About our funding
We aim to create meaningful pathways into sustainable, long-term employment with our funding.
£1,000 – £10,000
Assist with a specific financial barrier that is preventing adults in Tayside from accessing vocational education, training or employment opportunities.
- Helping a new project get off the ground
- Providing equipment or course materials
- Supporting employability workshops
£10,000 – £30,000
Support structured vocational training or employability activity delivered by organisations in Tayside.
- Delivering a short accredited training programme
- Combining skills development with job search support or opportunities
- Covering tutor time, equipment, materials and participant costs for a targeted programme
- Helping with capital or refurbishment costs
£30,000+
Deliver substantial employability or vocational training programmes in Tayside with clear, measurable outcomes.
- Delivering multiple cohorts of accredited training
- Expanding an existing employment support programme or opportunities
- Supporting partnership projects with employer engagement and progression routes
- Helping with capital or refurbishment costs
Please note
Our funding amounts vary with each proposal
The level of funding awarded depends on the scale, reach and expected impact of the activity proposed. Trustees consider how any grant will directly support adults to access vocational training education or employment opportunities.
- We generally support new projects or initiatives, rather than ongoing running costs
- We generally only fund up to 50% of Medium and Large projects
- Medium & Large projects can be funded in instalments on a multi-year basis where appropriate, normally for a maximum of 3 years
We assess each application on its own merits and in line with our charitable objectives.
We aim to respond to all applications within three months of submission.
Eligibility
You could be eligible for funding if
Your organisation supports unemployed or re-skilling adults
The adults supported live in Tayside i.e. Dundee, Angus, Perth & Kinross or Fife areas
Common exclusions
Although our support is diverse, we do have some standard exclusions that apply to all:
- Applications that relate to children i.e. those under 16 years of age
- Organisations that do not operate in the Tayside area
Eligibility Checker
Answer four questions to find out if you’re potentially eligible to apply for Mathew Trust funding
How to apply
What to include in your application
We know that preparing an application can be time-consuming, especially when there isn’t a guarantee of funding.
We provide an application template as a guide for what we would expect from you at this initial stage. Send in that template duly completed, along with whatever other relevant information your organisation has; if it fits Mathew Trust’s remit, and there are no further questions from us, that may be enough to warrant an award.
Download application template
The application process
- Submit your application
Complete the application template and submit it via our Apply page. You will receive an automatic email confirmation when your application has been successfully received. - Applications review
The Board reviews funding applications every two months or so. Depending on when you apply, you may wait up to three months for a decision. - Initial assessment
If your application clearly fits the Trust’s remit and provides sufficient detail, it may proceed directly to a funding decision. - Further information (if required)
If we require clarification or additional detail, we will contact you by phone or email to discuss your proposal further. - Decision and payment
If successful, we will issue a formal offer letter outlining the terms of the award and, once you have accepted these terms, arrange payment by bank transfer.
If your application is unsuccessful, you will be notified by email; you may reapply in a future funding round if circumstances change.
How do we decide funding?
Mathew Trust supports organisations rather than individuals and supports applications benefiting adults within the Tayside region.
All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. In certain circumstances, funding an organisation based outside the Tayside region may be supported where there is a clear and direct benefit to individuals within the region.
If, having reviewed our guidance, you believe your proposal aligns with our objectives, we encourage you to apply. Each submission is reviewed carefully by our Trustees.
FAQs
Quick answers to common questions
When should my organisation apply?
You can apply at any time, the Trustees meet every two months to consider new applications.
Do you comment on draft applications?
We generally do not do this.
Does my organisation have to apply online?
No, applications can be made in paper form and sent in by post.
There are further details on doing this in the Application Template Form.
Can I apply as an individual?
Only if you are seeking assistance towards funding an educational placement on a volunteer-based overseas project, such as those arranged by Operation Raleigh and Project Trust. Up to 10 awards of £500 may be made each year. Please download the individual application form and send it to us via email or post, all details are within the application document.
Do you give feedback?
We generally do not do this.
How soon can my organisation reapply after receiving a grant or making an unsuccessful application??
If your application is unsuccessful, you should only reapply if there is a significant change in your organisation’s circumstances; or for a completely new project.
If your application is successful, you can apply for funding for a different project at any time.
Lastly, you can apply for further funding for a project that has already been supported when the funding awarded for that project is due to expire.
