The Society’s original aims encompassed providing relief to persons in need, awarding educational bursaries and promoting historical and literary initiatives, and beneficiaries were restricted to natives of Stirlingshire or their close relatives. Today’s grant conditions reflect a far more mobile society in which many different charites cater for a wide range of needs in the community where State welfare is insufficient or not applicable.
Our Grant Guidelines provide information on what projects the Society will and will not support, both for organisations and individuals. As they have always done, the Trustees have sole discretion in approving grants which conform to a transparent policy framework. All applications will be considered at regular quarterly meetings of the Board.
In continuing its past traditions, the Society still supports a small number of pensioners, who receive an annual grant and Christmas gift. We do not give grants to statutory / public bodies and local authorities. However, we will consider making a discretionary grant in response to an application by a local authority intermediary such as a social or community education worker acting on behalf of an individual.
In most cases, we give one year grants in response to specific applications. However, the Society’s Trustees may use their discretionary powers to enter into a funding agreement for up to 3 years with registered Scottish charities to support the development of innovative services or activities with local communities
in the Society’s catchment area. Organisations interested in entering such an arrangement should write to the Secretary in the first instance.
In the year ending 31 August 2007 the Trustees approved grants totalling nearly £3,000. This included two travel grants of £200 to individuals.