The Finnis Scott Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £365,000
• Success Rate: High competition (specific rate not disclosed)
• Decision Time: 2-4 weeks (acknowledgement within 2 weeks, decision up to 4 weeks after trustees' meeting)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (most grants £5,000 or less; exceptionally up to £60,000 over several years)
• Geographic Focus: UK national (registered charities only)

Contact Details

Website: www.finnis-scott-foundation.org.uk

Email: amoon@hcrlaw.com

Phone: 01604 233233

Address: Elgin House, Billing Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 5AU

Overview

The Finnis Scott Foundation was established in 2006 under the will of Lady Montagu Douglas Scott (Valerie Finnis, VMH 1924-2006), commemorating her and her husband Sir David Montagu Douglas Scott (KCMG, OBE 1887-1986) and their shared passions for art collecting and gardening. The Foundation has been making grants since 2008 and currently distributes approximately £365,000 annually. It focuses exclusively on three areas: horticulture, plant sciences, and fine art/art history (pre-2000). The Foundation gives preference to smaller charities where its grants can have significant impact, and has been steadily increasing both its total grant-making and average grant awards in recent years. In 2018, the trustees created a biennial Botanical Art Prize worth £10,000 to support collaborative botanical art projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants: £1,000 - £10,000 (most awards under £5,000)

• Online application via website
• Quarterly deadlines (applications reviewed January, April, July, October)
• One-off grants for capital and revenue projects
• Exceptionally, multi-year grants up to £60,000 for larger projects

The Finnis Scott Botanical Art Prize: £10,000

• Biennial award for collaborative botanical art projects
• UK and Ireland eligible
• Intended for groups and organizations going beyond day-to-day activities
• Separate application process from general grants

Priority Areas

Horticulture:

• Training of gardeners through bursaries and apprenticeships (special priority)
• Restoration of gardens
• Supporting disadvantaged people through horticulture
• Gardens and horticultural therapy at hospices

Plant Sciences:

• Scientific plant research projects
• University and academic institution plant science research

Fine Art & Art History (pre-2000):

• Conservation and framing of pictures
• Assisting galleries with art purchases
• Gallery development projects
• Exhibition and study of art

What They Don't Fund

• Salary commitments (except for horticultural traineeships/apprenticeships)
• Expenditure already incurred
• Mainstream schools (SEND/Special Schools may apply via registered charity)
• Recently formed organizations without established track records or annual accounts
• Projects not sufficiently aligned with the three core priority areas
• Individuals (applications must come from registered charities)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• The Honourable Mrs Ursula Margaret Bridget Wide (Chair)
• Lord Charles Scott (Trustee)
• Dr Patricia Rose Morison (Trustee)
• James Percy Miller D.L. (Trustee)
• Lady Kathryn Gayle Elizabeth Robinson (Trustee)
• Dr William Brent Elliott (Trustee)
• William Colacicchi (Trustee)

The Foundation has seven trustees, none of whom receive remuneration. The Board meets quarterly to review applications and make funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Read Guidelines: Review the Guidelines for Applicants on the website carefully to ensure eligibility
2. Complete Online Application: Use the online grant application form on the website
3. Submit by Deadline: Applications must be received at least four weeks before a trustees' meeting
4. Required Documentation: Submit as the sponsoring institution (individuals cannot apply directly)

Application Method: Rolling deadlines tied to quarterly meetings (online portal)

Decision Timeline

• Acknowledgement: Within 2 weeks of receipt
• Trustees' Review: Quarterly meetings in January, April, July, and October
• Decision Notification: Up to 4 weeks after the trustees' meeting
• Total Timeline: Approximately 6-8 weeks from deadline to decision

Success Rates

The Foundation states it receives “far more worthwhile applications than it can support,” indicating high competition. While specific success rates are not published, the Foundation has been increasing its grant-making capacity over recent years. Applications from gardens and hospices are noted to be “looked at more favourably.”

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply after one year. The Foundation is a small charity and cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Priorities: The Foundation has explicitly stated that "of the applications declined, the most common reason was that the proposed project was not sufficiently aligned with the Foundation's priorities." Ensure your project clearly fits within horticulture, plant sciences, or fine art (pre-2000).

Appropriate Grant Size: Requesting too large a grant is the second most common reason for rejection. Most grants are £5,000 or less due to high demand—tailor your ask accordingly.

Organizational Profile: Preference is given to smaller charities where the grant will have significant impact. The Foundation is unlikely to fund recently formed organizations without established track records or annual accounts.

Special Interest Areas: The trustees are particularly keen to support horticultural training through bursaries and apprenticeships. Gardens and hospice applications receive favorable consideration.

Established Track Record: Demonstrate proven project/service delivery through previous work and financial accounts.

Past Funded Projects: Review the “Who We Have Helped” page on their website to understand the types of organizations and projects they support, including: Kew Gardens, Great Dixter, Oxford University Botanical Gardens, Westonbirt Arboretum, Combat Stress, Horticultural Therapy Trust, National Gallery, and Pallant House.

Application Quality: The Foundation emphasizes reading guidelines carefully, noting that “reading and rejecting incorrect forms wastes valuable charity funds in administration costs.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Stay within priorities: Ensure absolute alignment with horticulture, plant sciences, or fine art (pre-2000)—this is the #1 reason for rejection
• Request realistic amounts: Ask for £5,000 or less unless you have exceptional justification; the Foundation explicitly notes most grants are at this level
• Highlight impact for smaller charities: Emphasize how the grant will have significant impact if you're a smaller organization (this is their stated preference)
• Leverage special interests: If your project involves horticultural training, bursaries, apprenticeships, gardens, or hospices, make this prominent
• Demonstrate track record: Include evidence of established project delivery and submit annual accounts
• Plan ahead: Apply at least 4 weeks before quarterly meetings (January, April, July, October) and expect 6-8 weeks total for decisions
• Reapply if unsuccessful: You can resubmit after one year, though no feedback is provided on rejections

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• Kent Community Foundation
• The Barratt Developments PLC Charitable Foundation
• The Reed Foundation
• The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust
• The Rowlands Trust
• The Saintbury Trust
• The Edward and Dorothy Cadbury Trust
• THE ANTON JURGENS CHARITABLE TRUST
• Cantiacorum Foundation
• The Golsoncott Foundation
• Cumberland Council
• Awards for All
• Kent County Council
• The Charities Aid Foundation
• National Lottery
• HELP FUND
• Heritage Lottery Fund

References

• The Finnis Scott Foundation Official Website - Home Page: https://www.finnis-scott-foundation.org.uk/
• The Finnis Scott Foundation - Apply for a Grant: https://www.finnis-scott-foundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
• The Finnis Scott Foundation - About the Foundation: https://www.finnis-scott-foundation.org.uk/about-the-foundation/
• The Finnis Scott Foundation - Who We Have Helped: https://www.finnis-scott-foundation.org.uk/who-we-have-helped/
• UK Charity Commission Register - The Finnis Scott Foundation (Charity No. 1121475): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1121475
• Funding Scotland - The Finnis Scott Foundation Profile: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb000000FGr3AEAT/the-finnis-scott-foundation
• Bath and North East Somerset Council - Finnis Scott Foundation Funding Information