Volant Charitable Trust

The Volant Charitable Trust, founded in 2000 by author J.K. Rowling in memory of her mother, is dedicated to alleviating social deprivation and empowering women, children, and young people at risk, primarily in Scotland. Guided by values of compassion, inclusion, and commitment to lasting change, it sharply focuses on tackling poverty amid challenges like the cost-of-living crisis, prioritizing practical interventions that deliver demonstrable impact for those facing hardship without clear paths to improvement. Its distinctive approach emphasizes transformative support for vulnerable groups, delivered through an Open Grants Programme managed by Foundation Scotland, alongside uninvited discretionary funding for international disaster appeals, single-parent advocacy via Gingerbread, and MS research at the Anne Rowling Clinic.

Funding targets specific themes: poverty relief for women, children, and youth; support for vulnerable families; food provision and healthy eating in deprived areas; mental health for those in poverty; aid for isolated lone mothers, BME women/children/asylum seekers, women prisoners and families, victims of sexual abuse/rape/domestic violence/sex industry, and young mothers with postnatal depression; plus counselling and outreach for at-risk youth facing neglect, abuse, or substance misuse. Grants back projects and core costs, funding direct services like outreach and mental health work.

Eligible applicants are Scotland-based UK-registered charities, CICs, or community groups with annual income under £350,000 (Small Grants) or £1 million (Large Grants), serving Scottish beneficiaries. Small Grants offer up to £5,000 for one year; Large Grants up to £15,000/year for three years (max £45,000). Apply via Foundation Scotland's portal: full application for Small (next round closed 4 November 2025); two-stage EOI-then-full for Large (Stage 1: 6 October 2025). Biannual trustee meetings in April/October. Excludes capital projects, bursaries, retrospective funding, and fundraising; stands out for rigorous, founder-driven criteria ensuring real life-changing impact.