Response to Jamie Langan MSP Correspondence

On 17 October 2026 we received a letter from Jamie Langan MSP requesting information about grants from Corra Foundation to Project Esperanza. This is our response to this letter available to download as a PDF or read in full below.

Dear Jamie Langan MSP, Thomas Kerr MSP, Angela Ross MSP, Amanda Lindsay MSP, Mark Simpson MSP, Senga Beresford MSP, and Max Bannerman MSP,

I am writing in response to your correspondence dated 17 October 2026.

Corra Foundation is a Scottish grant-making charity that works to strengthen and amplify people’s voices and their power to make change. We have over 40 years’ experience as a funder, working closely with communities throughout Scotland. Human rights and promoting equity are principles that guide all our work. Our commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation is central to this.

Corra funds charities that deliver vital work supporting many hundreds of thousands of people in communities across Scotland. Charities are among the most trusted organisations in society and have strong relationships with groups they exist to support. Much of this funding contributes to approaches that are tailored to specific groups, whether that is older or younger people, disabled people, Black and racially minoritised people, people affected by drugs and alcohol, unpaid carers, or people living in poverty. We are proud to be part of Scotland’s third sector and to fund charities that make a positive difference with, and for, people every day.

You requested information about the grants we have made to Project Esperanza. These were to support children and young people with care experience, to support women and girls facing challenges, and to support families and children in need. These grants were made using our published criteria and decision-making processes.

As a Scottish charity and an open and trusting grant maker Corra follows good practice on governance and transparency, sharing information on our website, through our audited annual report and accounts, and via 360 Giving. You can read our most recent Annual Report and Accounts here. Scottish charities are subject to a range of legal requirements, including guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). As part of assessing funding applications Corra carries out appropriate due diligence checks.

Your letter asked for our view on charities supporting or opposing policy change. Project Esperanza is a Scottish Charity that helps migrant communities overcome systemic discrimination and social challenges. Guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator confirms that ‘political campaigning – for example taking a position for or against a change in policy or legislation – is a legitimate way for some charities to achieve what they were set up for, their charitable purposes’.

Your letter also asked for further information on how Corra makes funding decisions. Corra’s website shares details about how funding decisions are made alongside information about which organisations receive grants. As part of running any grant programme we publish clear criteria and details of how decisions will be made. All our grant programmes have reporting processes which ask for detail on what has been done with the funding, alongside proportionate financial reporting.

If you would like to discuss our work further, please do get in touch and I would be happy to meet with you.

Yours sincerely
Carolyn Sawers
Chief Executive Officer