Over £35,000 was raised through the Fund the Future campaign to support the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders for Scotland.
The Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation (ESF) has raised a grand total of £37,685.91 to help support the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders that will shape Scotland, and we owe it all to you.
Back in September, we announced our #FundTheFuture crowdfunding campaign with the aim of raising funds to support our 2023 Saltire Scholar Internship Programme. By raising these vital funds, it was our mission to identify new, untapped talent in Scotland and expand opportunities for them, to catalyse a new generation of entrepreneurial business leaders for Scotland.
We’re proud to announce that thanks to the generosity of our community, we have raised an astonishing £37,685.91.
The money raised will directly support the growth and development of our Saltire Scholar Internship Programme and the talented, high-potential students that will benefit from the programme for years to come. In particular, the funds will support the programme in ensuring all opportunities remain fully funded for candidates, through the provision of travel and accommodation. Furthermore, the funds will help us provide more dedicated support for interns, deliver aptitude testing for every student in the 2023 candidate pool, and will support the expansion of the programme into Australia, as we aim to secure new placements in the country for 2023.
The programme provides entrepreneurially-minded undergraduate university students in their penultimate year of study an internship virtually or in-person across the world – focusing on identifying those with potential and ambition and giving them a transformational experience to hone their skills and mindset for future employment and entrepreneurship.
We can’t thank our community enough for their support throughout the campaign. Donations large and small came through, and collectively it will have a transformational impact for the future of so many people.
Sean McGrath, CEO of Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation said:
“The depth of support from our community can’t be underestimated. The level of support we have received, and the stories told throughout the campaign has reminded us all of the importance of the work we do and the true impact it has on people’s lives and wider society.
We will be forever grateful for everyone’s support. We are excited for the future of our Saltire Scholar Programme and look forward to implementing new changes to help the programme thrive organically to support our mission in finding, growing and connecting transformational leaders.”
The Fund the Future campaign allowed us to dive deeper into our alumni community, hear their stories and remind ourselves of the real impact the programme has had on their lives. Hear our Saltire Stories below.