The overarching objective of the Edward Gostling Foundation is “that people living on a low income who have a disability or long-term illness should have as many as possible of the same choices, quality of life opportunities and aspirations as others more fortunate than themselves”.
The Foundation provides grants to UK charities with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for disadvantaged people in need, specifically those who have a physical or mental disability, those with long-term illness or those on low income. UK charities must have been registered with their relevant regulatory body (for example, the Charity Commission for England and Wales) in order to be able to apply for grant support. The Foundation prefers to support small charities with an annual turnover of less than £1 million.
The Foundation seeks to provide grant-funding for charities operating in the following fields:
o Health and wellbeing: to improve physical and mental health, and general wellbeing.
o Independent living at home: to support people who wish to remain living in their own home for as long as is practically possible.
o Respite: to recognise family carers for their vital role, and
o Transition: to help people into employment, housing or supported living.
The following funding is available:
1. Small Grants up to £5,000 are available to charities with an annual income of less than £3 million. Application to the Small Grants programme are fast tracked.
2. Capital Grants for over £5,000 are available to charities with an annual income of less than £5million.
In the past, funding has been provided for:
o Education, training, coaching and development to promote independent living and/or support to help people into paid work, vocational services or volunteering.
o Equipment.
o Independent hospices and care homes.
o Respite activities (for example, covering the cost of participating sporting or leisure pursuits, or taking a short holiday).
o Supported living and affordable housing, and
o The provision of day services to support people with general life skills such as cooking, internet access and participating in social groups.
Funding is not available for:
o Charities that have not been registered for at least three years.
o Community Centres and Youth Clubs except where those benefiting have physical and/or a mental disability, are elderly or suffering from a long-term illness.
o Community Interest Companies.
o Core operating costs except in connection with setting up a new service or if the charity has an income of £1million or less (and submitted under the Small Grants Programme).
o Individuals.
o Overseas projects.
o Other grant making charities except through a match funding partnership.
o Projects that are completed by the time of the decision.
o Projects that only support people of a single political, religious or ethnic persuasion.
o Statutory services including local or national authorities, NHS hospitals or services, prisons and state schools except where the school is wholly for students with additional needs, or
o Universities, further education colleges or independent schools except where the facility is wholly for students with additional needs.
Further information, guidance, an eligibility checklist and an online application form is available on the Foundation’s website.
Applications may be made at any time and are reviewed by the Foundation every 3 months.
