The Essentia Foundation
A Legacy That Continues to Spark Possibility
The Essentia Foundation stands as a powerful reminder of what can happen when compassion, vision, and community come together. Born from a long tradition of service to the public, the Foundation evolved into a grant-giving charity with one unwavering mission: to help build a fairer, kinder Scotland where every child and young person has the chance to thrive.
For years, The Essentia Foundation invested in the dreams and potential of young people across Scotland. It supported grassroots organisations, community leaders, and dedicated charities working to open doors to learning, wellbeing, confidence, and opportunity. Whether funding youth programmes, expanding educational access, or strengthening community resilience, the Foundation championed those determined to make life better for the next generation.
What truly defines Essentia’s legacy is not only the projects it supported, but the change it inspired. Lives were uplifted. Futures were reshaped. Communities were empowered to believe in what they could achieve.
As the Essentia Foundation brings its own chapter to a close, its story is far from over. Through a substantial legacy fund entrusted to Foundation Scotland, to continue its mission, the Foundation’s impact will ripple forward — fuelling hope, supporting possibility, and empowering young people for years to come. The grant making objective has been, and will continue to be, small grants for smaller charities which work tirelessly to support the young people of Scotland.
The Essentia Foundation’s legacy is one of belief: belief in people, belief in community, and belief in the extraordinary potential that lives within every young person.
Our impact
We’ve distributed
since 2008
£4,719,858.64
To this many
organisations
219
Individuals benefited
22,131
Closing Statement from the Chair:
“The Foundation trustees thought long and hard about the future of the organisation as well as the current pressures on the Scottish charity sector and our conclusion was that we could best serve the young people of Scotland by supporting the full spectrum of charities active for their wellbeing. We have granted some £3.5m during 2025 to about 80 charities who will use the money to make a difference now and in the immediate short term to the lives of those young people and have left a residual legacy fund of approximately £1.8m in trust with our trusted partner, Foundation Scotland, to continue our small grants for smaller charities ethos in 2026 and beyond.”
Brian Davidson, The Essentia Foundation Chairperson
Funding and Information
The Essentia Foundation Legacy Fund will be managed by Foundation Scotland now.
All enquires and applications for funding should be directed to the team at Foundation Scotland.
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