R S Macdonald Charitable Trust

Could R S Macdonald Charitable Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £15,000 – £55,000
Where they fund: Scotland
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form
Decisions: Bi annually

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

Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card

About R S Macdonald Charitable Trust

The R S Macdonald Charitable Trust is a Scottish grant-maker supporting registered charities that work with children and young people, disabled people, and animals across Scotland. The Trust places a strong emphasis on building relationships with the charities it funds and encourages collaboration between organisations. Its funding character is relational, aiming to strengthen the Scottish voluntary sector through a range of grant programmes, from small grants for core costs and equipment to larger main grants and strategic partnerships. Multi-year funding is available for up to three years, reflecting a commitment to sustained support. The Trust also funds dedicated medical research focused on disability, with an emphasis on excellence and development in research.

What R S Macdonald Charitable Trust funds

The Trust funds work that directly benefits people in Scotland, with thematic priorities including tackling child abuse and neglect, supporting people with visual impairment, advancing neurological conditions such as MS and MND, and promoting animal welfare. It supports a variety of activities including project delivery, core costs, capital works, and research. Grants are available for registered charities operating across Scotland, with a focus on building relationships and supporting collaboration. The Trust also offers strategic grants, by invitation only, which focus on partnership, innovation, and scaling proven programmes.

Who can apply

Registered charities based in Scotland and delivering work in Scotland are eligible to apply. The Trust does not fund individuals or organisations that are not registered charities. It supports a range of charity sizes, from small community groups to larger organisations, with no income thresholds specified. The Trust prioritises work that benefits people in Scotland and encourages collaboration between charities. It will not consider applications from organisations that have been declined within the past 12 months, and only one grant can be held at a time.

What R S Macdonald Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund individuals or organisations that are not registered charities. It also excludes campaigning work from all grant programmes. Additionally, organisations that have been declined within the past 12 months are not eligible to apply, and only one grant can be held at a time. Strategic grants are by invitation only, so unsolicited applications for this programme are not considered.

How they like to fund

The Trust offers multi-year awards for up to three years across its grant programmes. It provides funding for core costs, project delivery, equipment, capital works, and research. The Trust values building relationships with the charities it supports and encourages collaboration. Strategic grants are by invitation only and focus on partnership, innovation, and scaling proven programmes. The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications for its other grant programmes.

How much does R S Macdonald Charitable Trust give?

R S Macdonald Charitable Trust runs 4 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 55 sourced facts

Main Grants

£20,000 – £55,000

Online application form
2 rounds a year
Decisions in ~8 weeks
Multi-year funding

Medical Research Grants

Expression of interest first
2 rounds a year
Decisions in ~8 weeks
Multi-year funding

Small Grants

Up to £20,000

Online application form
Multi-year funding

Strategic Grants

By invitation only
Multi-year funding

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What R S Macdonald Charitable Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Building relationships with the charities we support; Supporting charities to collaborate; Thematic priorities for each funding theme.

Where they fund

Scotland

Costs they'll cover

Core costsProject deliveryCapital works & buildingsResearchEquipment

They don't fund

Individuals

The full exclusions list (4)

campaigning work
organisations declined within 12 months
more than one grant at a time
by invitation only

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthDisability

How to apply to R S Macdonald Charitable Trust

R S Macdonald Charitable Trust takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: online application form.
Decisions are typically bi annually.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if R S Macdonald Charitable Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does R S Macdonald Charitable Trust provide?

R S Macdonald Charitable Trust runs 4 grant programmes — Main Grants: £20,000 – £55,000 · Small Grants: Up to £20,000.

Where does R S Macdonald Charitable Trust fund charities?

R S Macdonald Charitable Trust funds charities operating in Scotland.

Does R S Macdonald Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

R S Macdonald Charitable Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does R S Macdonald Charitable Trust not fund?

Their published exclusions include: campaigning work; organisations declined within 12 months; more than one grant at a time; by invitation only. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from R S Macdonald Charitable Trust?

R S Macdonald Charitable Trust takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.