Corra Foundation

Charity Number: CUSTOM_2906142F

Annual Expenditure: £13.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £13 million+ (National Drugs Mission Funds alone in 2024-25)
  • Historic Distribution: £152 million+ since 1985
  • Total Grants Made: 15,000+ grants
  • Decision Time: 1-8 weeks (varies by fund)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £50,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Scotland (primarily), with some international development work

Contact Details

Website: https://www.corra.scot

Email: hello@corra.scot

Phone: 0131 444 4020

Address: Office Suite 30, Pure Offices, 4 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT

Specialist Contacts:

  • Feedback and learning: learning@corra.scot
  • Complaints: complaints@corra.scot

Overview

Corra Foundation is Scotland's leading independent grant-making charity, registered with OSCR (SC009481) since 1985. Previously known as Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland (renamed August 2017), Corra has distributed over £152 million through 15,000+ grants. The foundation's mission is to strengthen and amplify people's voices and their power to make change, working to improve lives across Scotland and occasionally in developing countries. Corra both distributes its own funding and manages funds in partnership with other organizations including the Scottish Government, Comic Relief, STV Children's Appeal, and Foundation Scotland. The organization is recognized for its “Open and Trusting” grant-making approach, emphasizing unrestricted, multi-year funding wherever possible. Recent strategic priorities include racial equity, drugs harm reduction, human rights, and supporting communities affected by poverty and disadvantage.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Racial Equity Fund

  • Up to £50,000 (unrestricted, multi-year grants)
  • For organizations led by and working with Black and racially minoritized communities
  • Rolling applications (when open)

Henry Duncan Grants

  • £40,000 over five years (£8,000 per year) unrestricted funding
  • For charities and not-for-profit organizations with annual income up to £250,000
  • Micro-grant option: up to £1,000 per year for smaller organizations
  • Fixed deadline applications

Boost Fund

  • £500 - £3,000 for constituted groups/charities with income £50,000 or less
  • Up to £1,500 for unconstituted/small groups
  • Total fund: £750,000 available until March 2026
  • Partnership with STV Children's Appeal, Comic Relief, Foundation Scotland
  • Rolling applications

National Drugs Mission Funds - Local Support Fund (LSF)

  • £1,000 - £20,000 per year for up to three years
  • For grassroots organizations supporting people affected by drug use
  • Rolling applications

National Drugs Mission Funds - Local Support Fund Micro Grants

  • Smaller grants for frontline community-based groups
  • Two-month decision timeline
  • Rolling applications

Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland

  • For organizations with income between £25,000 and £250,000
  • Supports action to realize and defend rights
  • Fixed deadline applications

Household Hardship Fund (when available)

  • Fast-track funding with 1-4 week decisions
  • For immediate community needs

Priority Areas

  • Racial equity and racial justice
  • Drug and alcohol harm reduction and recovery support
  • Human rights advancement and defense
  • Communities affected by poverty and disadvantage
  • Children, young people, and families in need
  • Place-based community development and systemic change
  • Grassroots and community-led organizations
  • Support for smaller organizations traditionally facing barriers to funding

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions vary by individual fund. Applicants should review detailed eligibility criteria for each program on the Corra website or in fund-specific guidance documents.

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive

Carolyn Sawers - 20 years' experience in policy and research across political, academic, and public sectors in Scotland, primarily in grant-making with community and voluntary organizations.

Quote: “We know the importance of accessible, small pots of funding for groups and have designed Boost with a simple application process, quick funding decisions and being open to unconstituted groups.”

Board of Trustees

Corra has 12 trustees who bring diverse experience in finance, human resources, communications, participation, and public service. Recent trustee appointments (2024) include:

  • Andrew Scott - Experienced public service leader, recently retired from Scottish Government with expertise in health, education, employment, environment, and public finance innovation
  • Mark Armstrong - Over 35 years in voluntary sector and local government leadership, with 20 years in senior strategic positions across three Scottish councils
  • Tasnim Hassan - PhD researcher at Durham University exploring intersectional experiences of Disabled Black and Brown people across the UK
  • Christine - Former Director of Finance for Health in Scottish Government, responsible for £14 billion annual budget
  • Luke McCullough - Trustee since 2015, BBC Scotland's Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, chairs Communications and Engagement Steering Group

Trustees guide strategy, ensure positive impact, oversee financial management, and protect the foundation's reputation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Applications: Most funds use online application portals accessible through the Corra website (www.corra.scot)

Application Approach:

  • Simple, accessible processes aligned with “Open and Trusting” principles
  • Never ask for duplicate information
  • All necessary information provided upfront on website (funding priorities, guidance, key dates)
  • Pre-application questions welcomed at hello@corra.scot

Assessment Process:

  1. Application reviewed by Corra Grants Advisor who may contact for follow-up questions
  2. Applications not meeting basic eligibility criteria declined at this stage
  3. Peer review by other Corra staff (for some funds)
  4. Independent panel review and decision (for strategic funds)

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by fund:

  • Household Hardship Fund: 1-4 weeks
  • National Drugs Mission Funds: Within 2 months
  • Boost Fund: Within 2 months (typical)
  • Henry Duncan Grants: Published timeline (e.g., decisions by end of February)
  • Strategic Funds: Longer timelines published in advance

Corra publishes decision timetables ahead of time for all funds.

Success Rates

Success rates vary by fund and organizational size. Corra provides annual updates on average grant sizes and success rates on individual fund pages. The foundation is transparent about competitiveness and shares detailed success data for each program.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies not publicly stated in general terms. Corra provides written feedback to all applicants and welcomes discussions about results and future applications. Contact hello@corra.scot or the specific fund advisor for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from Corra

Open and Trusting Approach: “We make the application process fairer and easier to complete. We never ask for duplicate information, and if we need additional information, we explain why it is necessary.”

Strategic Priorities: The foundation has been “learning and thinking about what racial equity and racial justice means to us as a funder, listening and talking with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities across Scotland, which has helped shape and inform racial equity across all areas of our work.”

What They Value

  1. Community-led organizations - Preference for organizations led by and working with communities they serve
  2. Unrestricted funding requests - They prefer to provide flexible funding for core costs
  3. Multi-year sustainability - Interest in longer-term relationships and impact
  4. Accessibility and inclusion - Organizations working with communities facing barriers to funding
  5. Lived experience leadership - Organizations led by people with direct experience of issues addressed
  6. Place-based approaches - Work embedded in and responsive to local communities
  7. Systemic change - Interest in addressing root causes, not just symptoms

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

  • East Renfrewshire: Community coordinator opened community centre, leading to blossoming of activities and stronger community voice
  • Buckhaven: Support for participatory budgeting process involving local people in funding decisions
  • Fernhill: Community coordinator working from local centres and churches supporting volunteers
  • Human Rights Fund: Amnesty International UK Section, Clan Childlaw, Shelter Scotland in partnership with Legal Services Agency

Language and Terminology

Corra uses person-centered, equity-focused language:

  • “People with lived experience”
  • “Communities facing disadvantage”
  • “Racial equity and racial justice”
  • “Strengthening voices and power”
  • “Unrestricted funding”
  • “Open and trusting”
  • “Place-based working”

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate community leadership - Show how your organization is led by or accountable to communities served
  2. Request unrestricted funding - Don't be afraid to ask for core costs and flexibility
  3. Show relational approach - Evidence of participatory methods and community involvement
  4. Align with racial equity - Consider how racial equity intersects with your work
  5. Be specific about place - Ground your work in local context and community needs
  6. Keep it simple - Corra values straightforward applications over complex jargon
  7. Engage early - Contact Grants Advisors with questions before applying

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Open to smaller and unconstituted groups: Corra actively works to reduce barriers for organizations traditionally excluded from funding, including unconstituted groups for some programs.
  1. Unrestricted funding is the priority: Request flexible, core funding rather than restricted project costs wherever possible - this aligns with their strategic approach.
  1. Multi-year thinking: Corra offers multi-year grants in many programs (e.g., Henry Duncan 5 years, LSF up to 3 years) - frame applications around longer-term sustainability.
  1. Racial equity lens: All funds now incorporate racial equity considerations - demonstrate awareness of how this intersects with your work.
  1. Relationship-based funder: Engage with Grants Advisors, ask questions, and build relationships - Corra values dialogue and provides feedback to all applicants.
  1. Speed varies significantly: Decision times range from 1 week to 2+ months depending on fund - choose the right program for your timeline needs.
  1. Partnership fund manager: Corra manages funds for many partners (Scottish Government, Comic Relief, etc.) - understand which entity is ultimately funding each program as this may affect priorities.

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