Scotland Fund Awards £750K to 17 Anti-Racism Groups

Corra Foundation announced £749,850 in grants to 17 organizations led by and serving black and racially minoritized communities across Scotland. The funding comes at a crucial time when racism is on the rise in the region.

What makes this funding different is who decided where the money would go. An independent panel made up entirely of people from black and racially minoritized communities reviewed applications and made the final calls.

Each organization can receive up to £50,000, and the grants come with two powerful features that smaller nonprofits rarely get. The money is unrestricted, meaning groups can use it where they need it most, and it's spread across multiple years so they can plan for the future instead of scrambling year to year.

The 17 recipients represent a diverse range of work, from Aberdeen Multicultural Centre to Scottish Asian Counseling Services, from Exhale Dot Group to Livity Youth Edinburgh. Some focus on health, others on arts and culture, elderly care, or youth empowerment.

Carolyn Sawers, Corra's chief executive, explained that racial equity sits at the heart of the foundation's ten-year strategy. She emphasized that fighting racism isn't just the responsibility of those experiencing it, but belongs to everyone, including funders.

The Ripple Effect

This funding model creates change beyond the dollars distributed. By placing decision-making power in the hands of people with lived experience, Corra Foundation is challenging traditional philanthropy where funders typically decide what communities need.

The approach recognizes something important: the people closest to the problems are often best positioned to identify the most effective solutions. When funding comes with both trust and flexibility, organizations can innovate, take risks, and address emerging needs without waiting for permission.

These 17 organizations have historically operated with limited resources, which meant limited voice and power in their communities. Multi-year funding changes that dynamic, allowing them to hire staff, develop programs, and build stability.

Corra's Racial Equity Fund started as part of the Henry Duncan Grants program, where about a third of available money was set aside for black and racially minoritized-led organizations starting in 2021. The success of that approach led Corra to increase funding in 2025 and create a standalone Racial Equity Fund.

The fund will reopen for new applications later in 2026, offering more organizations the chance to secure this vital support. Scotland's voluntary sector is watching this model closely as an example of how funders can shift power while addressing urgent social needs.