Brown Forbes Memorial Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £99,000 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Scotland-wide

Contact Details

Address: Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, 1 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 1RW

Alternative Address: 9 Haymarket Square, Edinburgh, EH3 8FY

Email: info@brownforbes.scot

Phone: (0141) 566 9900

Website: https://www.brownforbes.scot/

Overview

Established in 2000 and registered as a Scottish charity (SC029353), the Brown Forbes Memorial Fund was endowed to support the beautification and restoration of the countryside and coastline of Scotland. The fund operates through an endowment structure and makes grants exclusively to registered charitable organizations across Scotland. With an income of approximately £57,547 and grant expenditure of around £99,015 in 2024, the fund focuses on environmental conservation, public access to natural spaces, and the preservation of Scotland's natural heritage. The fund has supported prominent conservation organizations including the John Muir Trust, National Trust for Scotland, RSPB, Plantlife, Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, and Culag Community Woodland Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund operates a single grant program supporting charitable organizations working on environmental conservation and countryside restoration in Scotland. Specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, but annual expenditure suggests grants totaling approximately £99,000 are distributed annually.

Application Method: Contact required - specific application processes are not published on the website.

Priority Areas

The fund actively supports:

• Natural Beauty Preservation: Conservation and restoration of the natural beauty of Scotland's countryside and coastline
• Wildlife Habitat Protection: Preservation and restoration of gardens and wildlife habitats
• Public Access: Projects that encourage and promote public enjoyment and involvement with Scotland's natural spaces
• Historic Buildings: Preservation or restoration of historic buildings owned by charitable organizations
• Environmental Protection: Advancement of environmental protection and improvement initiatives
• Arts, Heritage, Culture or Science: Projects related to these areas when connected to environmental conservation

What They Don't Fund

• Non-charitable organizations
• Projects outside Scotland
• Individual applicants (only registered charities eligible)
• The fund provides no specific information on other exclusions

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is governed by six trustees with diverse expertise:

Trustees:

• Alistair B. Burrow - Vice President and Chair of Trustees; retired solicitor with extensive legal expertise
• Fiona Crombie (trustee since 2010) - Social worker and family therapist with NHS Glasgow; has a personal connection to the fund's founder
• Alan Crombie (founding trustee, 2000) - Chartered engineer and IT professional; currently with The Open University
• Dr Alison Moss (trustee since 2015) - Botanist and landscaping specialist with active involvement in natural history conservation
• Elizabeth Simpson - Chartered accountant with extensive charity board experience
• William Metcalfe - Investment director at Rathbones, specializing in portfolio management for institutional clients

Administration: Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, Glasgow, serves as the factors/administrators for the fund.

The trustee composition reflects a deliberate mix of conservation expertise, financial management, legal knowledge, and personal connection to the fund's founding mission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Brown Forbes Memorial Fund does not publish detailed application guidelines on its website. Prospective applicants should:

1. Contact the fund directly via email (info@brownforbes.scot) or phone ((0141) 566 9900)
2. Request application information and grant guidelines
3. Ensure your organization is a registered charity in Scotland
4. Verify that your project aligns with the fund's conservation and countryside restoration priorities

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Applicants should inquire about timescales when contacting the fund.

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Prospective applicants should inquire when making initial contact.

Application Success Factors

While the fund does not publish detailed application guidance, the following factors appear important based on their stated purposes and funded organizations:

Alignment with Mission:

• Projects must clearly support the “beautification and restoration of the countryside and coastline of Scotland”
• Strong emphasis on conservation of natural beauty and wildlife habitats
• Projects that enhance public access and engagement with Scotland's natural spaces are valued

Examples of Funded Organizations:

The fund has partnered with or supported well-established conservation organizations including:

• John Muir Trust (wilderness conservation)
• National Trust for Scotland (heritage and landscape conservation)
• RSPB Loch Leven (wildlife habitat protection)
• Plantlife - Munsary Peatlands (habitat restoration)
• Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (public access projects)
• Culag Community Woodland Trust (community-led conservation)

Organizational Requirements:

• Must be a registered charity
• Should have a clear conservation or environmental protection mission
• Track record of delivering countryside or coastal restoration projects appears beneficial

Strategic Considerations:

• The fund's trustees include botanists, conservation specialists, and professionals with environmental expertise
• Projects demonstrating scientific rigor and measurable conservation outcomes may be favored
• Community engagement and promoting public involvement with natural spaces aligns with the fund's purpose

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Specificity: The fund exclusively supports projects in Scotland - ensure your project clearly demonstrates Scottish benefit
• Charitable Status Required: Only registered charities are eligible; ensure you meet this fundamental requirement before applying
• Conservation Focus: Projects must align with countryside/coastal beautification, restoration, or wildlife conservation
• Public Benefit: Emphasize how your project will encourage public enjoyment and involvement with Scotland's natural spaces
• Contact First: Since application processes aren't published online, initial contact is essential to understand current priorities and procedures
• Established Organizations Supported: The fund has worked with major conservation bodies, but also supports smaller community trusts
• Modest Scale: With approximately £99,000 in annual giving, grants are likely modest to moderate in size - align budget expectations accordingly

References

• Brown Forbes Memorial Fund official website. “The Brown Forbes Memorial Fund Scotland.” https://www.brownforbes.scot/
• Brown Forbes Memorial Fund official website. “About Us.” https://www.brownforbes.scot/about-us/
• Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). “Charity Details - Brown Forbes Memorial Fund (SC029353).” https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC029353
• Charity Choice. “Brown Forbes Memorial Fund.” https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/brown-forbes-memorial-fund
• Total Giving. “Brown Forbes Memorial Fund.” https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/brown-forbes-memorial-fund