ONE remarkable statistic shows just how important the Scottish Independence Foundation (SIF) is becoming for the Yes movement.

Since its formation in the summer of 2018, SIF has distributed more than £100,000 to grassroots projects within the Yes movement across Scotland.

Yesterday, we reported on the launch of the Mony a Mickle Maks a Muckle campaign to persuade independence supporters to contribute regular sums to SIF, which spends all donations on grassroots group and makes no contribution to any political party.

READ MORE: Scottish Independence Foundation steps up Mony a Mickle Maks a Muckle drive

“Just as we have already done with more than £100,000 since June of 2018, all the money we raise will go to funding grassroots projects within the Yes movement,” SIF chief executive Greg McCarra told The National.

“Our aim will be to look at our bank account on referendum day and see that it has been emptied in paying for projects and activities at grassroots level across the country.”

SIF say they intend to invest £88,000 in this campaign to raise £528,000 over the next two years, or £792,000 over three years, or £1,056,000 if it takes four years – but SIF is also well aware of the fact that a second referendum could be called soon by the First Minister, so the Foundation would like to see more donations coming in quickly.

“That’s why we are launching this big push now,” said McCarra. “The Better Together organisation was supported by big money in 2014 and we are sure they will get the same support for the second independence referendum.

“The difference with us is that people will be able to feel that they have ownership of the Yes campaign – can you imagine the feeling you will have when Yes wins and you have paid even a small sum each month?”

Full details of the campaign and how to register to donate can be found on the SIF website at www.sif.scot and there will be regular updates in The National as to the progress of the campaign.

One recipient of SIF cash has been the Independence Ambassador Programme run by Business for Scotland (BfS).

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, chief executive of BfS, said: “SIF is a great idea and much-needed at this stage in the new drive towards independence. The grassroots movement got off to a slow start before the 2014 referendum, but

SIF grants are helping get local Yes groups and initiatives off the ground, refreshing our grassroots campaign infrastructure – putting us in a better position to win next time.”

Talking about the campaign, chairman of the SIF board Dr Willie Wilson said: “The board now sees this as not only a means of increasing cash flow to the grassroots but also to raise our profile and step up a gear.”

Just a few examples of how SIF helps fund Yes groups

  • Yes Skye & Lochalsh – SIF provided help with field banners, videos, HiVis vests, training, leaflets and a badge-making machine. This is just one of many examples where SIF had helped a local organisation kick-start their campaign by providing the equipment needed to do streetwork.

The training contribution helped focus that engagement to make it even more effective.

  • Yes Musselburgh – another great example of streetwork being helped by SIF funding. Their gazebo was branded “Yes Musselburgh” and SIF also helped with event advertising, merchandise for their stall, several mobile display boards and printing of leaflets. 
  • Aye Banffshire Coast – this is a pro-independence, non-aligned group aiming to counter anti-independence messages from Tories in their area of north-east Scotland. This is such an important task that SIF gave them slightly more than they asked for.
  • Yes Caithness – another area where there is a concerted effort needed to win people over to independence. Again, they needed some funds to help increase pro-independence awareness. SIF helped them buy a gazebo, leaflets and with hall hire for events.