Deadline: 13-Feb-2026
The Trefoil organisational grants are for registered charities or nor-for-profit organisations helping young people with additional support needs in Scotland.
Trefoil offers organisational grants to support registered charities and not-for-profit organisations that are dedicated to helping young people with additional support needs in Scotland. These grants are designed to strengthen initiatives that provide direct benefits to children and young people, rather than covering the core administrative costs of organisations.
Funding from Trefoil is directed towards specific projects and essential equipment required to deliver them. The Trust prioritises applications from charities and organisations that act as direct service providers and whose aims align with Trefoil’s core mission of promoting education, health, welfare, and personal development. A Word version of the application form can be provided on request, ensuring accessibility for all applicants.
The types of projects considered for funding are diverse and impactful. These include initiatives that promote education, health, and social welfare, as well as team-building activities, recreation with an educational element, therapeutic interventions, and the development of new programmes. Trefoil also provides core project funding for costs such as travel and accommodation for events, hiring skilled professionals to deliver specialist sessions, training volunteers, and covering the materials required for activities.
At the same time, certain costs are excluded from funding. Salaries, subsistence, administrative staff, office maintenance, insurance, and core property costs are not eligible unless incidental and proportionate to the project. Trefoil also excludes applications linked to statutory responsibilities, commercial purposes, or general fundraising appeals. This approach ensures that grants are focused on direct project delivery with measurable impact.
Eligibility criteria are clearly defined. Applications are welcomed from formally constituted and registered charities, as well as not-for-profit organisations that are not statutory bodies. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial and operational stability through audited accounts and annual reports. Organisations with an annual turnover of £500,000 or more are not eligible, nor are agencies that should receive statutory funding.
Finally, Trefoil grants are discretionary, and Trustees retain the right to decline applications without entering into correspondence with unsuccessful applicants. Grants are only available for organisations working within Scotland or for projects that directly benefit young people living in Scotland, though applicants do not need to be registered as a Scottish charity.
This opportunity provides valuable support for grassroots initiatives and community-led projects, helping young people with additional support needs access education, recreation, and personal development opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach.
For more information, visit Trefoil.
