Scottish Children’s Lottery Trust

The Trust funds projects that directly benefit children and young people across Scotland, with a focus on alleviating poverty, social exclusion, deprivation, disability, and illness. Supported causes include youth work, poverty relief, education and skills, sport and recreation, arts and culture, community development, mental health, and physical health. They prioritise local, grassroots initiatives that tackle the root causes of disadvantage, such as accessible childcare, after-school and holiday programmes with educational elements, mentoring and employability training, IT and educational equipment, community libraries, recreational and sporting activities, and projects building self-confidence for at-risk youth. The Trust is particularly interested in evidence-based interventions that make a measurable difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.

Registered charities based in Scotland and delivering projects within Scotland are eligible to apply. The Trust favours small to medium-sized, locally-based organisations, though there is no strict income threshold. They welcome applications from charities working with children and young people facing socio-economic hardship, disability, illness, or family challenges. The Trust does not support individuals, non-charitable organisations, or projects that take place outside Scotland.

The Trust does not fund core or administrative costs, multi-year projects, capital-only or endowment grants, or unrestricted funding. Projects that take place outside Scotland are not supported, and active grantees cannot reapply for a period after their grant starts.

The Trust provides one-off grants for specific projects, with a preference for match funding. They welcome unsolicited applications from eligible charities, and decisions are made periodically. The Trust emphasises transparent governance and impact reporting, ensuring that funds are used effectively to benefit Scotland's children and young people.