William Grant Foundation

The Foundation prioritises four themes: health and social causes, supporting wellbeing for those with ill health, disability or disadvantage, including mental health and family support; youth opportunities, enhancing life chances for young people in communities linked to the company; Scottish culture and heritage, nurturing cultural identity through preservation and events; and the natural and built environment, focusing on climate adaptation and environmental wellbeing. Funding supports frontline services, core costs, multi-year projects, capacity building, capital needs and unrestricted grants. The Foundation concentrates on Scotland, particularly regions such as Moray and Lanarkshire.

The Foundation supports organisations ranging from small grassroots charities to national bodies, with a strong focus on Scotland. There are no income thresholds, but alignment with the four priority themes and good governance are essential. Beneficiaries include disadvantaged individuals, local communities, cultural groups and environmental initiatives. Global support is limited to employee-matched giving, so unsolicited applications from outside Scotland are unlikely to be considered.

The Foundation rarely funds outside its four priority themes. Global support is limited to employee-matched giving, so unsolicited applications from outside Scotland are unlikely to be considered. The Foundation does not typically fund general appeals or activities that fall outside the stated focus areas.

The Foundation is invitation-led and proactive, conducting its own research and referrals, yet welcomes aligned unsolicited enquiries to build tailored partnerships. It offers multi-year and unrestricted grants, core costs, capacity building and capital support, with a flexible approach that allows for emergent needs. Its relational style minimises bureaucracy and maximises impact.