The Margaret Dobson Further Education Trust is a modest grant-making charity that awards a limited number of grants in the UK to support young adults with a learning disability after they reach normal school leaving age, so that they may gain the skills to help them live a more independent life.
Project proposals that meet at least 2 of the Trust’s following objectives are likely to be prioritised:
o Designed for and targeted towards people with learning disabilities aged 18 to 25 outside the school environment. Those age 16+ who are not in formal education, training or work will also be considered.
o Enabling social interaction with other people and allow self-expression and confidence building.
o include accredited training.
o Offer employment experience.
o Offer the opportunities for people to gain transferable life skills, which may include how to access support.
o Smaller organisations which are demonstrating an entrepreneurial approach to a locally identified issue.
o Where beneficiaries have been adversely affected by the ongoing impact of COVID-19, and are
o Working in partnership with relevant local organisations and service providers.
Grant awards tend to be for between £1,000 and £5,000. During the year ended 5th April 2022 the Trust received 73 applications, of which 12 were considered for grant support. It was agreed to give grants to the following 3 charities:
1. Curly's Legacy: Farming at Curly's - £4,980.
2. Knowsley Disability Concern, Merseyside - Manage My Money - £4,472, and
3. North Tyneside Disability Forum: Disability not inability - £3,320
In addition, the Trust made a grant of £4,775 to the Ethel Trust. This was initially agreed awarded in 2020 but due to enforced closure as a result of the COVID pandemic it was not paid at that time.
Please note that the Trust likes to see that applicants have attempted to secure grant support from other sources.
Funding is not available for:
o General applications which have no specific purpose.
o Individuals.
o Organisations that were supported by the Trust in the previous year, unless a multi-year grant has been previously awarded.
o Overtly religious organisations.
o Retrospective funding, or
o Schools.
Further information, guidance and an application form is available on the Trust’s website.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 31st March 2024 for consideration at the Trust’s June 2024 meeting.
