Details

The Robertson Trust works to prevent and reduce poverty and trauma in Scotland by funding, supporting and influencing solutions that drive social change.

The Trust recognises that poverty and trauma are caused by complex, systemic issues. To achieve lasting impact, it aims to support approaches that address the root causes of these challenges and create sustainable change. This is described as “big change that lasts”.

The Big Change That Lasts Fund focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying, systemic causes of poverty and trauma. These issues often sit beyond the control of individuals or communities acting alone and require action at a wider, societal level. The Trust recognises that meaningful change is complex and may include:

Multiple interventions delivered over the long term.

A systems-thinking approach, where different actions and stakeholders work together over time to reinforce impact.

Approaches that recognise how change happens in practice, including influencing decision makers and the wider system.

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Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Revenue

Fund award sizes

Minimum:

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Maximum:

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Notes on award amounts:

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Who can apply

The Robertson Trust works to prevent and reduce poverty and trauma in Scotland by funding, supporting and influencing solutions that drive social change. The Big Change That Lasts Fund focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying, systemic causes of poverty and trauma, supporting work that can deliver lasting change beyond the funding period and the direct beneficiaries.

Grants are typically awarded for up to five years, with total funding between £20,000 and £500,000. Most awards are in the range of £50,000 to £100,000 per year. Funding is for restricted project costs and can include staffing, delivery and a proportionate share of organisational overheads, as well as evaluation costs. Proposals covering more than one year should include realistic assumptions for cost increases.

The Fund supports work with strong potential to create long-term, systemic impact. This may include testing new or scalable approaches, influencing policy or practice, or delivering activity designed to address the root causes of poverty and trauma.

The Robertson Trust will only accept one application at a time from each organisation (unless further applications are invited). This applies to the lead organisation; organisations may still be involved in other applications as partners. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Applicants must be organisations working in Scotland with an annual income of more than £200,000, based on their most recent accounts. Where income fluctuates, an average of the last three years may be considered. In limited circumstances, organisations with lower income may be eligible, usually by invitation.

Partnership applications are accepted. A lead organisation must apply and meet the eligibility criteria. Partner organisations do not need to meet these criteria.

Eligible organisations include registered charities, asset-locked Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee, housing associations and credit unions. Where a project is delivered by a subsidiary, the parent organisation must apply.

Organisations already receiving funding from The Robertson Trust may apply, provided the proposed work is additional to existing funded activity.

The Fund will not support work that does not demonstrate strong potential for lasting change beyond the funded activity. It does not support projects eligible for other Robertson Trust programmes, work that does not align with its priority themes, or activity focused primarily on direct service delivery unless it is clearly testing a new or scalable approach. It also excludes unrestricted funding, capital projects, and work with limited wider impact.

Minimum annual income:

£200,000

When to apply

The Big Change That Lasts Fund does not have application deadlines. You can apply at any time.

How to apply

The application process begins on their website (https://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/types-of-funding/big-change-that-lasts-fund/big-change-that-lasts-fund-guidance), has no closing deadlines and happens over two stages:

Stage 1 involves completing a short application which gives a clear, high-level outline of your change idea. They will internally review your application and let you know of the outcome within 10 weeks.

The Stage 1 assessment process is primarily focused on eligibility criteria, and the assessment criteria which covers the areas highlighted above (focus on poverty & trauma; the potential to achieve big change that lasts; and maximizing impact).

If you are successful at Stage 1, you will be invited to complete a Stage 2 application.

Stage 2 applications are longer, and you will be asked to share more detail about your proposal. This will then be reviewed, usually by internal and external assessors, and they may also book in a call with you as part of the assessment process so that they can hear more about the project directly from you.

The timeframe for Stage 2 is in part dependent on when you can return the Stage 2 proposal to us. Our aim is to make a final funding decision within 6 months of you sending us your Stage 1 application.

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Exclusions

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Activites funded: General charitable activities Research

Beneficiaries funded: Black and Ethnic Minorities Economically/socially disadvantaged Families Care experienced people Socially isolated people People in poverty Ill-health Women and girls

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Last reviewed 4 months ago