The Rs Macdonald Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??3-4 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2 months from deadline
• Grant Range: ??1,000 - ??150,000
• Small Grants: Up to ??20,000
• Main Grants: ??15,000 - ??55,000 (average ??30,000)
• Geographic Focus: Scotland

Contact Details

Address: 21 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BB

Phone: 0131 228 4681

Email: office@rsmacdonald.com

Website: www.rsmacdonald.com

Pre-Application Support: The Trust encourages applicants to phone their office for an initial discussion prior to submitting an application.

Overview

The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust was established in November 1978 by Roderick Stewart Macdonald with funds inherited from his father, Alexander Muir Macdonald, whose family roots trace back to Macdonald & Muir Ltd distillery (which became Glenmorangie plc). Following Roderick's death in 1995, the Trust inherited substantial Glenmorangie plc shares, which were sold in 2004 and reinvested to increase charitable distributions. The Trust is now one of Scotland's significant grant-makers, distributing approximately ??3-4 million annually to Scottish charities. Under the leadership of Director Rachel Campbell (appointed 2018) and Chairman James Baird (2021), the Trust operates with core values of being compassionate, open, prudent, and enabling. The Trust's mission is “to support our beneficiary charities to achieve their purpose,” taking an active interest in funded organizations and fostering a supportive community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (Rolling Basis)

• Amount: Up to ??20,000
• Application Method: Rolling basis, no deadlines - apply anytime throughout the year
• Decision Timeline: Assessed on a rolling basis

Main Grants (Fixed Deadlines)

• Amount: ??15,000 - ??55,000 (average award around ??30,000)
• Typically multi-year funding
• Application Method: Two deadlines per year - end of March and end of September
• Applications assessed by panels, with trustee decisions within 2 months

Medical Research Grants

• For Scotland-led research into neurological conditions, visual impairment, or sight loss
• Charities can apply for specific research projects that have completed peer review
• Requires full research proposal and layman's summary

Strategic Grants

• A small number made each year
• Typically awarded to organizations with previous funding relationships
• Amounts vary based on strategic objectives

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on five main funding themes for Scottish charities:

1. Tackling Child Abuse & Neglect - Services for children whose lives have been affected by physical, mental, or sexual abuse

1. Visual Impairment - Support for people who are blind or visually impaired

1. Neurological Conditions - Empowering people with neurological conditions to lead better lives and be involved in their communities

1. Animal Welfare - Helping animals that have been abused or are in danger of abuse, and initiatives that reduce the risk of such abuse

1. Medical Research - Research into neurological conditions, visual impairment, or sight loss

1. RNLI Lifeboats - The RNLI is one of six charities nominated in the original trust deed. Over ??500,000 has been donated over 23 years for lifeboat station development and crew training. This appears to be a restricted funding relationship with the RNLI specifically.

The Trust values wider networks and support services that involve families, carers, and communities, encouraging participation for people who are often excluded.

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

• Individuals
• Non-registered charity organizations
• Projects that do not deliver a benefit in Scotland
• Organizations not based in or operating in Scotland

Additional Considerations:

• The Trust will consider an organization's level of reserves when assessing applications
• No specific size restrictions on charities that can apply
• Scottish universities can apply through the medical research theme

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Governance and Leadership

Director:

• Rachel Campbell (appointed 2018) - Oversees day-to-day operations with over ten years of grant-making experience. Rachel has stated: “We have a longstanding commitment to supporting charities, not just with direct grants but with a listening ear, an opportunity to connect and to develop.”

Chairman:

• James Baird (joined February 2021) - Over 30 years' experience in audit, worked as partner at Deloitte until 2017

Trustees:

• Professor Frank Sullivan - Academic General Practitioner and Professor of Primary Care Medicine at the University of St Andrews Medical School
• Stephen Corr - Managing Director in Business Development with Jennison Associates, became Trustee in 2023 after serving 5 years on the Investment Panel
• Fiona - Trustee since 2006, focused on people-centered governance
• Robert - Legal Director at Brodies LLP (since September 2019), corporate law background, previously with Virgin Money

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Before Applying:

• Speak with the Trust before submitting - phone their office for an initial discussion
• Verify your organization is a registered charity based in or operating in Scotland
• Confirm your project aligns with one of their five funding themes
• Check you can demonstrate benefit to people in Scotland

Application Requirements:

Complete an online grant application form with:

• The need identified and how it was identified
• Project details and timeline
• Alignment with Trust's funding themes
• Your organization's capability to deliver
• How your charity listens to and incorporates beneficiary voices
• Expected outcomes and how they will be measured
• Other funding sources (extent of support secured/sought)
• Future sustainability plans
• Detailed project budget

• Most recent audited or independently examined accounts (mandatory)
• If accounts don't reflect current financial position, provide up-to-date funding information for the current year
• For medical research: full research proposal and layman's summary
• For capital projects: plans, permissions, and warrants
• Minimum of two documents required for application acceptance

Deadlines:

• Small Grants: No deadline - rolling basis throughout the year
• Main Grants: Typically deadlines on the 10th of the month at 11:00 am (specific themes have March and September deadlines)

Decision Timeline

• All eligible applications considered by assessment panels
• Recommendations presented to Trustees
• Final decisions made within 2 months of application deadline
• Applicants notified by letter
• Unsuccessful applicants welcome to contact the Director for feedback

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. The Trust has awarded 882 grants totaling over ??26 million since 2015, with grants ranging from ??1,000 to ??150,000.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to contact the Director to get feedback
• No specific waiting period mentioned before reapplying
• The Trust has a history of making strategic grants to organizations with previous funding relationships
• Suggests openness to building long-term relationships with charities

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Trust:

1. Pre-Application Contact is Key - "You are encouraged to phone the Trust's office for an initial discussion prior to submitting an application." This suggests the Trust values personal connection and wants to guide applicants before they invest time in a full proposal.

1. Beneficiary Voice is Critical - Applications must demonstrate “how your charity listens to, and works with the voices and experiences of those you support.” This is a core value and appears prominently in their assessment criteria.

1. Clear Outcomes and Measurement - Show “the outcomes hoped for and how you will know if those outcomes have been achieved.” Evidence-based approaches are valued.

1. Financial Sustainability - Address both other funding sources and how the project will be sustained beyond the Trust's grant period.

1. Reserves Matter - The Trust "will take account of a charity's level of reserves when assessing applications," suggesting they want to fund organizations that need support but aren't sitting on excessive reserves.

Language and Approach:

The Trust emphasizes its values of being “compassionate, open, prudent, and enabling.” Their Director's quote about providing “not just direct grants but with a listening ear, an opportunity to connect and to develop” suggests they view themselves as partners, not just funders.

Strategic Positioning:

• The Trust supports “wider networks and support services that involve families, carers and communities”
• They “encourage participation for people who are often excluded”
• They seek to “create a welcoming, supportive environment” and “bring charitable organizations together as a community”

Format and Presentation:

• Keep proposals concise (3-4 pages)
• Use PDF format where possible
• Provide up-to-date financial information if accounts don't reflect current position
• Include detailed, realistic budgets

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Pick up the phone first - The Trust actively encourages pre-application conversations. Use this opportunity to test fit and get guidance before investing time in a full application.

1. Demonstrate lived experience involvement - How beneficiaries shape your work must be central to your application. This isn't a box-ticking exercise but reflects the Trust's core values.

1. Consider small grants strategically - With no deadline and rolling assessment, small grants (up to ??20,000) offer a faster, more flexible route and could be a way to build a relationship for larger funding later.

1. Think long-term partnership - The Trust makes strategic grants to previous grantees and emphasizes building community among funded charities. Position your application as the start of a relationship, not a one-off transaction.

1. Be realistic about reserves - If your organization has substantial reserves, be prepared to explain why you still need external funding or consider whether another project might be more appropriate.

1. Sustainability is not optional - Clear plans for continuing impact beyond the grant period are essential. The Trust wants to enable lasting change, not create dependency.

1. Scotland focus is absolute - Organizations outside Scotland or projects not benefiting people in Scotland are ineligible. This is non-negotiable and rooted in the founding deed.

References

• The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust official website: https://www.rsmacdonald.com/
• About page: https://www.rsmacdonald.com/about/
• Applications guidance: https://www.rsmacdonald.com/applications/
• Eligibility criteria: https://www.rsmacdonald.com/our-grants/eligibility/
• Our Grants: https://www.rsmacdonald.com/our-grants/
• Who We Fund: https://www.rsmacdonald.com/who-we-fund/
• RNLI Lifeboats funding: https://www.rsmacdonald.com/who-we-fund/rnli-lifeboats/
• Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register: https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC012710
• 360Giving GrantNav data: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-SC-SC012710
• Children in Scotland partnership article: https://childreninscotland.org.uk/our-new-partnership-with-the-rs-macdonald-charitable-trust/
• Quote from Rachel Campbell, Director: “We have a longstanding commitment to supporting charities, not just with direct grants but with a listening ear, an opportunity to connect and to develop.” (Children in Scotland, date
• Funding Scotland directory: https://funding.scot/funders/001b000000St4SOAAZ/rs-macdonald-charitable-trust