Francis Scott Trust
Every child and young person deserves the chance to thrive but not all have equal access to the support and resources they need to do so. That's why we work tirelessly with, and through, others to ensure young people in Cumbria and the District of Lancaster can fulfil their potential. We’re one of the largest independent grant funders in the area that's solely focused on children and young people (up to the age of 24).
Overview
Total reviews: 2
Median 18 hours
Latest Reviews
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Oct 4, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025 - Main Grants
This funder takes the time to understand the organisations and communities they support. They value meaningful, long-term relationships built on mutual trust and shared purpose. It’s worth investing time in helping them see the real impact of your work, particularly how it supports young people to thrive and develop their potential. Their approach is thoughtful and relational rather than transactional, so openness and clarity about your goals, challenges, and ambitions are appreciated.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They excel at building enduring partnerships that go beyond financial support. Their commitment to understanding the context and people behind each funding request ensures their funding has lasting impact.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Sep 29, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025 - Main Grants
Give them a call. The team are lovely and very approachable. Prepare any questions you have. Make sure your safeguarding policy is robust and up to date.
Pros
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They will come and meet you to talk through your application and clarify any queries with you. this is reassuring and makes you feel like your application won't be tossed on the no pile for something small.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Pulling together all the required numbers for the end of grant report took a huge amount of time. If that could be simplified in order to reduce the amount of time required to complete the report, that would be helpful.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Sep 10, 2025
applied in 2025 - Main Grants
Read the applications information and work out how your project / work fits with the aims of the chairty. Use the opportunities for contact and feedback as part of the application process.
Pros
Insightful
Friendly
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Applied and not funded
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very easy to get in contact, offered opprtunities to have a draft application reviewed which was really helpful. Came to the office to meet with staff and a trustee. Offered cotrsutive feedback after an unsuccessful application which is very rare; this was really helpful and will give us information what we can use for future applications.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Communication and feedback
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
In general a very positive experience even though we weren't successful
Sep 10, 2025
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2024 - Step Change
FCS have been very supportive of our organisation. From meeting them at the beginning of putting together our application, to carrying out our work and collating outcomes and benefits. The trust has gone above and beyond to help the organisation develop and grow. They have given extra training for managers, opportunities for apprenticeship, and have supported so many young people to be able to enter the world of employment with confidence and vigour.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for lesser amount
What year was this experience?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Extra support and time with the grants advisor, to help us to better understand our organisations development. Extra training and networking for organisations. Super supportive for organisations even if they do not qualify for the funding.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Thanks for your help with our organisation and staff training. Please continue doing your work in our area. Supporting organisations to develop and succeed.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
This funding body have a great team of experienced grants officers. They are friendly and understand the field that they work within very well. For us they went above and beyond any grant givers in the added support that they give to improve the quality of work provided in our sector.
Sep 8, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
After reading the funder's criteria for grant applications, speak directly to the funding officer, who will give you support and advice about the various types of projects that the funder provides grants for - they are very approachable.
Just be concise with the project your are asking to be funded, and ensure it is costed out correctly and in detail.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Communication with the grantmaker was very fluid and easily made - one of the grant officers came out to see a couple of the trustees to ensure that we had made the right options for the grant application. Initially, the process seems a little daunting, but with great help, advice and support it does become much clearer. The online process is fairly easy to use and saves your information as the application progresses. It does provide appropriate options to describe the grantee's organisation, what it does, and how it does this provision of services for young people.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Frances Scott Trust delivers what it says it will as a funder for the provisions of services for young people up to the age of 24.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Frances Scott Trust communicates really well with grant applicants.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Simplify, as much as possible, the online application form/process as most people who represent an organisation and are applying for grant funding are volunteers and haven't the time or will to try and decipher complicated questions and requirements.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent