Cordis Charitable Trust

Could Cordis Charitable Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £10,000 – £100,000
Applications: Not accepted
Decisions: As needed

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Check fit free · no card

oscr.org.uk

About Cordis Charitable Trust

Cordis Charitable Trust is a discreet, registered grantmaking charity based in Scotland. It supports charitable work across education, health, arts, heritage, culture, science, and human rights, with a focus on institutional capacity-building rather than grassroots or individual efforts. The trust has a generalist ethos and prefers to work through established networks, channelling resources to major Scottish cultural and community institutions. It is deliberately low-profile, with no independent website, and favours established charities with proven governance and impact. Cordis operates as a selective backer for professional Scottish institutions, funding project-specific initiatives and organisational advancement that deliver significant public benefit.

What Cordis Charitable Trust funds

The trust funds project-specific initiatives and organisational advancement across its core areas, including education programmes, health and wellbeing efforts, cultural heritage preservation, scientific endeavours, and human rights activities. It prioritises institutional capacity-building, helping established charities strengthen their operations and deliver greater impact. Geographically, the focus is on Scotland, with particular attention to medium and large cultural and community institutions such as museums and galleries. Funding is directed through established networks and prior relationships, supporting work that offers significant public benefit. The trust favours professional, well-governed organisations rather than small grassroots groups, and concentrates its resources on fewer, larger initiatives.

Who can apply

Eligible organisations are UK-registered charities headquartered in Scotland, along with academic institutions. The trust prioritises established charities with proven governance, a track record of impact, and good compliance. It favours medium to large Scottish cultural and community institutions, such as museums, galleries, and similar bodies. It does not accept unsolicited applications, so groups interested in support typically need to be connected through existing networks or prior relationships. Grassroots organisations and individuals are not the focus.

What Cordis Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The trust steers clear of unrestricted or core funding, emergency relief, and seed grants. It also does not fund individuals, and grassroots organisations outside Scotland fall outside its remit. Funding is not aimed at small local groups without an established track record.

How they like to fund

The trust works by invitation through existing networks and prior relationships, rather than accepting unsolicited applications. It supports project-specific initiatives and organisational advancement, often as multi-year institutional funding. The emphasis is on capacity-building for established Scottish institutions, not on day-to-day running costs or emergency appeals. The trust maintains a deliberately low profile, with no public application process.

How much does Cordis Charitable Trust give?

£10,000 – £100,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

EducationHealthArts & culture

How to apply to Cordis Charitable Trust

Cordis Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
Decisions are typically as needed.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Cordis Charitable Trust.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Cordis Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Cordis Charitable Trust provide?

Cordis Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £10,000 - £100,000.

Where does Cordis Charitable Trust fund charities?

Cordis Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Cordis Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Cordis Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Cordis Charitable Trust?

Cordis Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.