The Path Trust

Charity Number: CUSTOM_2808B98F

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Not available
  • Decision Time: Not specified (managed through Foundation Scotland)
  • Grant Range: Small grants to capital project support (specific amounts not disclosed)
  • Geographic Focus: Northumbria, Edinburgh and East Lothian (priority areas)

Contact Details

Applications are managed through Foundation Scotland:

Overview

The Path Trust (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) was established in 2016 by anonymous founders with backgrounds in architecture and a passion for helping disadvantaged communities. The trust operates through Foundation Scotland's Foundation Advised Fund model, where Foundation Scotland manages grantmaking decisions and administration. The trust supports the conservation and sustainable re-use of heritage buildings and landscapes, transforming them into community resources that promote wellbeing, particularly for people experiencing mental health issues or homelessness. The trustees see their role as enablers, identifying opportunities for established charities to collaborate and explore innovative approaches to using heritage sites as therapeutic and training resources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Path Trust does not operate fixed grant programs but provides flexible funding through Foundation Scotland. Grant sizes vary from small grants (e.g., funding for taster sessions and design costs) to support for capital projects at heritage properties.

Application Method: Rolling applications through Foundation Scotland's online application system

Priority Areas

Geographic Priority: Northumbria, Edinburgh and East Lothian

Thematic Priorities:

  • Heritage Conservation & Innovation: Supporting the conservation and sustainable re-use of heritage buildings and landscapes for community benefit, with a particular interest in creating new uses that serve disadvantaged populations
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing: Developing projects within heritage buildings and sites that promote wellbeing, particularly non-clinical mental health support, utilizing architecture and landscape as therapeutic resources
  • Homelessness Support: Assisting with training in practical conservation skills at heritage sites, especially for disadvantaged young people and those who have experienced homelessness
  • Collaborative Projects: Identifying opportunities for existing charities to work together and explore new ideas, particularly partnerships between heritage organizations and charities supporting vulnerable populations

What They Don't Fund

As part of Foundation Scotland's grant-making framework, The Path Trust follows Foundation Scotland's common exclusions:

  • Applications from individuals (except under specific micro-grant schemes)
  • General fundraising appeals or activities
  • Trips abroad
  • Retrospective funding or costs already incurred
  • Repayment of loans or payment of debts
  • Core activities of religious or political groups
  • Costs that are the responsibility of statutory authorities
  • Bar refurbishment or costs related to alcohol sales
  • Non-constituted groups without a host organisation
  • Campaigning activities contrary to Foundation Scotland's interests
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Governance and Leadership

The Path Trust's founders have chosen to remain anonymous. They have backgrounds in architecture and a passion for supporting disadvantaged communities.

Founder's Approach: “Combined with their compassion for the less privileged, this brought about their interest in projects that restore heritage buildings, which after restoration, can be used by the local community.”

Trustee Philosophy: The trustees recognize that many well-established charities already support their target beneficiary groups. They are interested in identifying opportunities for existing charities to work together and explore new ideas, seeing their role as an enabler rather than directing specific approaches.

The trust is managed through Foundation Scotland's Foundation Advised Fund model, where Foundation Scotland sources and recommends projects to the donors based on their stated priorities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review Eligibility: Check Foundation Scotland's common eligibility criteria and the Path Trust's specific geographic and thematic priorities
  2. Online Application: Submit applications through Foundation Scotland's online application system at their website
  3. Required Documentation: Foundation Scotland will download governing documents and accounts from Companies House for registered companies; charities and other organizations should prepare to provide approved accounts, safeguarding policies, and relevant organizational policies

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a Foundation Advised Fund, the Path Trust works with Foundation Scotland to review and recommend projects on an ongoing basis.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated. Unsuccessful applicants should contact Foundation Scotland for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

What The Trust Looks For

Innovative Partnerships: The trust has demonstrated particular interest in bringing together heritage organizations with charities supporting vulnerable populations. The partnership they initiated between Crisis (the homelessness charity) and National Trust's Seaton Delaval Hall demonstrates this approach.

Sustainable Community Benefit: Projects that transform heritage buildings into long-term community resources, not just one-off activities. The trustees are interested in “long term objectives so that the architecture and landscape become a therapeutic resource.”

Practical Skills Training: Projects incorporating conservation skills training for disadvantaged young people and those experiencing homelessness are particularly aligned with the trust's mission.

Established Organizations Collaborating: The trustees explicitly recognize that “there are many well-established charities that already support the client groups they seek to help” and are interested in enabling these organizations to work together in new ways.

Examples of Funded Projects

Crisis x Seaton Delaval Hall Partnership: The Path Trust initiated and funded a taster session involving Crisis members in arts activities at National Trust's Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland—an innovative partnership between a homelessness charity and a heritage property.

The Ridge, Dunbar: Supported a social enterprise transforming derelict buildings into a drop-in centre, training kitchen and temporary accommodation pods for those facing homelessness, providing funding for professional design fees.

Heritage Property Restoration: Supported capital projects at National Trust properties including restoration work at Lindisfarne Castle and funding for the restoration of Lutyens leaded windows.

Strategic Advice

  • Think Partnership: If you're a heritage organization, consider partnering with charities serving people with mental health issues or experiencing homelessness. If you're a social charity, consider how heritage buildings or landscapes could become part of your delivery model.
  • Long-term Vision: Emphasize how the project will create lasting therapeutic or training resources, not just short-term activities.
  • Architecture Matters: Given the founders' architectural backgrounds, pay attention to how the physical environment and design contribute to wellbeing and community benefit.
  • Start with Collaboration: The trustees prefer enabling existing organizations to work together rather than funding isolated projects.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Focus is Critical: Priority is given to Northumbria, Edinburgh and East Lothian—ensure your project is in these areas or make a compelling case for exception
  • Dual Purpose Projects Win: The most successful applications combine heritage conservation with direct support for people experiencing mental health issues or homelessness
  • Partnership Applications Strong: The trust actively seeks to enable collaborations between heritage organizations and social charities—joint applications or partnership projects are likely to be well-received
  • Emphasize Innovation: The trustees want to support “new ideas” and see themselves as enablers of innovative approaches, not funders of standard service delivery
  • Foundation Scotland Relationship: Build a relationship with Foundation Scotland's grants team—they source and recommend projects to the Path Trust donors
  • Skills Training is Valued: Projects incorporating practical conservation skills training for disadvantaged young people are particularly aligned with the mission
  • Architecture as Therapy: Articulate how the physical heritage environment itself contributes to wellbeing and therapeutic outcomes, not just as a venue but as an active element of the intervention

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