The Royal Caledonian Charities Trust

Charity Number: 213074

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £125,000 (approx.)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
  • Geographic Focus: Scotland (supporting Scottish people and charities)

Contact Details

Website: www.royalcaledoniancharitiestrust.com

Email: secretary@royalcaledoniancharitiestrust.com

Phone: 7774627257

Grant Applications: Available through website at royalcaledonianball.com/apply-for-a-grant

Overview

The Royal Caledonian Charities Trust (Charity Number 213074) has been raising and distributing funds to Scottish charities since the 1840s, making it one of the UK's oldest charitable trusts. The Trust's main fundraising vehicle is the Royal Caledonian Ball, widely believed to be the world's oldest charity ball, which has raised an estimated £3 million since its inception. Originally established to support the Caledonian Asylum (now Forces Children Scotland) and the Scottish Hospital in London (now ScotsCare), the Trust has expanded its reach to support small to medium-sized charities across Scotland. With an annual expenditure of approximately £125,000 (2023), the Trust operates with two trustees and ten volunteers, ensuring funds go where they are most needed to make the greatest possible difference to Scottish people in need.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Grant Round: £500 - £5,000 per grant

  • Application method: Annual application round through online portal
  • Applicants need not be registered charities, though additional due diligence may be required for non-registered organizations
  • The Trust supports small to medium-sized charities across Scotland

Priority Areas

The Trust's constitution specifies that charitable gifts must support Scottish people, with particular focus on:

  • The elderly: Supporting older people in Scotland
  • Children and young people: Including disabled children and those in need
  • Veterans: With a bias towards military causes
  • The homeless: Supporting those without stable housing
  • The ill and injured: Medical and health-related support
  • Those living with disabilities: Physical and mental disabilities

The Trust also considers applications that do not fall strictly within these categories but seek to help Scottish people in need more broadly.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, but the core requirement is that grants must support Scottish people.

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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Structure:

  • President: The Earl of Kinnoull (Charles Hay, 16th Earl of Kinnoull)
  • Chairman: Mr John Shields

The Trust is governed by two Trustees and two different Committees. The Earl of Kinnoull oversees the organization of the annual Royal Caledonian Ball. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The organization operates with ten dedicated volunteers alongside its two trustees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust operates an annual grant application round. Applications are submitted through their website at royalcaledonianball.com/apply-for-a-grant. The specific opening and closing dates vary by year—applicants are advised to check the website for current timing.

Organizations do not need to be registered charities to apply, though non-registered applicants should expect additional due diligence requirements.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. The Trust operates an annual grant cycle, suggesting decisions are made once per year following the application deadline.

Success Rates

The Trust does not publish data on the number of applications received versus grants awarded, so success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

While the Trust does not publish specific guidance on what makes applications stand out, the following factors can be inferred from their funding patterns:

Alignment with Priority Groups: Applications that clearly demonstrate support for one or more of the Trust's six priority groups (elderly, children/young people, veterans, homeless, ill/injured, disabled) appear central to funding decisions.

Scottish Focus: All grants must ultimately benefit Scottish people. Applications should clearly articulate how the work supports Scottish communities or individuals.

Small to Medium-Sized Organizations: The Trust explicitly states it supports “small to medium sized charities across Scotland,” suggesting smaller organizations may be particularly well-positioned to apply.

Track Record: Recent grant recipients include established charities such as:

  • Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) - received £17,500 from the 2024 SCAA Ball
  • CP Scotland (Cerebral Palsy Scotland) - supported “on several occasions over the past decade”
  • The Yard - supporting disabled children with creative play experiences
  • Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR)
  • Erskine
  • Gordon Highlanders Regimental Association
  • Forces Children Scotland (historical beneficiary)
  • ScotsCare (historical beneficiary)

Grant Size Appropriateness: With grants ranging from £500 to £5,000, applications should request amounts that align with specific, achievable project elements rather than large-scale organizational funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Scottish connection is essential: All funded work must benefit Scottish people; clearly articulate this connection in your application
  • Focus on the six priority groups: Applications aligned with veterans, elderly, children/young people, homeless, ill/injured, or disabled populations are most likely to succeed
  • Appropriate grant size: Request between £500-£5,000 for specific project elements or activities
  • Small to medium charities prioritized: The Trust explicitly aims to support smaller organizations where funds “make the greatest possible difference”
  • Military connections valued: There is “a bias towards military causes,” so veteran-supporting organizations may have an advantage
  • Non-registered organizations can apply: You don't need to be a registered charity, but expect additional scrutiny
  • Annual cycle: Plan ahead as applications are reviewed once per year; check the website for current deadlines

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