We fund
Backing organisations and initiatives and opportunities where support can help meaningful work grow.
Empowering transformational change
The Wood Foundation works across Scotland and Africa, investing in people, ideas and businesses with the potential to create lasting change.
Investing in change
The Wood Foundation carries the character of the place our story began: Aberdeen’s sense of enterprise, responsibility and ambition.
That spirit shapes work across Scotland and Africa, strengthening communities, regional economies and livelihoods through practical, long-term support.
Across everything we do, we bring more than funding. We stay close to the work, helping ideas grow into something lasting.
The difference our work makes
The Wood Foundation works to strengthen communities and economic opportunity across Scotland and Africa. Across every part of the Foundation, the focus is on practical change that can grow beyond a single investment.
£100m+
committed by The Wood Foundation across our work supporting long-term social and economic change in Scotland and Africa
$300m+
in foreign direct investment mobilized by The Wood Foundation Africa in smallholder agriculture in East Africa
40,000+
young people empowered through The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) in 2024/25
75,000+
smallholder farmers in Africa impacted by our large-scale and long-term projects and initiatives
600
local businesses supported through activities and investments focused on facilitating economic development in Scotland
“There is so much pride in what The Wood Foundation has helped make possible over the last 19 years, but it also feels like we’re only just beginning to tell the full story.
"The legacy of my parents is not just in what has been given, but in what that giving has allowed others to build. Now we have an opportunity to bring that story to life with more energy and a real sense of excitement for what comes next.
"From Aberdeen to Africa, the opportunity now is to build on that legacy with energy and purpose, backing people who are ready to shape what comes next."
One Foundation, different ways of creating change
The Wood Foundation adapts to work with different opportunities. Across Scotland and Africa, the approach is active, practical and long term, bringing support to people who aspire to create lasting change.
We build
Creating and delivering programmes where focused intervention can help improve outcomes over time
We partner
Working with people and organisations who bring knowledge, trust and momentum to shared goals
We invest
Using venture philanthropy in Africa to strengthen enterprises, industries and livelihoods in a sustainable way
Stories from across the Foundation
Meet the people and projects bringing The Wood Foundation’s work to life.
RAiSE and Excelerate: Celebrating a decade of partnership and impact
We're sharing the final impact reports for two of our largest education programmes: RAiSE (Raising Aspirations in Science Education) and Excelerate.
14 Jul 2026
The Wood Foundation’s commitment to empowering transformational change
We are very proud of our roots in Aberdeen and are pleased to confirm a £40 million investment in Opportunity North East (ONE) and Energy Transition Zone Ltd (ETZ) – two wonderful…
29 Oct 2025
The Wood Foundation appoints Sarah Chew as UK Chief Executive Officer
Sarah said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of the UK CEO of The Wood Foundation. I have long been inspired by the impactful work of the organisation in Aberdeen and across…
1 Sept 2025
The story so far
Since 2007, The Wood Foundation has grown from a family commitment to give back into a foundation working across different locations, sectors and forms of support.
Its story spans long-term regional work in Scotland, venture philanthropy in Africa and a legacy of giving shaped by enterprise and belief in people.
Explore how that story has developed, and how it continues to shape the Foundation’s work today.
"The Wood Foundation's expertise, commitment and collaborative approach have helped us scale our work and deepen our impact across the communities we serve. Together, we are creating lasting opportunities that empower the next generation and drive positive change."
Mark Williams
Chief Operating Officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust
"The support of The Wood Foundation has had a transformational impact on pupils at Robert Gordon’s College through the creation of the UK’s largest school centre for STEM education. This remarkable investment has created an inspiring environment for learning where pupils can explore, innovate and develop the skills, confidence and curiosity that will prepare them for the future."
Laura Presslie
Director of Advancement, Robert Gordon’s College
"We are hugely grateful for The Wood Foundation’s landmark long-term investment of £20m which provides us the confidence and stability needed to continue positioning this region as an attractive location to invest in low carbon technologies. Critically, this support has enabled a match funding commitment from the Scottish Government to significantly enhance ETZ Ltd’s impact, helping to create and safeguard jobs and secure lasting economic benefit in North East Scotland for years to come."
Maggie McGinlay
CEO, ETZ Ltd
- Rwanda — Venture Philanthropy with tea cooperatives
- Tanzania — Venture Philanthropy, smallholder tea partnerships
- Kenya — Venture Philanthropy in the highlands
- Scotland — Youth Development, with YPI in secondary schools
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The people behind The Wood Foundation
Meet the Trustees, team and wider network of people who guide and deliver The Wood Foundation’s important work.
Our trustees
The Wood Foundation is guided by trustees who bring deep experience, personal commitment and a shared belief in using ph…
Our people
The Wood Foundation is shaped by the people who guide, manage and deliver its work across Scotland and Africa
Careers and internships
The Wood Foundation is a purposeful place to work. Our team is connected by a shared belief in active philanthropy, stro…
Get in touch
If you would like to learn more about The Wood Foundation or speak to us about our work, please get in touch.
We welcome conversations with people and organisations who share our interest in creating lasting change.