Update on Progress Towards Our 2025 Grants
In the challenging landscape of nonprofit funding, every decision carries weight—not just for the groups we fund, but also for those whose applications we cannot support this time. This update is offered with sensitivity to all who have engaged with our process, whether or not they have progressed to the next stage.
A Record-Breaking Response
Our process to identify grant partners for 2025 launched on 7th October 2024 and closed on 18th November 2024. In that time, we received 116 complete applications, with an additional 49 that were started but not submitted. Historically, we’ve averaged around 90 applications per funding round. While this year’s increase may seem modest, the implications have been profound.
In previous rounds, approximately one-third of applications didn’t make it past the initial eligibility check—primarily due to criteria mismatches such as turnover exceeding our limits. This year, however, only three applications fell at this first hurdle, and of those, two narrowly missed out due to specific circumstances.
The Funding Gap
The 116 applications represent a combined project cost of £1.05 million, with total funding requests amounting to over £550,000. Against this backdrop, our 2025 funding pot of approximately £100,000 feels both essential and insufficient.
Our grants, capped at £5,000, mean we will likely fund at least 20 groups. However, because some applicants have requested less than the maximum amount—and all others will be asked about a “minimum grant for impact”—we hope to extend our support to a slightly higher number of organisations.
Progress to Date
We’ve now completed the initial sift, and 37 applications have progressed to the next stage: full assessment. These assessments will inform the deliberations of our grant-making panel in late February 2025, where final decisions will be made.
A Moment for Reflection
For those who have not progressed, we want to acknowledge the time, energy, and thought that went into your applications. The nonprofit sector in Scotland is facing unparalleled challenges, and the dedication evident in every proposal reflects the incredible work happening across our communities.
This process reminds us of the immense need for resources to match the ambition and passion of our sector. While we are limited by our funding capacity, we are committed to being as transparent, fair, and impactful as possible in our decisions.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who applied, and we look forward to sharing updates on the outcomes of this round in the coming months. Together we can continue working to improve Scotland for the benefit of women and girls 12+.
