R S Macdonald Charitable Trust
About This Funder
The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust, established in 1978 by Roderick Stewart Macdonald from family inheritance tied to Glenmorangie plc, advances charitable service exclusively in Scotland, upholding a legacy of philanthropy. Its mission centers on empowering beneficiary charities through targeted, impactful grants that foster community engagement, collaboration, shared learning, and lasting networks. Core values of openness, accountability, and enabling support distinguish it, extending beyond funding to build sector capacity via rigorous due diligence, expert panels, and transparency through 360Giving grant data.
The Trust funds five strategic themes: tackling child abuse and neglect, supporting visual impairment, advancing neurological conditions (e.g., MS, MND), promoting animal welfare, and medical research in these areas. It backs vulnerable groups like at-risk children, sight-loss affected individuals, neurology patients, and animals, via direct services, community support, research (often academic-led), capital projects, capacity-building, innovation, scaling, and multi-year efforts. Past grantees include RNIB Scotland, Capability Scotland, Scottish SPCA, and Freedom from Torture for child recovery.
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or academic institutions based in or operating in Scotland, delivering benefits there; no income thresholds apply, supporting small community groups to large organizations with proven governance and sustainability. Small grants (up to £20,000, rolling) and main grants (£15,000–£55,000, avg. £30,000) use an online form—phone discussion encouraged—with biannual deadlines (next: 6 March 2025, then 3 September 2025); decisions within two months. It excludes individuals, non-charities, and non-themed work, prioritizing sustainable, collaborative Scottish projects.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
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Describe your charity once and see how well you fit R S Macdonald Charitable Trust's priorities — scored on location, cause, size, and 3 other factors.
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Paste the application question and word limit. The co-pilot writes a first draft using your charity's real data and this funder's criteria — not generic filler. You edit every word before it leaves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does R S Macdonald Charitable Trust provide?
R S Macdonald Charitable Trust typically provides grants ranging from £15,000 - £55,000.
Where does R S Macdonald Charitable Trust fund charities?
R S Macdonald Charitable Trust funds charities operating in Scotland.
How do I apply for funding from R S Macdonald Charitable Trust?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with R S Macdonald Charitable Trust. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and R S Macdonald Charitable Trust's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
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