The Burness Paull Foundation was established on 3 September 2015 to facilitate the charitable contributions of the firm on a collective basis, as well as to support the individual fundraising efforts of our colleagues - making financial awards to help them as they fundraise for worthwhile causes of their choice.
 

Funded by the Burness Paull partnership, the Foundation is the first of its kind to be set up by a law firm in Scotland and one of the first in the UK, with employees firmly at its heart. The majority of the 14 trustees who manage the Foundation are members of staff, sitting alongside the chair and managing partner to decide how funds are distributed.

In the last 12 months the Foundation has supported colleagues taking part in initiatives from growing Movember moustaches, to taking part in swimathons, bike rides and hikes and organising special events. Colleagues have stepped up and taken on challenges to support over 300 charities and counting since the Foundation was established.

As well as supporting individuals raising funds for causes close to their heart, there are always firmwide fundraising activities on the go too.

From the annual summer “back to school” and Christmas appeals to working with the firm’s internal employee networks on awareness and fundraising campaigns throughout the year, there’s plenty to get involved in!

 
Burness Paull has a longstanding partnership with Street Soccer, a truly inspirational organisation providing training and personal development opportunities for socially disadvantaged groups across Scotland and London, using the positive power of football. This is supported by the Burness Paull Foundation, and goes back over 10 years.

As well as financial support, sponsoring flagship fundraising events such as the annual Women Inspired lunch and Gala Dinner, we have teamed up to host joint football tournaments, held the Street Soccer Business Club in each of our offices and heard from the team at a number of our client events. Street Soccer is very much part of our community and it is great to be able to introduce their fantastic work to others in our network.

The Burness Paull Foundation is proud to sponsor the men’s and women’s teams from Street Soccer who represent Scotland in a range of international tournaments, including the annual Homeless World Cup. The 2025 event took place in Oslo and, for the first time, the Burness Paull Foundation also sponsored the England team. 

Our partnership with Street Soccer is one the whole firm is behind, with colleagues enjoying getting involved through volunteering at training sessions throughout the year, and joining Street Soccer’s team when they need some extra pairs of hands at fundraising events. 

In 2023 we announced a brand new project with Street Soccer, joining up with the Traverse Theatre to bring the experiences of some of Street Soccer’s women’s team to life in a groundbreaking new play “Same Team – The Street Soccer Story”. The project is a unique collaboration between the three organisations, bringing together sport, the arts and business for social change. 

This year, Street Soccer announced their new social enterprise Kitback, creating a positive impact for Street Soccer players, society and the environment, through upcycling and selling on football shirts. The Foundation is backing this innovative new venture which is already making a difference.

We can’t wait to see where our partnership will go next!