The Dunard Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £12.6 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (applications in May)
• Grant Range: Not disclosed - Major grants typically multi-million pounds
• Geographic Focus: Scotland (primarily), with wider UK reach

Contact Details

Address: 4 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB

Application Method: Via email to the Fund or in writing to the above address

Website: Not publicly available

Note: The Dunard Fund primarily works with organizations with which they have existing relationships. Charities who have been previously involved with the Dunard Fund are eligible to apply, at the Trustees' discretion.

Overview

The Dunard Fund is a charitable trust founded by the Colburn family and chaired by American philanthropist Carol Colburn Grigor CBE, a former concert pianist. Established in Edinburgh, the fund has given grants totalling more than £100 million over the past 30 years to support charities in the arts and heritage sectors across Scotland and the wider UK. In 2024, the fund had an income of £14.1 million and expenditure of £12.6 million. With assets exceeding £72 million as of March 2023, the Dunard Fund is one of Scotland's most significant arts funders. Carol Colburn Grigor was awarded the 2025 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of her unwavering dedication to the arts and lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Scotland and the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Dunard Fund operates through direct engagement with recipient organizations rather than formal grant programmes. Applications are reviewed annually with a May application window.

Application Requirements:

• Half-page summary of the application
• Copy of audited accounts
• Applications accepted via email or post

Current Status: The fund is currently closed to new applications outside the May window.

Priority Areas

The Trustees make donations principally for:

1. Classical Music: The training and performance of classical music at the highest standard
2. Visual Arts: The education and display of visual arts at an international standard
3. Architecture: The rehabilitation of endangered architectural masterpieces and the design and construction of new architectural masterpieces

A very small percentage of the fund is dedicated annually to environmental and other projects.

Recent Major Grants

• Dunard Centre, Edinburgh: £35 million+ toward construction of Edinburgh's first purpose-built concert hall in over 100 years (part of £162 million total project)
• National Centre for Music (Royal High School site): £45 million for construction plus £10 million endowment
• Major beneficiaries include: Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, East Neuk Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Opera, National Galleries of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, Glyndebourne, and Royal Opera House

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the fund's focus is clearly on:

• Organisations outside the arts, heritage, and music sectors (except small environmental projects)
• One-off donations without long-term development potential
• Organizations without existing relationships with the fund

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Carol Colburn Grigor CBE - Founder/Chair (helps run the fund founded by her father Richard D. Colburn's family)

• Former concert pianist and American philanthropist
• President of Dunard Fund USA
• Chair Emeritus of the Colburn School and Chair of the Colburn Foundation
• 2025 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy recipient

Shonaig Macpherson CBE - Chair

Other Trustees:

• Dan Mulhall - Retired Irish diplomat, academic and published author
• Professor Gayle McPherson - Professor of Events and Cultural Policy, Director of the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events, University of the West of Scotland
• Professor Stephen Gethins - Professor of International Affairs, University of St Andrews

Note: Full trustee names scheduled for publication on Scottish Charity Register from January 2026

Leadership Philosophy

Carol Colburn Grigor describes her approach to philanthropy as rooted in “eleemosynary … a sense of obligation, a sense of duty,” viewing wealth as something to be returned to support ideas rather than individuals. She has stated: "You get to a certain age and you think, 'I've been saving my whole life for my old age. And oh my goodness, I'm in it. I'll spend it.'"

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Half-page summary of the application
• Copy of audited accounts

Eligibility

• Primarily open to charities who have been previously involved with the Dunard Fund
• Applications considered at the Trustees' discretion
• Strong preference for organisations with existing relationships

Decision Timeline

The fund does not publicly disclose specific decision timelines. Given the May application window, decisions are likely made in the months following, though this is not confirmed.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The fund appears to operate on a relationship-based model, working with a select group of established arts organisations rather than open competition.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is publicly available. The fund's preference for organisations with existing relationships suggests that maintaining dialogue with the trustees is important for future consideration.

Application Success Factors

What the Funders Look For

As stated in their funding guidance: “As a matter of general policy, the trustees prefer to engage with recipients to enable long-term development of projects and initiatives which have major and lasting significance. They are therefore less inclined to provide one-off donations.”

Key success factors include:

1. Long-term Significance: Projects with major and lasting impact rather than short-term initiatives
2. Excellence: Commitment to “the highest standard” in classical music, “international standard” in visual arts, and “masterpieces” in architecture
3. Relationship Building: The fund works primarily with organisations they know and trust
4. Transformational Potential: Recent grants suggest preference for projects that transform the cultural landscape (e.g., Dunard Centre, National Centre for Music)
5. Strategic Alignment: Clear fit with the fund's three core areas or exceptional environmental projects

Examples of Funded Projects

• Infrastructure: Purpose-built concert halls and music centres
• Institutions: Major orchestras, opera companies, national galleries and libraries
• Festivals: Established classical music and arts festivals
• Education: Music schools and training programmes at the highest level

Language and Terminology

The fund emphasises:

• “Highest standard” and “international standard” for quality
• “Major and lasting significance” for impact
• “Long-term development” rather than one-off support
• “Architectural masterpieces” and “endangered” heritage

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Relationship is paramount: The Dunard Fund works primarily with organisations with existing connections. Building a relationship with the trustees over time is essential for success.

1. Think transformational, not transactional: This is a funder interested in major, lasting cultural impact. One-off projects or small-scale initiatives are unlikely to succeed.

1. Excellence is non-negotiable: The fund's language consistently emphasises “highest standard,” “international standard,” and “masterpieces.” Your organisation must demonstrate world-class quality.

1. Long-term commitment: Demonstrate how the fund's support will enable sustained development of your project or organisation, not just immediate needs.

1. Strategic fit is essential: Unless you're in classical music, visual arts, architecture/heritage, or (occasionally) environmental work, this fund is likely not appropriate.

1. Major funding available: The fund makes substantial grants (multi-million pounds) to transformational projects. Small grant requests may not align with their strategic approach.

1. May application window: Time your engagement and application preparation for the May window, ensuring all documentation is ready well in advance.

References

1. OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) - Dunard Fund SC046889 charity details. https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC046889

1. Funding Scotland - Dunard Fund profile. https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000005kMKhEAM/dunard-fund

1. “The under-the-radar benefactor who has gifted £80m to Edinburgh,” The Scotsman. https://www.scotsman.com/business/the-under-the-radar-benefactor-who-has-gifted-ps80m-to-edinburgh-3141031

1. “Inside the Giving of Carol Colburn Grigor and Her Music-Loving Family,” Inside Philanthropy. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/inside-the-giving-of-carol-colburn-grigor-and-her-music-loving-family

1. Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy - Carol Colburn Grigor CBE profile. https://www.medalofphilanthropy.org/grigor-carol-colburn/

1. "Edinburgh's £162m Dunard Centre construction contract signed," Business Insider. https://www.insider.co.uk/news/edinburghs-162m-dunard-centre-construction-36138028

1. Carol Colburn Grigor - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Colburn_Grigor

1. Companies House - Dunard Fund SC546564 filing history. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC546564