People's Postcode Trust

People's Postcode Trust is a registered Scottish charity established in 2009, dedicated to supporting smaller charities and community causes across Scotland for the benefit of people and planet. Funded entirely by proceeds from its own society lottery—marketed as People's Postcode Lottery—it enables positive change at the grassroots level through transparent, independent governance by unpaid trustees. Its core mission advances health, citizenship, community development, arts, heritage, culture, science, sport, and recreational facilities, with values rooted in alleviating hardship, promoting social inclusion, fostering sustainability, and delivering measurable community impact.

The Trust funds broad but purposeful initiatives addressing poverty relief, community health and wellbeing, social inclusion for vulnerable groups, local environmental improvements, cultural engagement, and activities enhancing community participation. It supports unrestricted grants covering core costs, projects, or capital expenditure for community-led organisations, evidenced by past awards to food projects, mental health support in rural areas, environmental clean-ups, youth engagement, and loneliness initiatives, prioritising flexible one-year grants for tangible local benefits.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and social enterprises based strictly in Scotland, operating for at least one year with annual income up to £1,000,000 (prioritising those under £250,000), and providing signed accounts and governing documents. Applications are via online form during short quarterly rounds (typically one week open); currently closed, with next rounds in 2026—monitor the website. Typical grants range £500–£25,000, with one application per round (max two yearly), decisions in 4–5 weeks, and payments 8–12 weeks post-deadline.

Distinctively Scotland-exclusive, it avoids national/international projects (directing those elsewhere in the Postcode family), large-scale efforts, or non-community-focused work, emphasising accessibility for lesser-known groups unable to access bigger funders.