The Frieda Scott Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 221593

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??350,000
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks (2 months from closing date)
  • Grant Range: ??500 - ??20,000
  • Geographic Focus: Westmorland and South Lakeland District (local to Kendal, Cumbria)
  • Years Operating: 50 years (founded 1974)
  • Endowment: Over ??10 million

Contact Details

Website: www.friedascott.org.uk

Email: helen@fcsct.org.uk / manager@frieda-scott.org.uk

Phone: 01539 742608

Address: Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4PU

Pre-application Support: The Trust welcomes contact before applying and encourages applicants to discuss their projects. They will review draft applications if received at least two weeks before the deadline.

Overview

The Frieda Scott Charitable Trust was established in 1974 following the death of Frieda Scott, wife of local businessman and philanthropist Francis C Scott. Celebrating 50 years of grant-making in 2024, this independent trust is based in Kendal and focuses exclusively on supporting charities and community groups in Westmorland that work with people facing disadvantage. With an endowment of over ??10 million, the trust distributes approximately ??350,000 annually across three grant programmes: Main Grants (??4,500-??20,000), Small Grants (up to ??4,500), and an invitation-only Step Change programme for capacity building. Since 2017, the Trust has focused funding on positive mental wellbeing, reducing rural isolation, and inclusion for those with disabilities. Over the past two decades, more than 75 village halls across the region have benefitted from improvement grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grants: ??4,500 - ??20,000

For revenue or capital costs. Village and community halls cannot apply under this programme for capital projects. Applications are made through an online portal with fixed deadlines.

Small Grants: ??500 - ??4,500

For revenue or capital costs. Village halls, community halls, and playgrounds apply under this programme for capital grants. Online applications with fixed deadlines.

Step Change: Invitation-only programme

Provides grants and support to help groups build their capacity, including funding for training or specialist advice. Available to existing grant holders.

Multi-year Grants: Available to groups who have previously received funding from the Trust. Applicants should contact the Trust Manager to discuss.

Priority Areas

Since 2017, the Trust has focused on three core areas:

  • Positive mental wellbeing: Supporting activities that promote mental health and emotional resilience
  • Reducing rural isolation: Addressing loneliness and isolation in rural communities across Westmorland
  • Inclusion for those with disabilities: Enabling access and participation for disabled people

The Trust supports:

  • Running costs (revenue funding for ongoing activities)
  • Project costs (specific initiatives and programmes)
  • Capital costs (buildings, equipment, facilities improvements including disabled access, insulation, solar panels)
  • Organisational development

Recent funded projects include village hall improvements (Victory Hall, Temple Sowerby), arts programmes (Ragtag Arts), and accessibility modifications.

What They Don't Fund

While the Trust's exclusions are not explicitly detailed publicly, their focus is specifically on:

  • Organisations operating within Westmorland/South Lakeland District
  • Registered charities, formally constituted groups, or not-for-profit organisations
  • Projects demonstrating community benefit
  • Work supporting people facing disadvantage
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Sam Scott - Chair

Ian Baldwin - Chair, Small Grants Committee

Alison Alger - HR Committee

Chris Billinge - Investment Committee and Finance and Risk Committee

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust does not have any trading subsidiaries.

Staff

Trust Manager: manager@frieda-scott.org.uk (Contact for guidance on applications and multi-year grants)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust uses a simple, one-stage online application system. Applications are submitted through their website for both Main and Small Grants programmes.

Application Form Requirements:

  • Details about your organisation
  • Information about activities and beneficiaries
  • Project budget breakdown
  • For non-registered charities: Copy of governing document (rules/constitution)
  • For capital projects: Three separate quotes where possible

Application Deadlines: Fixed deadlines with multiple rounds per year. Deadlines are published on the website.

Draft Application Review: The Trust will review draft applications if received at least two weeks before the published deadline. Contact manager@frieda-scott.org.uk to request a Word version of the application form or to submit a draft.

Decision Timeline

All applicants will be informed of the outcome within two months (8 weeks) of the closing date.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. With approximately ??350,000 distributed annually and grants ranging from ??500-??20,000, the Trust likely makes between 20-70 grants per year depending on award sizes.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication after unsuccessful applications is not explicitly stated. However, the availability of multi-year grants for previous recipients suggests the Trust values ongoing relationships with effective organisations.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Trust

  1. Contact them before applying: The Trust actively encourages potential applicants to get in touch for a conversation about their project before submitting an application.
  1. Submit draft applications: Take advantage of the draft review service by submitting your draft at least two weeks before the deadline.
  1. Focus on disadvantage: The Trust prioritises work that “meets the most urgent needs in our community and benefits those facing the greatest disadvantage.”
  1. Geographic specificity: Ensure your work is clearly based in and serving communities within Westmorland/South Lakeland District.
  1. Demonstrate local understanding: The Trust values organisations that “are based in and understand the needs of their community” to reach those facing “the greatest levels of isolation, exclusion and disadvantage.”

Funded Project Examples

  • Village halls: Over 75 village halls have received improvement grants in the last 20 years, including Victory Hall, Temple Sowerby
  • Arts organisations: Ragtag Arts (supporting creative inclusion)
  • Capital improvements: Disabled access modifications, insulation improvements, solar panel installations
  • Community infrastructure: Playgrounds and community facilities

Strategic Considerations

  • The Trust has been operating for 50 years and has deep knowledge of local needs
  • They value relationship building - previous grant holders can access multi-year funding and invitation-only Step Change support
  • The three priority areas (mental wellbeing, rural isolation, disability inclusion) should be clearly addressed in applications
  • Village halls and community buildings have been a consistent funding focus

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Build a relationship: Contact the Trust Manager before applying and use the draft review service - this is strongly encouraged and suggests the Trust values dialogue with applicants.
  1. Be locally rooted: Applications must demonstrate clear connection to Westmorland/South Lakeland communities and understanding of local needs. This is a very geographically focused funder.
  1. Address core priorities: Clearly articulate how your project addresses mental wellbeing, rural isolation, and/or disability inclusion - these have been funding priorities since 2017.
  1. Think long-term: Previous grant holders can access multi-year funding and invitation-only capacity-building support, indicating the Trust invests in ongoing partnerships with effective organisations.
  1. Show impact on disadvantage: Emphasise how your work reaches those facing “the greatest levels of isolation, exclusion and disadvantage” - this language is central to their mission.
  1. Apply to the right programme: Main Grants are for larger projects (??4,500-??20,000) but village halls seeking capital funding must apply to Small Grants regardless of amount.
  1. Allow time for support: Submit drafts at least two weeks before deadlines, and factor in the two-month decision timeline when planning project start dates.

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