Cruden Foundation Ltd

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £398,301 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Tri-annual board meetings (November, February, June)
• Grant Range: No set limits (historically lower value grants to wider range of charities)
• Geographic Focus: Central and South Scotland (central belt)

Contact Details

Website: https://crudenfoundation.org

Email: info@crudenfoundation.org

Address: 16 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7LP

Charity Number: SC004987

Company Number: SC032004

Overview

Established in 1957, the Cruden Foundation is a private charitable funder created through the legacy of Harry Cruden, who founded his building business in 1943. Upon retirement, Cruden bequeathed ownership of his business to the newly established charity bearing his name, ensuring his efforts to rebuild and contribute to Scottish communities would continue for future generations. The Foundation remains a shareholder in Cruden Group and uses its income each year to support registered charities operating in Scotland. Over 35 years of active grant-making, the Foundation has distributed more than £8 million to many deserving causes, currently supporting over 150 charities annually. With annual expenditure of approximately £398,301 (2024), the Foundation focuses on helping small and medium-sized charities with lower reserves across the central belt of Scotland.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program with rolling applications:

• Main Grant Programme: No set minimum or maximum amounts (historically tends to provide lower value grants to a wider range of charities)
• Between-Meeting Emergency Grants: Up to £5,000 (at Treasurer's discretion for exceptional circumstances)
• Application Method: Rolling basis via online application form or postal submission
• Limitation: Only one donation per charity per financial year (August-July)

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports charitable projects and activities in Scotland with a strong focus on:

• Community Healthcare Services: Home care, aftercare, support for sufferers of long-term medical conditions, and continuing care for disabled people
• Health Education and Prevention: Promoting knowledge and awareness of specific diseases or medical conditions
• Medical Research: Preventative or curative medicine research
• Lifelong Learning: Projects helping people of any age achieve their educational potential, including supplementary schools, literacy and numeracy projects, community education, vocational/restart education for the unemployed, and alternative education for excluded school pupils
• Community Development: Helping groups organize and respond to problems and needs in their communities
• The Arts: Supporting arts organizations across Scotland
• Conservation: Environmental and heritage conservation projects

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Capital expenditure projects
• Activities typically handled by local health authorities
• Activities typically handled by local education authorities
• Organizations outside Scotland or not specifically working in Scotland

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• John Rafferty - Chairperson
• Kevin Reid - Treasurer
• Dr. Angus Campbell - Director
• Alison Paul - Director
• Paula Dimond - Secretary

The Board meets three times per year to consider appeals. The Foundation was created to continue Harry Cruden's legacy of contributing to Scottish communities, with the mission of “providing public benefit, and benefit to society as a whole.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Submit application via online form at crudenfoundation.org or by post
2. Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year
3. Must include latest financial accounts
4. Application will be forwarded to next scheduled Board meeting

Decision Timeline

• Board Meetings: Three times per year (typically November, February, June)
• Acknowledgment: Email confirmation upon receipt of application
• Decision Notification: Via email following Board meeting
• Payment: Within 4 weeks for successful applications
• Feedback: No feedback provided for unsuccessful applications

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation supports over 150 charities annually from its grant budget of approximately £400,000.

Reapplication Policy

Charities are welcome to reapply each year for funding. There are no restrictions or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants. The Foundation has been proud to provide continuous support to a significant number of charities over the years, indicating they are open to ongoing relationships with organizations.

Application Success Factors

Key Characteristics the Foundation Values:

• Smaller charities with lower reserves: The Foundation explicitly focuses on supporting smaller organizations that may struggle to access other funding sources
• Scottish geographic focus: Must be based in or specifically working in Scotland, particularly the central belt
• Registered charitable status: Must be a registered charity (not just community groups or individuals)
• Clear charitable purpose: Projects should align with the Foundation's priority areas

Examples of Supported Organizations:

• Scottish Seabird Centre (received “regular support” described as vital to their vision)
• Erskine (veterans care facility, received “incredible long-term support” for their Edinburgh Home)

Important Application Guidance:

• Read application guidance carefully before applying
• Ensure you have prepared latest financial accounts
• Be clear about how your work benefits Scottish communities
• Remember the Foundation tends to make “lower value amounts to a wider range of charities” - adjust expectations accordingly
• Only one application per financial year will be considered

Common Characteristics of Unsuccessful Applications (inferred):

• Capital expenditure projects (explicitly excluded)
• Applications from individuals (explicitly excluded)
• Work that duplicates statutory services
• Organizations with substantial reserves (Foundation prioritizes those with lower reserves)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is critical: Your organization must be based in Scotland or specifically working there, with a focus on the central belt (Central and South Scotland)
• Small is beautiful: The Foundation explicitly targets smaller charities with lower reserves - emphasize if your organization fits this profile
• Timing matters: With only three board meetings per year, submit well in advance of your funding need and check meeting dates
• Manage expectations on grant size: While there are no set limits, the Foundation's approach is “lower value amounts to a wider range” - if supporting 150 charities with £400K annually, typical grants likely average £2,500-£3,000
• Build long-term relationships: The Foundation values ongoing support relationships and welcomes annual reapplications - consider this a potential long-term funding partner rather than one-off opportunity
• Avoid capital projects: Focus applications on project delivery, running costs, or specific activities rather than building work or equipment purchase
• Demonstrate community benefit: Align your application language with their mission of “providing public benefit, and benefit to society as a whole”

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Cancer Research UK
• Motor Neurone Disease Association
• The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
• The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• The National Garden Scheme
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES RECKITT CHARITY
• P F Charitable Trust
• E B M Charitable Trust
• PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• THE DROMINTEE TRUST
• THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE TOLKIEN TRUST
• THE SYNCONA FOUNDATION
• THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Cruden Foundation official website: https://crudenfoundation.org
• Cruden Foundation “How to Apply” page: https://crudenfoundation.org/how-to-apply/
• Cruden Foundation “About Us” page: https://crudenfoundation.org/about-us/
• Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) Charity Register: https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC004987
• Funding Scotland directory: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000000Ng5XEAS/cruden-foundation-ltd
• Financial data from OSCR register showing annual income and expenditure for years ending July 2021-2024