Shetland Charitable Trust

The Trust funds charities and community groups tackling disadvantage in Shetland. Priority areas include mental health, disability support, children and young people, poverty relief, advice services, education, health, arts, culture, sport, recreation, environment, natural history, and heritage. It supports a wide range of work: project delivery, core and revenue costs such as salaries, capital projects, innovation, and multi-year grants. All funding is exclusively for activities that benefit Shetland. The Trust also supports voluntary sector capacity-building and collaboration, helping organisations strengthen their services and reach across the islands.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, and social enterprises. The Trust prioritises organisations that are rooted in Shetland and whose activities directly benefit the island community. It seeks to support groups addressing the priority areas described above, with a focus on tackling disadvantage and building resilience. The Trust emphasises voluntary sector capacity-building and collaboration, welcoming applications from both established and emerging organisations.

The Trust does not fund individuals, statutory services, or commercial ventures. It also avoids supporting projects that duplicate existing provision, preferring to back initiatives that fill gaps and add value to the community. Funding is directed exclusively to organisations that serve the Shetland area, and the Trust does not provide grants for activities outside the islands.

The Trust provides both one-off and multi-year funding, covering core costs, project costs, capital expenditures, and innovative initiatives. It values long-term partnerships and is open to unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. The Trust emphasises collaboration and capacity-building within the voluntary sector to strengthen Shetland's community infrastructure.