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Dunard Fund Ltd

Annual Giving
$11.9M
Grant Range
$100K - $35.0M

Dunard Fund Ltd (USA)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11,946,000 (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation/relationship-based)
  • Decision Time: Decisions made by trustees at discretion
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly; major grants include multi-million dollar commitments
  • Geographic Focus: Scotland (primary), with US operations supporting classical music and visual arts
  • Application Method: May annual window; restricted to prior relationships

Contact Details

UK Office (Primary):

  • Address: c/o J&H Mitchell, 51 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BU, Scotland
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 0131 556 4043
  • Scottish Charity Number: SC046889
  • England & Wales Charity Number: 295790 (removed from register)

US Office:

  • Location: Northbrook, IL
  • EIN: 98-0087034

Overview

The Dunard Fund was established by the Colburn family, with the name derived from a house owned by philanthropist Carol Colburn Grigor and her then-husband in Aberfeldy, Scotland. Operating since at least 2016, the fund has become one of Scotland's largest arts benefactors, with Carol Colburn Grigor estimated to have donated more than £100 million to the UK arts sector. The US arm, Dunard Fund USA Ltd, distributed nearly $12 million in grants in 2022 across 18 awards. The fund's strategic approach emphasizes long-term relationships and transformative projects over one-off donations, with particular focus on classical music at the highest standard, visual arts education and exhibition at international level, and architectural preservation and creation. Grigor describes her family's philanthropic philosophy through the lens of the historical "almoner"—emphasizing quiet duty and obligation rather than public recognition, though she has recently become more visible to address questions about funding sources and inspire other donors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Dunard Fund does not operate formal grant programs with set amounts. Instead, trustees make strategic decisions to support major initiatives that align with their priorities. Notable commitments include:

  • Dunard Centre Project: £35 million toward Edinburgh's first purpose-built concert hall in 100 years, plus contributions to associated projects
  • St Mary's Music School: £35 million for relocation plus £10 million endowment
  • Edinburgh International Festival: £500,000 for debt relief (historical)
  • Multi-year institutional support: Varies by organization and project scope

Application occurs during a May annual window, but eligibility is restricted to charities previously involved with the fund at trustees' discretion.

Priority Areas

Classical Music Performance & Training:

  • Support for major Scottish orchestras (RSNO, Scottish Chamber Orchestra)
  • Opera companies (Scottish Opera, Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne)
  • Music education institutions and festivals (East Neuk Festival)
  • Concert venues and infrastructure
  • Professorships and endowed positions

Visual Arts:

  • National Galleries of Scotland
  • Scottish National Portrait Gallery
  • International standard exhibitions and education

Architecture:

  • Rehabilitation of endangered architectural masterpieces
  • Design and construction of new architectural masterpieces
  • Concert halls and cultural infrastructure

Limited Environmental & Other Projects:

  • Trustees dedicate a "very small percentage" annually to environmental causes
  • American Ireland Fund (through US arm)

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations without prior relationship with the fund
  • One-off requests (trustees prefer long-term engagement)
  • Projects outside classical music, visual arts, and architecture (with rare exceptions)
  • Public fundraising appeals (the fund operates through trustee discretion)

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Carol Colburn Grigor CBE, FRSE (born 1944)

  • American philanthropist and former concert pianist
  • Educated at Indiana University School of Music (B.Mus. cum laude) and Yale University School of Music (M.M.A. in piano performance)
  • Former lifetime director of Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Awarded Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy
  • Received CBE for services to the arts in Scotland
  • Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

Trustee Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Grigor's Philanthropic Philosophy: "I was born with the 'giving gene' and I am somewhat astonished that I am celebrated for my philanthropic activities which, for me, are in themselves the long-lasting pleasure and the spiritual rewards of giving." She emphasizes supporting "ideas" over direct aid to people, focusing on institutional and artistic causes.

Collaborative Approach: According to those who have worked with her, Grigor is "driven by a strong purpose and tends to be collaborative, sharing goals from the outset and maintaining clear communication." She has been described as "instrumental to projects getting off the ground, rather than simply signing a cheque," attending well over 20 board meetings in person for major projects.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Limited Public Application Process: The Dunard Fund operates primarily through trustee discretion and prior relationships rather than open applications.

Eligibility: Charities who have been previously involved with the Dunard Fund, at the trustees' discretion.

Application Window: May each year

Application Method:

  • Email submission to [email protected]
  • Written correspondence to the Pitlochry office

Required Documents:

  • Audited accounts
  • Half-page application summary

Current Status: Applications are currently closed outside the May window.

Getting on Their Radar

The Dunard Fund identifies potential beneficiaries through Carol Colburn Grigor's deep involvement in the classical music and arts sectors. Specific strategies include:

Board Connections: Grigor serves or has served on boards of major arts institutions, including as lifetime director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Board members from supported organizations often identify new opportunities.

Edinburgh International Festival Network: The fund has strong ties to the Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and associated institutions. Organizations within this ecosystem may gain visibility.

Government and Sector Engagement: Grigor meets with Scottish government officials about cultural initiatives. Being part of strategic conversations about Scotland's arts infrastructure can create awareness.

Architectural and Cultural Projects: The fund's focus on "endangered architectural masterpieces" and new cultural buildings means involvement in major heritage or construction projects aligned with arts may attract attention.

Long-term Relationship Building: As one analysis notes, people like Grigor "tend to be collaborative, sharing goals from the outset." Building genuine relationships over time rather than transactional requests is key.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made by trustees at their discretion following the May application review period. Specific timelines are not publicly disclosed and likely vary significantly based on the scale and complexity of the project.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The fund distributed 18 grants totaling nearly $12 million (US arm) in 2022, suggesting highly selective grantmaking focused on substantial awards rather than numerous small grants.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Given the relationship-based approach and preference for long-term engagement over one-off donations, unsuccessful first-time applicants may need to build relationships with trustees before reapplying. Organizations with prior relationships can likely reapply in subsequent May windows.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Highest Standards: The fund explicitly prioritizes "classical music at the highest standard" and "visual arts at an international standard." Applications must demonstrate world-class quality, not regional or community-level programming.

Long-term Significance: From the fund's own guidance: "As a matter of general policy, the trustees prefer to engage with recipients to enable long-term development of projects and initiatives which have major and lasting significance. They are therefore less inclined to provide one-off donations." Successful applications articulate multi-year impact and sustained benefit.

Scottish Focus (UK arm): While the US arm supports American institutions, the UK Dunard Fund specifically seeks to "promote and advance the arts in Scotland." Geographic alignment is essential.

Transformative Scale: Recent grants demonstrate preference for major initiatives: £35 million for the Dunard Centre, £35 million for St Mary's Music School relocation. The fund supports projects that fundamentally transform institutions or create landmark facilities.

Architectural Excellence: Beyond traditional arts programming, the fund values "the rehabilitation of endangered architectural masterpieces and the design and construction of new architectural masterpieces." Projects combining artistic programming with architectural significance have strong appeal.

Personal Engagement Opportunities: Grigor's hands-on approach—attending "well over 20 board meetings in person"—suggests she values opportunities for meaningful involvement. Projects offering substantive governance or advisory roles may be more attractive than passive funding relationships.

Institutional Credibility: Beneficiaries include flagship organizations: Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera, RSNO. Established institutions with proven track records and governance structures are most likely to succeed.

Alignment with Grigor's Interests: As a former concert pianist educated at Yale School of Music, Grigor has deep expertise in classical music. Projects that resonate with her professional background and personal passions have advantages.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship is paramount: This is not an open grant program. You must have prior involvement with the fund or establish trustee connections before applying. Consider multi-year relationship building.

  • Think transformational, not incremental: The fund supports major initiatives that create lasting infrastructure and institutional change—£35 million commitments, new concert halls, endowed professorships. Small-scale projects are unlikely to align.

  • Demonstrate world-class standards: "Highest standard" and "international standard" are not aspirational phrases but literal requirements. Your project must compete globally in quality.

  • Scottish geography matters (for UK arm): The UK fund exists to advance arts in Scotland specifically. US organizations should approach the Northbrook office; Scottish organizations should emphasize their Scottish impact.

  • Long-term engagement over one-time grants: Explicitly state how funding enables sustained development across multiple years. The fund prefers ongoing partnerships to transactional relationships.

  • Personal stewardship opportunities: Carol Colburn Grigor invests time and expertise, not just money. Articulate meaningful roles for trustee engagement beyond check-signing.

  • May deadline is firm: Applications are only accepted during the May window. Plan accordingly and ensure all materials (audited accounts, summary) are ready in advance.

References

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