Discover which scheme could best support you:
Apply for funding
Shetland Charitable Trust funds various schemes to support community-based organisations in providing services and facilities that help our communities thrive.
Large Grant Scheme
This scheme is currently closed but we expect to be in a position to re-open it for applications around June 2026. Check back here for details. For more information, please contact us.
You may find these resources useful for a potential future application:
Small Grant Scheme
Small Grants are available to constituted community groups and registered charities with an annual income under £100,000. You can apply for funding to support day-to-day services or activity costs, or to contribute to equipment purchases and building adaptations that advance one or more of our Quality of Life goals.
Small Grant Scheme 2025/26
Applications for 2025/26 are still OPEN.
Small Grant Scheme 2026/27
Applications for 2026/27 are now OPEN and CLOSE on Friday, 23 January at 12noon.
For more information on either of these, please contact us.
You may find these resources useful for a potential future application:
Innovation Grant Scheme
The Innovation Grants Scheme supports communities and charities across Shetland to explore new ideas, develop creative approaches, and deliver projects that enhance local life. The aim is to help community-led initiatives grow into sustainable activities or facilities that bring lasting value to residents and align with our Quality of Life goals. Grants of up to £3,000 are available to fund or part-fund the costs of implementing these initiatives, including activities and essential equipment.
Innovation Grant Scheme 2025/26
Applications for 2025/26 are still OPEN.
Innovation Grant Scheme 2026/27
Applications for 2026/27 are now OPEN and CLOSE on Friday, 23 January at 12noon.
For more information on either of these, please contact us.
You may find these resources useful for a potential future application:
Capital Works Bridging Loan Scheme
Short-term bridging finance is available to community organisations undertaking capital projects, such as work on a public facility or providing a new space.
The interest free loans can alleviate cash flow problems when secured grant funding is paid in arrears.
For more information and an application form, please email us or call 01595 744994.
You can also reach us by post at: 22-24 North Road, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0NQ.
Testimonials
The funding COPE Ltd receives from the Shetland Charitable Trust supports us in many ways. It allows us to develop and maintain a strong foundation to our core business and assists us to provide on-going employment skill development opportunities to people with disabilities living within Shetland. COPE Ltd highly values the support provided to our organisation by The Shetland Charitable Trust.
“The substantial grant made to us by Shetland Charitable Trust every year allows us to provide first-class facilities and dedicated staff to underpin sporting success among people of all ages and abilities in the islands.”
Having this core funding from the Charitable Trust means that we can use that money where we need it at any given time. It's multi-year funding which really takes the pressure off. To have the funding to keep going is really important as it is improving the lives of disabled folk in Shetland.
The funding that we get from the Charitable Trust pays for part of staff support and matching with other funders. Without local funders we wouldn't have national funders, and without either of those funders, we wouldn't be able to do this, so funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust is incredibly important.
The funding Shetland Arts gets from Shetland Charitable Trust is about making sure the organisation can thrive, access other funds, and deliver on behalf of the community of Shetland. Our funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust really helps us with our conversations with national funders because it shows that we're working on behalf of what the local objectives and priorities are.
The Access to Leisure scheme was introduced to allow folk to be able to get access to classes and activities for a lower cost. I feel that the SRT play a critical role in every community across Shetland and that's all down to the funding of the Shetland Charitable Trust that we're able to maintain that.
Unpaid carers do an amazing job looking after people 24/7 in their own homes, keeping them living at home safely, and they really need help to do that. Thanks to the funding from Shetland Charitable Trust, we've been able to employ a deputy manager, recruit more care attendants, and provide overnights. We're also really grateful for the funding because it means that everybody can get the service for free.
