Women's Fund for Scotland

The trust funds work across several cause areas including domestic abuse, poverty and hardship, education and skills, employment, mental health, and community development. It supports both core costs and project delivery, with a preference for activities such as skills training, confidence building, recovery from gender-based violence, and improving financial security. All funded work must take place in Scotland, and the trust prioritises women-led organisations and community-based projects that make a tangible difference to the lives of disadvantaged women and girls.

Registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups based in Scotland are eligible to apply. The trust prioritises women’s organisations, especially those run by and for women, and community-based projects supporting women and girls. Beneficiaries must be women and girls; projects exclusively for men or boys are not funded. Faith groups may be considered only if they run a project that does not promote any religion. Individuals are not eligible. Organisations should have a proven track record with women and girls and demonstrate how limited resources will achieve maximum long-term impact.

The trust does not fund salaries, individuals, or uniformed, political, or religious organisations unless they are running a project that does not promote a religion or political purpose. It also does not provide income support for individual women or families, whether in cash or vouchers. Projects already in receipt of a Women's Fund award are not eligible for a further grant until a waiting period has passed. Activities that exclusively benefit men or boys are excluded.

Grants are awarded as a single payment and are not multi-year. The trust funds both core costs and project delivery. It welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. The trust emphasises relational grant-making and prioritises organisations that can demonstrate sustainability and long-term impact from limited resources.