Bells Nautical Trust Grant

Bells Nautical Trust is a grant giving charity registered in Scotland as charity number SC017199. The Trust was founded by The Reverend Dr Andrew Bell who decided to sponsor various educational projects in Scotland. He had enjoyed business success in India where he helped to foster and promote private education for the community.

The Trustees meet twice a year and consider applications for grants annually in January under the Trusts objectives.

Organisations engaged in maritime pursuits, especially recognised training, like Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, Sail Training Associations and yacht and boat clubs, are welcome to apply for assistance. The Trustees are aware that education in maritime pursuits may contain an element of recreation and they will not regard this as a disqualification, but they will not consider proposals dealing solely with recreation. It is the intention of the Trustees to give grants where financial hardship/difficulty is experienced but not to bodies whose finances are generally met from public monies, except in exceptional circumstances. Grants tend to range from a couple of hundred to a few thousand pounds. In a typical year 10 – 15 organisations are supported with a combined total of around £15,000.

Recent beneficiaries include Dunbar Sea Cadets who received a grant to assist with the purchase of an RS Quest, Ocean Youth Trust who received financial support to cover part of the cost of a sea voyage, Leith Sea Cadets to purchase a new Pico Dinghy and Arran Sailing Club to provide for training aids for shore based teaching. Since 2005 the charity has donated more than £250,000 to over 50 beneficiaries.

Applications for financial assistance require to comply with the intentions of the Trust and any decision made by the Trustees is final. Applicants who are afforded a grant will be required to undertake to report to the Trustees on the progress of their project and its success in promoting maritime education; also the method of safekeeping of any equipment.

Who can apply:

Organisations engaged in maritime pursuits, especially recognised training, like Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, Sail Training Associations and yacht and boat clubs, are welcome to apply for assistance.