Accountancy and advisory firm MHA has donated £3,500 to help improve the financial literacy of young people in Edinburgh.

This is the first donation to be announced in Scotland from the MHA 1892 Foundation, a new charitable initiative designed to address the financial literacy gap among young people across the UK.

The grant will be used by Edinburgh-based Grassmarket Community Project to launch a finance and budgeting workshop that strengthens young people’s practical money management skills.

The MHA 1892 Foundation was launched by MHA as a pilot in the North West of England in 2023 and, following its success, was rolled out nationally in late 2025. Its purpose is to deliver accessible, engaging financial education to young people in the communities where MHA offices operate, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take control of their financial futures.

Helene van der Ploeg, Chief Executive Officer at Grassmarket Community Project, said: “At a time when charity funding is increasingly difficult to secure, support from the MHA 1892 Foundation is particularly valuable in enabling us to deliver practical, long-term support that helps young people with complex issues build essential life skills and reach their potential.

“The grant allows us to strengthen and expand our Young Members’ Learning and Employability Hub programme. It enables us to add a dedicated strand of support focused on budgeting, online banking and financial awareness, ensuring young people who may not otherwise have access to financial education are better equipped to manage their finances.”

Allan Smith, Partner at MHA, Edinburgh, said: “This initiative reflects our focus on addressing gaps in financial literacy through community-led support. Equipping young people with financial knowledge is vital to shaping a brighter future. We look forward to supporting further initiatives that help build the knowledge and confidence needed to manage finances as they move into adulthood, particularly where access to financial education may be limited.”

Over the next year, the charity’s programme will deliver a series of practical financial management sessions covering topics such as understanding income and expenditure, planning for household bills, using online banking safely and recognising fraud and financial crime. Participants will also develop a simple personal budget plan, supported by ongoing guidance from the charity’s team.

Supporting more than 100 young people aged 16-25 facing complex challenges, Grassmarket Community Project provides clear employability pathways through paid pre-apprenticeships, accredited learning, skills training and supported placements – helping to build wellbeing and readiness for work.

Further support in Scotland from the MHA 1892 Foundation is due to be announced. Funds are generated through charitable initiatives led by MHA staff, with match funding provided by the firm’s partners.

MHA is the UK member firm of Baker Tilly International and is an AIM-listed company, ranking as the 11th largest accountancy group in the UK and Republic of Ireland. In addition to its Edinburgh office, the firm has a presence in Aberdeen.