Home of Golf makes landmark £1.85 million announcement

The Home of Golf has made a major new commitment to its local community, unveiling a landmark partnership that will significantly boost support for grassroots groups and projects across St Andrews.

St Andrews Links Trust has agreed a new long-term funding arrangement with the St Andrews Community Trust worth £1.85 million, marking one of the most substantial community investments in the town’s recent history. 

The eight-year agreement, which begins this month, will dramatically increase the funds available to support local causes and community-led initiatives.

Under the new deal, the Links Trust will donate a guaranteed £235,000 per year for the first five years, followed by a further £225,000 spread across the final three years of the agreement. 

The arrangement represents a significant step up on previous guaranteed funding levels and reinforces the Links Trust’s commitment to using the global success of the Home of Golf to deliver lasting local impact.

The previous agreement, in place since 2010, provided a minimum of £50,000 per year and saw more than £1.5 million invested into the community over 15 years. 

The new partnership builds on that foundation, offering greater certainty, scale and ambition for the future.

The funding will allow the St Andrews Community Trust to continue its vital work across St Andrews and the surrounding area. 

Over the past 15 years, the Trust has supported 415 community projects, developing a deep understanding of where support is most needed and how resources can make the biggest difference.

Organisations to have benefited from previous funding include Friends of Craigtoun Country Park, Byre Youth Theatre, City of St Andrews Pipe Band, St Andrews Folk & Traditional Music, Families First, Options in Life, St Andrews Community Hospital and St Andrews Tennis Club.

Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “The evolution of our partnership with the St Andrews Community Trust underlines our commitment to using the Home of Golf as a vehicle for good within our local community.

“Over the past 15 years, this funding has supported some truly outstanding causes across St Andrews. I’m delighted that we can now extend and enhance that commitment for the next eight years. The values of the Community Trust closely align with our own, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will continue to have.”

David Murray, Chair of the St Andrews Community Trust, added: “We’re incredibly proud of our track record supporting St Andrews, and this new agreement allows us to build on that strong foundation. Our trustees all live locally, giving us a deep understanding of the challenges facing community groups and charities here. This partnership gives us the confidence and capacity to deliver even greater support where it’s needed most.”

As part of the new Community Partnership and Donation Agreement, St Andrews Links Trust has also pledged to support additional fundraising initiatives, helping the Community Trust broaden its income streams and strengthen long-term sustainability.