The SPFL Trust has said that the donor was introduced to the trust by Baillie Gifford’s James Anderson, who gifted the SPFL Trust £3,125,000 earlier in the month.

An agreement is also in place for a further £625,000 (also inclusive of gift aid) to be donated in June 2021. 

From the immediate donation, £280,000 will be made available to club associated community trusts, who will be eligible to receive £10,000 to support their efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.

Around 150 activities, supporting thousands of isolated and vulnerable people across the country, have been delivered from a standing start, since Scotland went into lockdown in early March.

A further £220,000 will go towards the launch of Scottish Football United.

Scottish Football United is to be a major new project launched later this year. It will bring together clubs, governing bodies, with national and local public agencies to create a focal point for future crisis planning and support. This will enable Scottish football to react and support communities quickly, and at scale.

The gift aid part of the immediate donation – representing £125,000 - will be used to support programmes that did not previously have funded settlements for 2020-21, the 4-4-2 Reading Challenge, A-Team, and Festive Friends.

The club COVID-19 Crisis Fund now has a value of £2.1m and is now being paid out in £50,000 grants, after all SPFL sides were determined to have passed eligibility criteria. The other £1,025,000 is being split into two parts: Scottish Football United and the Anderson Fund.

A new restricted fund will be set up, The Anderson Fund, which will be used to fund new projects, which demonstrate a positive impact on health, attainment, or inclusion as well as any general related support during the COVID-19 crisis. Details of this will also follow.

Nicky Reid, SPFL Trust chief executive, said: “When James Anderson said he believed that his donation would be the start of something, he was absolutely true to his word. James has brought forward someone else whose donation and future commitment will make a significant difference to the lives of so many.

“Although I cannot name the donor who has stepped forward to support the SPFL Trust and club associated charities across the country, I want to acknowledge their extraordinary generosity. They have seen the amazing power that our clubs have to support those in need, in Scotland.

“The initial donation will enable us to now launch a £280,000 fund to support club-associated charities, enabling them to continue their important work. Each will be able to apply for £10,000, and like the club fund we will aim to process this as quickly as possible.”