Our Mission
We aim to offer financial support for your education, we are Aberdeen Endowments Trust.
For over 250 years we have helped support thousands of individuals, families and organisations, to address educational disparities within Aberdeen. By investing in pupils, students, and local educational providers we aim to overcome social and financial barriers to education, inspire new pathways that unlock potential, develop invaluable skills and help individuals achieve their ambitions.
How we make a difference
With income from our asset portfolio, we provide grants to support education equality for the Aberdeen community, typically assisting those who would otherwise struggle financially to access opportunities.
To support our long-term objectives and maintain our impact, we focus on generating sustainable returns while maintaining capital integrity so that future generations continue to benefit.
Our assets include farmland estates located in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, ESG compliant stock market investments in a variety of markets and industries, and cash balances in short-term and high-interest accounts.
The assets behind our work
Three streams of income enable the Trust to offer grants and bursaries year after year.
Farmland estates
Located across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Stock market investments
ESG compliant, across a variety of markets and industries.
Cash assets
Held in short-term and high-interest accounts.
Our farmland estates
Ownership plans for each of the six estates in the Trust's portfolio. Click a tile to download the PDF.
Auchnagatt
Ownership plan, PDF
Muchalls
Ownership plan, PDF
Dumbreck
Ownership plan, PDF
Orchardtown
Ownership plan, PDF
Haremoss
Ownership plan, PDF
Towie Barclay
Ownership plan, PDF
Governance and Management
Our dedicated team of Trustees have all been appointed with the utmost due diligence, under the City of Aberdeen Educational Endowments Scheme 1985. There are currently 12 Trustees, with the Scheme allowing up to 13 elected Trustees and between 2 and 4 co-opted Trustees.
We believe that diversity of skills, experiences, and opinions, is critical to supporting our mission. Our Board of Trustees regularly examines the composition of appropriate skills and experience within the wider Trustee team.
Beyond our Trustees, we are supported by an administrative team including a Clerk and Chief Operating Officer, an Accounts Administrator, and a Funding Administrator.
Together, we empower local people throughout Aberdeen.
Meet our Trustees
For full details of our Trustees and their appointments, visit our entry on the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
Trust Standing Committees
The Trust has three standing Committees, organised by skillset and experience:
Land and Property Committee
Has responsibility for the Trust's Estates. The Trustees have appointed a Factor to manage our estates on behalf of the Trust.
Finance and Investment Committee
Has responsibility for the Trust's stock market investments and other finances. The Trustees have appointed two Investment Managers to oversee stock market investments.
Benefactions Committee
Has responsibility for the Trust's charitable disbursements. The committee reviews and approves awards, in line with agreed funding criteria ensuring fairness and equality.