Women's Fund for Scotland

The Women's Fund for Scotland is an independent Scottish charitable trust established in 2002 with Scottish Government endowment and relaunched as a standalone charity in 2018. Its core mission drives systemic change to empower women and girls, overcoming disadvantage, discrimination, violence, and barriers to equality, guided by feminist values of social justice, diversity, and community-wide benefits from investing in women. Distinctive for its relational grant-making, deep insight into women's lived realities, and partnerships like Foundation Scotland, it has awarded over £3.3 million in nearly 1,000 grants to 680+ grassroots groups across 31 of 32 Scottish local authorities, prioritizing sustainability, long-term impact, and women-led organizations.

It funds initiatives under key themes: building skills and confidence, health and well-being, social connections, moving on from abuse, leadership and innovation, and combatting poverty/financial insecurity. Supported activities include mentoring, employability workshops, nature-based programs, community building, victim support, and poverty alleviation for women and girls facing economic hardship, gender-based violence, or exclusion, with emphasis on grassroots interventions delivering measurable change via SMART objectives.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, social enterprises, or community groups with annual income under £500,000 (priority under £300,000), proven track record with women/girls, operating solely in Scotland, and preferably women-led/run-for-women. Unrestricted or project grants (up to £5,000; projects ≤£20,000 total, funding ≥25%) are awarded annually via online form during autumn rounds—next deadline 18 November 2025, decisions by February 2026. Exclusions: permanent staff salaries, individuals, retrospective activity, overseas trips, mixed-gender projects, or multi-year without invitation. It uniquely champions underfunded grassroots sustainability for holistic gender equality.