glasgow North Support Group | Running Costs | £1,000 | East Dunbartonshire; Glasgow City |
Community Spaces
- Funding to support local communities experiencing poverty and trauma in Scotland.
- Registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000 are eligible to apply.
- Can provide revenue funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, for up to 3 years, to support the costs of community centres, hubs or anchor organisations who are delivering and/or hosting a range of services and activities to meet the needs of their community. Applicants should show how the various services they deliver and/or host relate to preventing or reducing poverty and trauma for local people.
April 2025:
| Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| The Pearce Institute | Running Costs of The Pearce Institute | £54,000 | Glasgow City |
| Motherwell North and Craigneuk Parish Church of Scotland | Towards the running costs of the New Opportunities Project | £39,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Craigsfarm Community Development Project Ltd | Running costs of the community hub | £16,000 | West Lothian |
| Larkfield Community Centre | Running costs of Larkfield Community Centre | £16,000 | Glasgow City |
| Garadh a Bhagh a Tuath | The running costs of Garadh a Bhagh a Tuath | £39,000 | Western Isles |
| Gorebridge Community Cares | Towards the salary costs of the Community Development Manager | £48,000 | Midlothian |
| The Highbacks | Running Costs | £14,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Ochiltree Community Hub | Running Costs | £18,000 | East Ayrshire |
| SEAL Community Health Project | Running Costs | £20,000 | Glasgow City |
| The Lossie 2-3 group and Lossie Community Hub | The Running Costs of Lossie Community Hub | £51,000 | Moray |
| Pollok United SCIO | Towards the salary costs of the Community Activity & Engagement Officer | £12,000 | Glasgow City |
| Hawkhill Community Association | Running Costs | £60,000 | Clackmannanshire |
| Kirkton Community Centre (SCIO ) | Running Costs | £16,000 | Dundee City |
| Pilton Community Health Project | Running Costs | £54,000 | Edinburgh City |
| Village Church | The costs of the Village Hub | £8,000 | Aberdeenshire |
Transport Grants
- For registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £2 million
- Funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, for 1-3 years, to contribute towards the costs of transport to support your work.
April 2025:
| Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| YoMo (Young Movers) | Van and associated costs | £14,000 | Glasgow City |
| Go! Youth Trust | Towards the transport running costs | £10,000 | Falkirk |
| Connect Alloa | The Minibus | £10,000 | Clackmannanshire |
| Goodies SCIO | Towards the capital costs of a van and associated running costs | £12,000 | East Lothian; Edinburgh City; Fife; Midlothian; West Lothian |
| Radio City Association | Towards the transport running costs | £6,000 | North Ayrshire |
| Badenoch & Strathspey Community ConnXions | Running costs of transport service | £21,000 | Highland |
| Getting Better Together Ltd | Purchase of minibus | £12,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI) | Towards the costs of purchasing a minibus. | £20,000 | Dundee City |
Small Grants
- For registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £200,000.
- Revenue funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, for up to five years.
- Unrestricted or restricted funding.
- Can include the costs of equipment to support your work.
April 2025:
| Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| Lochview Rural Training | Running Costs | £30,000 | Highland |
| Transtion Edinburgh South (Scotland) Ltd | The Costs of Youth Work Programmes | £30,000 | Edinburgh City |
| Include Us | Running Costs | £24,000 | Dumfries and Galloway |
| The DataKirk | Running Costs | £51,000 | Edinburgh City |
| The Haddington Bridge Centre | Towards the Bridge Centre Motorcycle Project | £24,000 | East Lothian |
| Parent Action for Safe Play | Running Costs | £36,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Caraidean Uibhist SCIO | Towards the cost of CRAFT Support Service | £45,000 | Western Isles |
| Pennyburn Regeneration Youth Development Enterprise | Running costs of the youth programme | £39,000 | North Ayrshire |
| Diamonds in the Community | Towards the crisis and practical support | £36,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Grace Church Family | Towards the costs of Deeside Compassion | £36,000 | Aberdeenshire |
| Powerful African Women of Ayrshire | Towards the running costs of Powerful African Women of Ayrshire (PAWA) | £30,000 | East Ayrshire; North Ayrshire; South Ayrshire |
| Kilsyth Community Foodbank SCIO | Towards the running costs of Kilsyth Community Foodbank. | £45,000 | North Lanarkshire |
| Justness | The Costs of the Welfare Advice Project in Scotland | £10,000 | Edinburgh City |
| Eyemouth Development Trust | The Salary Costs of the Community Project Worker | £48,000 | Scottish Borders |
| Hope to Oban | Running Costs | £36,000 | Argyll and Bute |
| Grampian Opportunities (SCIO) | Towards the Go to Work Club project costs | £30,000 | Aberdeenshire |
Large Grants
- For registered charities with an annual income of over £200,000 and up to £2 million.
- Revenue funding of between £20,000 and £50,000 per year, for up to five years.
- Unrestricted or restricted funding.
- Can include the costs of equipment to support your work.
April 2025:
| Organisation Name | Funding Request | Total Amount Awarded | Project Location |
| The Energy Advisory Service (TEAS) | The Running Costs of TEAS | £90,000 | Western Isles |
| Voluntary Action Orkney | Towards the costs of the Connect Project | £90,000 | Orkney Islands |
| Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) | Running Costs of ALI Energy | £114,000 | Argyll and Bute; Highland |
| Legal Services Agency Ltd. | The running costs of Legal Services Agency | £90,000 | Scotland Wide |
| Positive Action in Housing | Running costs | £132,000 | Glasgow City; Scotland Wide |
| Urras Thiriodh (Tiree Community Development Trust) | Towards the Community Support Service and Youth Activities Programme | £63,000 | Argyll and Bute |
| Fife International Forum | Towards the running costs of Fife International Forum | £90,000 | Fife |
| Rutherglen & Cambuslang Citizens Advice Bureau | Towards the costs of the Financial Wellbeing + Project | £105,000 | South Lanarkshire |
| Fife Employment Access Trust | The Individual Placement & Support (IPS) service | £106,500 | Fife |
| Glasgow Council on Alcohol | The costs of the Elevate PSP employability service | £120,000 | East Dunbartonshire; East Renfrewshire; Glasgow City |
| CentreStage Communities Ltd | Towards the running costs of CentreStage | £126,000 | East Ayrshire |
Download our report here.
The most common decline reason was that the applicant’s request was not clearly linked to reducing or preventing poverty and trauma for the people they support, in line with our funding themes and priorities. 75% of unsuccessful applications were declined for this reason. We are interested in supporting organisations whose work clearly addresses our funding themes (and priorities), which we detail within the applicant guidance for each of our Funds. For some more examples of the types of work we have supported recently, please see our latest awards here.
If you have any questions about applying for Our Funds, please contact us on 0141 353 4321 or funding@therobertsontrust.org.uk.
