Scotbelge Charitable Trust

The Scotbelge Charitable Trust, established in 1990 as a UK grant-making charity under a flexible trust deed, empowers trustees to support any charitable purposes they deem fit, embodying a broad, discretionary ethos without thematic restrictions or named values. Trustee-led with no staff, chaired by Percy Weatherall, it operates modestly—recent income around £78,000—with robust governance including safeguarding and risk policies, focusing on public benefit through investments and grants to established UK organisations.

It funds diverse causes including health and life-saving efforts, disability support, poverty relief, arts, culture, heritage, science, environment, and conservation, prioritising beneficiaries like children, young people, the elderly, and disabled individuals. Grants cover project costs, core activities, capacity building, capital, revenue, and operational needs, as seen in a £20,000 award to the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust for fundraising strategy and support for University of St Andrews heritage restoration.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities based anywhere in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland), with a preference for small- to medium-sized organisations demonstrating strong governance and public benefit; no income thresholds or religious restrictions apply. Applications are unsolicited via email or letter, outlining purpose, amount, and use, with supporting documents requested; reviewed rolling at ad hoc trustee meetings (several yearly), allowing months for decisions.

Distinctively generalist and flexible, it avoids individuals, very new/large charities, or narrowly strategic programmes, differentiating through trustee discretion and UK-wide reach without fixed deadlines or online forms—ideal for stable charities aligning with broad welfare, cultural, or environmental needs.