The Crerar Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £254,538 (2024)
• Success Rate: Approximately 12-15% (based on application volumes)
• Decision Time: Annual meetings (typically January for applications submitted Nov-Dec)
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £20,000 (typical grants £8,000-£12,000)
• Geographic Focus: Scotland (particularly areas with Crerar Hotels presence)

Contact Details

Email: clerk@crerartrust.com

Phone: 01620 822 051

Address: The Mill House, Samuelston, East Lothian, EH41 4HG

Website: www.crerartrust.com

Overview

The Crerar Trust was established in 1947 and registered as a charity in 1964 (Charity Number 221335 in England & Wales; SC013771 in Scotland). The Trust originated from the Crerar Hotels group and uniquely donates over 50% of the group's distributable profits to charitable causes, principally within Scotland. Chaired by Paddy Crerar CBE, the Trust has awarded over £7.5 million in grants to more than 480 organisations over the past 19 years. The Trust focuses on supporting charities in communities where Crerar Hotels operate, with a strategic emphasis on health, education, poverty relief, and community development. In 2025, the Trust announced an unprecedented £3 million five-year investment in HIT Scotland to support hospitality sector leadership development, demonstrating its commitment to strategic, long-term partnerships alongside its regular grant-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Crerar Trust operates a single grant programme with annual application windows:

• Standard Grants: £3,000 - £20,000 (most grants fall in the £8,000-£12,000 range)
• Application Method: Annual cycle with specific submission windows
• Geographic Focus: Primarily communities in Scotland where Crerar Hotels are based

Priority Areas

The Trust actively funds projects addressing:

• Prevention or relief of poverty - Supporting those facing financial hardship
• Advancement of education - Training and educational programmes
• Advancement of health or saving of lives - Health initiatives and emergency services
• Advancement of citizenship or community development - Community-based projects
• Relief of those in need - Support for elderly people, those with disabilities, children/young people, and others disadvantaged by age, ill-health, or disability
• Accommodation and housing - Projects supporting housing needs
• Economic development and employment - Community economic initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Endowment or memorial funds
• General appeals
• Political organizations
• Individual student support
• Charities that redistribute funds to other charities
• Annual/ongoing funding commitments

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by two corporate trustees:

• Crerar Trustee Company 1 Limited (appointed September 2021)
• Crerar Trustee Company 2 Limited (appointed August 2021)

Key Leadership:

• Paddy Crerar CBE - Chair of The Crerar Trust. With over 30 years in the Scottish hospitality industry, Paddy previously served as MD of British Trust Hotels and Chairman of Crerar Hotels (sold in 2023). He is also a Patron of HIT Scotland, a Director of Visit Scotland, and holds a non-executive position with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

No trustees receive remuneration or benefits from the Trust. The Trust operates with robust policies including complaints handling, financial controls, risk management, safeguarding, and conflict of interest procedures.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Request Application Form - Contact clerk@crerartrust.com to request the Trust's specific application form
2. Complete Form Fully - All sections must be completed directly on the form (do not refer to attached documents for Parts B5 & C1)
3. Sign and Date - Unsigned applications will be disregarded
4. Submit by Email Only - Applications will NOT be accepted by post; email only to clerk@crerartrust.com
5. Submit Within Window - Applications must be received within the specified submission window

Application Windows:

• Applications accepted during specific annual windows
• Recent cycle: November 17 - December 12 for January decision meeting
• The Trust cannot accept applications outside the annual window for submissions

Eligibility:

• Must be a registered charity or verified charitable organization
• Must align with the Trust's charitable purposes

Decision Timeline

• Directors meet at least annually to confirm charitable distributions
• Typical cycle: Applications submitted in November/December are decided in January
• Historically, the Trust has met twice a year (with deadlines of April 1 and October 1), though applicants should confirm current schedule

Success Rates

Based on available data, the Trust typically funds 20-40 organisations per funding round from significantly higher application volumes, suggesting a success rate of approximately 12-15%. Recent rounds have distributed:

• £251,187 to 30 organisations (2019)
• £207,863 to 26 organisations
• £216,136 to 38 organisations
• £125,021 to 22 organisations

Reapplication Policy

The Trust accepts reapplications from previously unsuccessful applicants. However:

• The Trust does not provide annual/ongoing funding
• Applicants must update their application if funding is secured elsewhere during the review period
• Each application is considered on its merits

Application Success Factors

The Crerar Trust provides specific guidance that reveals what they value in applications:

From the Trust's Direct Guidance:

"Crerar Trust favours clear, realistic and attainable aims described in straight forward language - describe exactly what you want, exactly why it's needed and exactly what you need from Crerar Trust."

Critical Application Requirements:

1. Complete Parts B5 & C1 Directly - "Applicants who fail to complete Part B5 & C1, (and add 'to refer to attached documents' instead) will be disregarded." The space provided indicates the amount of information required.

1. Be Honest About Finances - “Over egging financial need is not helpful and will adversely impact on any possible grant that may be considered.” The Trust values transparency and realistic budgeting.

1. Geographic Connection - Strong preference for organisations operating in areas where Crerar Hotels are based (includes locations across Scotland such as Highland region, East Lothian, Argyll, Aberdeen, and other hotel locations)

1. Clear Project Focus - The Trust responds well to specific, well-defined projects rather than general operational costs

Recent Successful Projects Include:

• Scottish Mountain Rescue (£10,000) - website development and update
• CLAN Cancer Support (£9,835) - CLAN Haven accommodation facility
• Held in our Hearts (£7,500) - expansion of baby loss counselling services in the Highlands
• The ARCHIE Foundation (£20,000) - Fresh Air Project garden refurbishment at Highland Children's Unit
• Canine Partners (£20,000) - assistance dog training
• The Scottish Football Partnership Trust (£3,000) - community football initiatives

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

• Clear articulation of what you want, why it's needed, and how Crerar Trust funds will make a difference
• Straightforward language without jargon
• Realistic aims and budgets
• Connection to communities where Crerar Hotels operate
• Focus on health, education, poverty relief, or community development outcomes
• Evidence of beneficiary need and project impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Clarity is paramount - Use straightforward language to describe exactly what you want, why it's needed, and what you need from Crerar Trust. Avoid jargon and over-complicated explanations.

1. Complete the form properly - Parts B5 & C1 must be completed directly on the application form; applications that defer to attachments will be rejected. The space provided is your guide to appropriate detail level.

1. Be honest about finances - Don't exaggerate financial need. The Trust values transparency and realistic budgeting over dramatic appeals.

1. Geographic connection matters - Organisations operating in areas where Crerar Hotels are based have a clear advantage, particularly in Highland regions, East Lothian, and other Scottish hotel locations.

1. Respect the process - Only email applications accepted, must be signed and dated, must be submitted within the application window. The Trust has clear procedural requirements.

1. Strategic partnerships - The £3 million HIT Scotland investment demonstrates the Trust's willingness to make significant, multi-year commitments to strategic initiatives alongside regular grant-making.

1. Timing is everything - Applications can only be submitted during specific windows, so plan ahead and monitor the Trust's website or contact the clerk for upcoming deadlines.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE HDH WILLS 1965 CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE DAWES TRUST
• Jill and Norman Franklin Trust
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE CPF TRUST
• PADWA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Williams Charitable Trust
• The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust
• D C R Allen Charitable Trust
• The Marsh Charitable Trust

References

• The Crerar Trust website: https://www.crerartrust.com/
• Charity Commission Register - The Crerar Trust (221335): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/221335
• OSCR Register - The Crerar Trust (SC013771): https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC013771
• Funding Scotland - The Crerar Trust: https://funding.scot/funders/001b000000St48gAAB/the-crerar-trust
• HIT Scotland - Crerar Trust announces historic £3 million investment: https://hitscotland.co.uk/crerar-trust
• Scottish Mountain Rescue grant announcement: https://www.scottishmountainrescue.org/the-crerar-trust-announces-that-it-has-awarded-a-grant-of-10000-to-scottish-mountain-rescue/
• CLAN Cancer Support grant announcement: https://www.clancancersupport.org/news/clan-awarded-9835-grant-by-the-crerar-trust/
• Ross-shire Journal - Held in our Hearts grant: https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/hotel-trust-awards-grant-to-expand-baby-loss-support-in-the-301941/
• ARCHIE Foundation grant announcement: https://archie.org/crerar-trust-donates-20000-towards-fresh-air-project/
• HIT Scotland - Paddy Crerar profile: https://hitscotland.co.uk/paddy-crerar