SPFL Trust receives further £1.25 million funding from mystery benefactor

The benefactor were introduced to the SPFL Trust by James Anderson, the fund manager and partner at investment firm Baillie Gifford who two weeks ago donated £3,125,000 to the Trust to support Scottish football at this time of crisis.

An initial £500,000 has been received by the SPFL Trust this morning, with gift aid to follow (£125,000) and an agreement is in place for a further £625,000 (also inclusive of gift aid) to be donated in June 2021.

The donor wishes to remain anonymous, a request which will be respected by the charity.

From the immediate donation, £280,000 will be made available to club associated community trusts, who will be eligible to receive £10,000 to support their efforts during the Covid-19 crisis.

Around 150 activities, supporting thousands of isolated and vulnerable people across the country, have been delivered from a standing start, since Scotland went into lockdown in early March.

A further £220,000 will go towards the launch of Scottish Football United.

SPFL Trust chief executive Nicky Reid comments: “When James Anderson said he believed that his donation would be the start of something, he was absolutely true to his word. James has brought forward someone else whose donation and future commitment will make a significant difference to the lives of so many.

“Although I cannot name the donor who has stepped forward to support the SPFL Trust and club associated charities across the country, I want to acknowledge their extraordinary generosity. They have seen the amazing power that our clubs have to support those in need, in Scotland.

“The initial donation will enable us to now launch a £280,000 fund to support club-associated charities, enabling them to continue their important work. Each will be able to apply for £10,000, and like the club fund we will aim to process this as quickly as possible.

“I said two weeks ago that Scottish football has this incredible power to change people’s lives, and the funding we have received (and will receive in future) will help ramp up these efforts. In every way it’s a game changer.

“For example, earlier this week we revealed that at least 17 SPFL clubs will set up testing facilities across the country, using the Club Covid-19 Crisis Fund grant, enabling community access, and in effect creating a football network to support the country’s efforts to move forward, safely. This in itself is the type of principle we want to bring to bear with Scottish Football United.

“I’ve always said that our league in Scotland has the propensity to be the most community engaged league in the world. Never has that moment been closer.”