The Scotch Whisky Action Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_C4CFFCEF

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £100,000 (2014-2023)
  • Total Distributed: £1.17 million over 10 years
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Typically announced 2-3 months after deadline
  • Grant Range: £1,200 - £25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Scotland-wide
  • Current Status: Fund concluded general applications in 2023; now operates through partnership with Community Alcohol Partnerships

Contact Details

Fund Administrator:

Foundation Scotland

15 Calton Road, Edinburgh EH8 8DL

Website: www.foundationscotland.org.uk

Fund Sponsor:

Scotch Whisky Association

Email: pressoffice@swa.org.uk

Phone: 0131 222 9200

Website: www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Note: Following evaluation in 2023, the fund transitioned to a new partnership model with Community Alcohol Partnerships. General open applications are no longer accepted as they were between 2014-2023.

Overview

The Scotch Whisky Action Fund (SWAF) was established in 2013 by the Scotch Whisky Association and managed by Foundation Scotland, Scotland's only community foundation. Originally launched as a five-year commitment providing £100,000 annually, the fund was extended in 2018 to run until 2023, delivering £1 million over 10 years. During its operational period, SWAF made 89 awards supporting over 66,000 people across Scotland. The fund invested in innovative initiatives designed to reduce alcohol-related harm in Scottish communities, focusing on prevention, education, and awareness rather than treatment or recovery. In 2024, the SWA announced a new direction, partnering with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) and committing £300,000 over three years through the fund.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Previous Open Grant Programme (2014-2023):

  • Initial awards: Up to £25,000 for one year
  • Continuation funding: Up to £25,000 per annum for successful projects demonstrating impact
  • Maximum funding period: Three years total
  • Application method: Annual fixed deadline through Foundation Scotland's online portal

Current Programme (2024 onwards):

  • Partnership-based funding through Community Alcohol Partnerships
  • £300,000 committed over three years
  • General open applications no longer accepted

Priority Areas (Historical)

The fund sought innovative or pilot initiatives that:

  • Test fresh approaches to tackling alcohol-related harm
  • Deliver targeted interventions in Scottish communities
  • Provide opportunities for learning that others can use
  • Focus on prevention, education, and awareness-raising
  • Support young people at risk of alcohol misuse
  • Address family impacts of alcohol harm
  • Train frontline workers and peer educators
  • Create diversionary activities for vulnerable groups
  • Raise awareness of risk-taking behaviours

What They Didn't Fund

  • Recovery or treatment services for alcohol addiction
  • Projects outside Scotland
  • Non-innovative approaches without learning potential
  • Projects without clear evaluation plans
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Governance and Leadership

Independent Awards Panel Chair:

Dame Joan Stringer led the fund's independent awards panel, providing oversight and strategic direction throughout its operational period.

Key Quotes from Dame Joan Stringer:

  • “Tackling harmful alcohol consumption is a key issue for Scotland. The Scotch Whisky Action Fund will have a vital part to play in tackling alcohol-related harm across Scotland.”
  • “All of the organisations selected to receive funding are doing important work to tackle harmful alcohol consumption, help those affected by alcohol harm and raise awareness of risk-taking behaviour.”
  • On successful projects: “They have achieved very positive results since first being awarded this funding, making measurable difference to the communities and the groups they work with.”

Fund Management:

Foundation Scotland, an independent charity established in 1996, administered the fund throughout its operation. The Scotch Whisky Association provided the funding as part of its commitment to responsible alcohol practices.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply (Historical Process 2014-2023)

  • Applications submitted through Foundation Scotland's online portal
  • Annual application cycle with single fixed deadline
  • Required submission of detailed application form and guidelines
  • Applicants needed to demonstrate clear evaluation plans
  • Must explain how project will be assessed for impact

Eligible Applicants:

  • Constituted voluntary or community groups
  • Registered charities
  • Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIO)
  • Social enterprises
  • Community Interest Companies (CIC)
  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Statutory bodies

Decision Timeline

  • Annual deadline typically in late June/early July (historical deadlines: 25 April 2022, 28 June 2021, 30 June 2017)
  • Decisions made by independent awards panel
  • Announcements typically 2-3 months after deadline
  • Notifications sent to both successful and unsuccessful applicants

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages were not publicly disclosed. However, data shows:

  • 89 total awards made over 10 years
  • Average of approximately 9 awards per year
  • Annual funding pool of £100,000 distributed across multiple projects
  • Mix of new applicants and continuation funding recipients (typically 5-6 new awards and 3-4 continuation awards annually)

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants were not publicly documented. Successful projects could apply for continuation funding for up to three years total if they demonstrated measurable impact.

Application Success Factors

Innovation and Pilot Focus

The fund explicitly prioritized “innovative or pilot initiatives which will offer an opportunity for learning that others can use.” Successful projects tested fresh approaches rather than replicating existing services.

Evaluation Requirements

Applicants were required to explain how they would evaluate their project. This was emphasized as a critical requirement, indicating the fund's focus on evidence-based practice and shared learning.

Examples of Funded Projects

Youth Education and Prevention:

  • Fast Forward Positive Lifestyles' “Own It!” programme (£24,787, 2023): Delivered 400 hours of direct training to 15-20 groups of young people aged 10-24 across Scotland on alcohol-related harm and peer education
  • Paisley YMCA (£11,741): Used virtual reality and interactive video technology to help young people explore peer pressure and alcohol-related decision-making

Family Support:

  • Edinburgh Young Carers (£38,102): Supported young carers affected by parental alcohol misuse through residential programs, counseling, and safety sessions. CEO noted: “They have demonstrated improved mental health and developed strategies to manage caring challenges.”
  • Argyll & Bute Rape Crisis' Cowal Hub Family Support (£19,580, 2023): Provided free therapeutic support for family members impacted by another person's alcohol use

Training and Awareness:

  • Rowan Alba (£14,539): Trained pub and off-license staff in Edinburgh to identify and support isolated older adults at risk of alcohol-related harm
  • Absafe (Aberdeen): Created bespoke interactive environment for alcohol safety education

Community Engagement:

  • West Dunbartonshire CVS (£13,279): Launched befriending group for men aged 50-80 to address isolation and reduce alcohol misuse risk
  • Govan Youth Information Project (£10,000): Trained young people as peer educators delivering diversionary workshops

Terminology and Language

The fund used specific terminology that successful applicants reflected:

  • “Innovative approaches” and “pilot initiatives”
  • “Fresh approaches to tackling alcohol-related harm”
  • “Targeted interventions”
  • “Opportunities for learning”
  • “Measurable difference”
  • “Evidence-based practice”

Common Success Characteristics

  • Clear identification of specific target population
  • Innovative methods or fresh approaches
  • Strong evaluation frameworks
  • Measurable outcomes focused on harm reduction
  • Community needs assessment
  • Potential for learning that could benefit others

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Important Note: This fund no longer accepts general open applications as of 2023. The following insights are based on the fund's operational period and may be useful for similar funders.

  • Innovation was paramount: The fund explicitly sought “innovative or pilot initiatives” testing fresh approaches, not replication of existing services
  • Evaluation plans were critical: Applicants must clearly explain how they will measure impact and demonstrate what others can learn from their work
  • Prevention over treatment: Focus on education, awareness-raising, and prevention rather than recovery or treatment services
  • Continuation funding rewarded success: Projects demonstrating measurable impact could secure up to three years total funding
  • Scotland-wide reach: Projects funded across diverse Scottish communities from Inverness to Edinburgh to islands, with no apparent geographic preference
  • Diverse project sizes: Awards ranged from £1,200 to £25,000, indicating the fund supported both small pilot activities and larger comprehensive programmes
  • Multi-year track record valued: Many successful projects received 2-3 years of continued support, suggesting building relationships and demonstrating impact led to sustained funding

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References

All sources.