GrantRadar

The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust

RS Macdonald Charitable Trust Main Grants: Neurological Conditions

Main grants of more than £20,000 from the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust for registered charities in Scotland working on neurological conditions. For the Spring 2027 round, Trustees will make three-year grants of up to £55,000 in total, and smaller requests up to that figure are welcome; core and project costs, revenue or capital, can be funded. The next deadline is 11am on 9 March 2027. Requests up to £20,000 can instead go to the rolling small grants programme.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £55,000
Deadline
139 days left
9 March
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Registered charities based in, or operating in, Scotland, whose work addresses one of the Trust's funding themes: tackling child abuse and neglect, visual impairment, neurological conditions, animal welfare, or medical research (Scottish universities can apply only under medical research)
  • Individuals, organisations that are not registered charities, and projects that do not deliver a benefit in Scotland are not funded
  • There is no limit on charity size, but reserves are taken into account
  • Charities serving a broad group can only apply for projects set up specifically to address a theme
  • The Trust generally funds one grant per organisation at a time, and asks declined applicants to wait 12 months before reapplying

What it funds

  • Projects that empower people living with neurological conditions (children, adults and older people) to lead better lives and be involved in their communities
  • Services that also support carers and families, where outcomes for those being cared for can be measured

particular attention is given to lower incidence conditions and neglected groups, programmes addressing limited service provision in rural and remote areas, and services meeting needs across multiple neurological conditions. Work must offer care and support to people living with a neurological condition (WHO definition) as a referral criterion; projects for people with a learning disability must explain the link to these conditions.

What it will not fund

  • Individuals
  • Organisations that are not registered charities
  • Projects that do not deliver a benefit in Scotland
  • Neuropsychiatric illnesses traditionally treated through psychiatric services (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, OCD, ASN as a standalone category)
  • Covid-, fatigue- and cancer-related illness
  • Campaigning work (not normally assessed)

How to apply

  1. Check eligibility (an online eligibility checker is available) and read the application guidance; the Trust is happy to discuss ideas by phone or email first
  2. Complete the short online grant application form with basic organisation and project details (it can be saved and resumed)
  3. Upload the project proposal and accounts; the application is not accepted until at least two documents are uploaded
  4. Submit by 11am on 9 March 2027 (the Neurological Conditions main grant deadline)

speaking to the Trust before applying is advisable but not essential. Unsuccessful applicants can ask the Director for feedback.

Have ready

  • Project proposal of no more than three pages (budget can go on a fourth page), covering the need and how it was identified, the project and timescale, which theme it supports, why your organisation is well placed, intended outcomes and how you will measure them, other funding secured or sought, how it will be sustained, and a detailed budget
  • Most recent audited or independently examined accounts (plus current-year funding information if they are out of date)
  • Plans, permissions and warrants for capital building projects

PDF format is preferred. Medical research applications also need a full research proposal and a lay summary.

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