Open to all — no membership required

Aspiring development trusts — support for community groups in Scotland

Thinking about becoming a development trust in Scotland? DTAS can help you work out whether the development trust model is the right fit for your community group — and support you on the journey toward membership.

Start here

Before you go further, read these first

These two short resources are the best starting point for anyone exploring the development trust approach. They’ll give you a clear picture of what a development trust is and what’s involved in becoming one — before you get in touch with us.

Is this right for you?

Is the development trust model right for your community group?

The development trust model isn’t right for every community organisation — and that’s fine. We’ll always be honest with you about whether it’s a good fit. This service might be for you if:

How it works

How DTAS supports aspiring development trusts

Support is light-touch and progression-based — we work with you at the right pace and move on when the time is right. There are clear stages to the journey, with defined expectations at each point.

 

This service is open to everyone — you don’t need to be a DTAS member to access aspiring trust support. It’s designed for groups at the very beginning of the journey, right through to those who are almost ready to apply for membership.

Scope of service

What aspiring trust support doesn’t cover

Aspiring trust support is informational and light-touch. It’s not an intensive development service. Specifically, it doesn’t include:

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  Not included: Writing constitutions, business plans or funding applications on your behalf
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  Not included: Leading your group’s development or acting as a project manager
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  Not included: Open-ended or unlimited support — there are clear stages and exit points to this service

Common questions

Aspiring development trust FAQs

Do we need to be a registered organisation to access aspiring trust support?
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No. You don’t need to be formally constituted or registered to have an initial conversation with us. Many groups come to us at a very early stage — we’ll help you understand what’s involved and whether formalising your structure makes sense.

How long does it take to become a DTAS member?
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It varies significantly depending on where your organisation is starting from. Some groups move through the process in months; others take years. There’s no pressure to move quickly — the goal is to get the foundations right, not to rush toward membership.

What legal structure does a development trust need to have?
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Development trusts can take a range of legal forms — including SCIOs, companies limited by guarantee, and community benefit societies. The right structure depends on your organisation’s purpose, ambitions, and circumstances. Your advisor can help you explore the options.

What happens if DTAS decides the development trust model isn’t right for our group?
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We’ll always be honest with you. If the development trust model isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you clearly and — where we can — point you toward other organisations or approaches that might be more appropriate for your group’s situation and goals.

For existing members

Already a DTAS member? Here’s what’s available to you