The Foundation supports a wide range of charities, mostly in Scotland, and principally working in the fields of medical facilities and research, the relief of poverty and assistance to the aged and infirm, education and learning, encouragement of personal development and training of young people and the provision of better opportunities for the less privileged and the vulnerable and the encouragement of music and the arts. They also fund under the headings conservation and environment, disadvantaged and disabled, elderly, homeless and hospices, music, theatre and visual arts, religion and youth.

The Trust wishes to encourage the playing of organs and has a fund to assist churches in having their organs played more than at present. It is hoped that this will contribute to the "open doors" objective of the Trust and its member churches.

The Trustees has two main areas of interest: projects that demonstrate a Christian approach to the practical, educational and spiritual needs of people of all ages; the adaptation of Church (particularly Methodist) properties with a view to providing improved facilities for use by the church and its work in the community in which it is based.

The Trust supports new work with the provision of small short-term grants to initiate projects in Christian action and research. It provides funding for projects that are: essentially Scottish; distinctively new ('Novum'); not readily able to be financed from other sources and short term - normally one year. The Trust focusses on the welfare of young people, the training of lay people or new ways of communicating the Christian faith.

The trustee’s principal aim is to provide financial support to individuals, groups and organisations which operate in Langholm and the surrounding area or for the benefit of its inhabitants although national charities are also supported. In the 2016/17 financial year the trust supported a wide range of charitable causes with the emphasis on education, citizenship and community development, sport, arts, culture, heritage and health.

The following settlements have a Trust in place: Anstruther & Cellardyke, Auchtermuchty,Auchtertool, Buckhaven & Methil, Ballingry, Burntisland, Collessie, Crail, Cupar, Culross, Dunfermline, Elie, Kennoway, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Leslie, Leven, Falkland, Freuchie & Area, Kilconquhar , Kincardine, Kingskettle, Ladybank, Limekilns, Lochgelly, Newburgh, Pittenweem, St Andrews, St Monans andTayport. You can apply for funding from a Settlement Trust if it falls under the following categories: Prevention of Poverty; Advancement of Education; Advancement of Religion; Saving of Lives; Advancement of Citizenship; Advancement of Arts; Advancement of Public Participation in Sport; Provision of Recreational Facilities; Advancement of Human Rights; Promotion of religious or racial harmony; Promotion of Equality; Advancement of Environmental Protection; Relief of Those In Need and Advancement of Animal Welfare

SSPCK's purpose is to encourage the promotion of Christian knowledge in Scotland and overseas. The objective of the Home Fund is for re-sourcing mission within Scotland, principally in the Highlands and Islands.

The Trustees can fund a wide range of charitable activity but are particularly interested in supporting those charities or projects connected with community development, environmental, women’s and youth issues with a view to including social inclusion at all levels. In 2018 they funded under the headings citizenship and community development, arts, conservation, health, human rights, relief of poverty, religion and sport.

The prevention or relief of poverty,The advancement of education,The advancement of religion,The advancement of health,The provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended,The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage. The fund has a particular focus on the Scottish Borders and Galashiels in particular.

This trust has general charitable purposes with a preference for Scotland, particularly the West of Scotland and Glasgow. It tends to fund the same charities each year.