The Courant Fund takes its name from the Edinburgh Courant , a broadsheet newspaper that printed its first issue in 1705. When the newspaper folded nearly 170 years later, its assets were invested for the benefit of Edinburgh’s deprived children and in 1883, The Courant Fund for Children was established.

During the mid 1900s, social work and educational professionals agreed that The Courant Fund should strive to offer ‘the greatest good to the greatest number’. As a result, a great many children were able to enjoy annual trips and treats that, without the fund, they would not otherwise have had.

Back then the Fund provided Christmas outings, with underprivileged and disabled children filling an Edinburgh theatre during three matinee pantomime specials. In the summer months the Fund took children on the train from Waverley Station to enjoy picnics in the fields around Ratho, stopping off at Spylaw Park in Colinton before returning home.

In the present day, our aim is still firmly focused on assisting Lothian children in need, however with ongoing support from a wide range of childcare and social work professionals, as well as other voluntary organisations, we are now better able to identify the children and young people with the greatest need.

All of our trustees work on a voluntary basis, meaning that all funds are used for charitable purposes.

“Thank you for your generous donation towards our Primary 7 and Primary 5 camps in May. The children gain so much from both camps and it is definitely an exciting experience, which offers the children great opportunities”.
–Head Teacher, Forthview Primary School