The Big Change That Lasts Fund is The Robertson Trust’s strategic funding programme, supporting ambitious, long‑term change for people, and communities, experiencing poverty and trauma in Scotland. The Fund is designed for charities and social sector organisations which are seeking to deliver transformational outcomes, rather than short‑term activity, and can demonstrate strong leadership, learning, and adaptability.

Funding is restricted but flexible, enabling organisations to focus on what is most needed to achieve lasting impact. Awards are multi‑year, supporting organisations to strengthen their core work, develop new approaches, or scale what is already working well.

At this time, the Robertson Trust is prioritising applications which focus on Financial Security.

It provides restricted project funding of £20,000 – £500,000, usually for up to 5 years. Most grants are typically £50,000 – £100,000 per year.
Projects must demonstrate strong potential to deliver big change which lasts, meaning strategic, systemic or long‑term impact on poverty and trauma in Scotland.

The Trust is particularly interested in work which:

moves upstream to prevent poverty and financial insecurity
influences policy, practice, systems or behaviours
has a clear theory of change and potential for impact at scale
continues to have impact beyond the funding period

This fund does not support ongoing service delivery, unless it is clearly testing or demonstrating a new, scalable approach.

Applicants must be Scottish‑based charities, or third sector organisations, with a clear mission aligned to reducing poverty and its underlying causes, and an annual income of more than £200,000.

For further information, including how to apply, please visit The Robertson Trust website (linked for your convenience).