Conundrum Charitable Trust
Scottish Charity number SC049785
Introduction
Conundrum Charitable Trust was established under a Deed of Trust in 2019. It has wide, grant-giving charitable purposes.
Application criteria
Applications are invited from:-
- Community Interest Companies with an asset lock
- Constituted voluntary organisations with no charity number
- Constituted sports groups
- Community benefit societies
- Organisations with tax exempt status but no registered charity number
- Registered charities, CIOs and SCIOs
The Trustees seek to support applications for specific projects or activities where their support can make a significant impact on the success of that project/activity. Applications requesting funding to cover organisational core costs or general overheads are discouraged.
The Application:
Applications should be made in writing and on no more than two sides of A4. The application must include the following information:-
- An explanation of the purpose for which the grant is sought; and
- A clear budget/breakdown on how the grant would be spent.
Please note that all applications must include contact details (a telephone number and email address) for a representative of the applicant within the body of the application. It is likely that a member of the Grant Award Committee will be in touch to discuss the application further. Failure to do so or to respond to a communication of this nature may prejudice an application.
Applications that do not meet the application criteria will not be considered further. For applicants that pass the first stage, one of the Trustees are likely to want to arrange to speak with representatives from the applicant charity before the next grant meeting.
Geographical spread
The Trustees support causes in Scotland, only.
Size of award made
The Trustees may make awards of up to £5,000 per annum per applicant.
Successful applicants may re-apply for further funding twice (three separate applications in total). However, applicants are limited to one application per cycle; the Trustees will not accept multiple applications within the same cycle, even if they relate to separate projects. To be successful for further funding, the Trustees will be looking to see development of the charity or an application relating to a new project. Repeat applications for projects which have been funded previously will not be considered further unless the Trustees are provided with evidence of growth.
Restrictions
The Trustees will not support the following:-
- Individuals
- Bodies seeking to distribute grants/funds to individuals or other organisations
- Charitable bodies that receive income in excess of £250,000 per annum.
- Local, regional or government institutions and organisations with core statutory responsibilities (e.g. NHS, local authorities, parish councils and town councils)
- Organisations that appear to have excessive unrestricted or free reserves and no policy to reflect the rationale behind this
- Political parties or party-political activities
- Schools (except for special schools), parent teacher associations, nurseries, preschools, playgroups and universities/colleges
- Building renovations/general refurbishment
- Feasibility studies
- Foreign travel
- General marketing appeals or sponsorship
- Medical research, treatment and equipment
- Projects that promote religion
- Training or educational workshops that do not result in a tangible outcome for participants
Applications should be submitted as follows:-
By email: conundrum@turcanconnell.com
By Post: Conundrum Charitable Trust, Turcan Connell, Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EE marked for the attention of Miss Alix Storrie.
There is no need to provide a copy of your annual accounts, unless they are not available online.
Deadlines for applications
Applications should reach us by email or in hard copy not later than 1st March and 1st September of each year. The Trustees hold two grant meetings per year, in May and November, and seek to pay grants within two weeks of the grant meeting.
Please note that applications are not acknowledged on receipt. Successful applicants will be contacted after the Trustees have held their grant meeting.
Projects the Trustees have supported in the past
| Applicant | Project | Award Date |
| Answer Project (SC029271) | Day trips for their service users. | November 2025 |
| Baby Loss Retreat (SC048126) | Counselling sessions for families following the loss of a baby. | November 2025 |
| Central Wellbeing SCIO (SC051325) | Refreshments for their peer support group sessions. | November 2025 |
| Drumchapel St Marks Parish Church of Scotland (SC008954) | Programme of free music therapy. | November 2025 |
| Dundee Sea Cadets (SC010846) | Funding to purchase drums and cymbals for their Sea Cadet Marching Band. | November 2025 |
| Eco Drama (SC043920) | Delivery of the Out of Play winter residences project. | November 2025 |
| Equi-Power Central Scotland RDA (SC045949) | Resources and equipment for horse related activities for those with disabilities, neurodiversity and additional support needs. | November 2025 |
| Highland Psychoanalytic Collective (SC054307) | Psychotherapeutic mental health project in Scottish Highlands. | November 2025 |
| Link (SC027493) | Befriending Project for adolescents who are marginalised and isolated due to mental health issues. | November 2025 |
| Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SC047612) | West Lothian Television Project. | November 2025 |
| Sunshine Wishes Children's Charity (SC046697) | The Essential items Care Packages Project to help families facing financial hardship. | November 2025 |
| The Alba Explorers Centre for Outdoor Innovation CIC (SC822715) | The OaKley ASN Special School Wildlife Pond Project, aimed at encouraging pupils to explore and learn about nature. | November 2025 |
| What Moves You CIC (SC690771) | Delivery of the 'My Friend Selkie' live show to children in Scotland. | November 2025 |
| Words Matter (1201281) | Training programme for parents and carers in Scotland. | November 2025 |
| Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (SC035473) | Funding for a quad-bike and trailer for their marine wildlife rescue work in North East Scotland. | June 2025 |
| CoCo Counselling in Communities CIC (SC529259) | Funding to set up structures and procedures to allow trainee counsellors to receive support and complete their trainee hours. | June 2025 |
| Door in the Wall Arts Access (SC750856) | The development of Glasgow NEUK Collective. | June 2025 |
| Elysium Memorial Foundation (1195307) | The erection of the UK's first memorial dedicated to veterans who have lost their lives to suicide. | June 2025 |
| Gareloch Group Riding for the Disabled Association SCIO (SC028645) | Funding to purchase new riding hats for those attending riding lessons. | June 2025 |
| Megan's Space SCIO (SC050841) | Counselling for young people. | June 2025 |
| Nairn Book and Arts Festival (SC037105) | A concert by Duncan Chisholm and Julie Fowlis. | June 2025 |
| Nil By Mouth Charitable Trust (SC030375) | Funding for a MTA Learning STEM set. | June 2025 |
| Pause & Breathe CIC (SC668323) | Wellbeing walks and a lunch club aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation. | June 2025 |
| Sunny Govan Community Media Group (SC031526) | Funding 16 participants to undergo a radio skills course. | June 2025 |
| The Bridge Community Project (SC045049) | Cooking sessions. | June 2025 |
| The Occasional Cabaret Ltd (SC043059) | Making 'The Splitting of Latham' production fully accessible to audiences by enabling them to engage a BSL interpreter and captioner. | June 2025 |
| The School Bank West Lothian (SC046483) | The purchase of school uniforms for children and families who are suffering severe financial hardship. | June 2025 |
| The Touring Network (Highlands & Islands) Ltd (SC030983) | One-to-one support and network events for members as well as running 'The Gathering' to showcase the live arts sector. | June 2025 |
| Tourette Scotland (SC021851) | Support sessions for people with Tourette Syndrome. | June 2025 |