voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
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The Robertson Trust: Big Change That Lasts Fund
Created: 07/05/2026
News/Events Category: Funding and Finance
This item will show under the following categories: Children and Families Employability Health and Social Care
The Big Change That Lasts Fund supports organisations working in Scotland to deliver long‑term, systemic change that prevents and reduces poverty and related trauma. They fund work that tackles the underlying causes of poverty - shifting systems, structures and practices so that change lasts beyond individual projects and beneficiaries.
At this time, they are prioritising applications that focus on financial security.
- They provide restricted project funding of between £20,000 and £500,000, usually for up to five years. Most grants are typically £50,000–£100,000 per year.
- Projects must demonstrate strong potential to deliver big change that lasts, meaning strategic, systemic or long‑term impact on poverty and trauma in Scotland.
They are particularly interested in work that:
- Moves upstream to prevent poverty and financial insecurity
- Influences policy, practice, systems or behaviours
- Has a clear theory of change and potential for impact at scale
- Continues to have impact beyond the funding period
This fund does not support ongoing service delivery, unless it is clearly testing or demonstrating a new, scalable approach.
Financial security priorities
Financial security means ensuring income adequacy and stability, access to essentials, and effective safety nets that prevent people from falling into poverty.
Applications should focus primarily on at least one of the following priorities:
- Secure foundations
Safe, secure, appropriate and affordable access to essentials such as housing, energy, food, transport and childcare. - Secure safety net
A social security system that provides a dignified quality of life, supports people in times of crisis and enables full participation in society. - Designing‑out insecurity
Upstream interventions that prevent long‑term financial insecurity, including early debt support, affordable credit, child maintenance systems and treatment of debt to public bodies.
While Financial Security must be at the centre of the work, we recognise that poverty and trauma are experienced in complex, interconnected ways.
Who can apply?
You can apply if your organisation:
- Works in Scotland
- Has an annual income of more than £200,000
- Is one of the following:
- A registered charity
- An asset‑locked CIC limited by guarantee
- A housing association
- A credit union
- Has recent independently examined or audited annual accounts.
- Partnership applications are welcome, with one eligible lead organisation.
- Organisations currently funded by The Robertson Trust may apply, provided the work is distinct or additional to existing grants.
How to apply
The application process has two stages:
- Stage 1: a short application outlining your change idea
- Stage 2: a longer application, by invitation only
You can only have one active application to the Big Change That Lasts Fund at a time (unless otherwise invited).
Click here to find out more and apply.
They accept applications on a rolling basis, with no closing dates.
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