Beatrice Gilmore Charitable Trust

The Beatrice Gilmore Charitable Trust, established in 2022 as a UK grant-making charity from the estate of Bernie O’Neill in honour of her mother, Beatrice Gilmore, is dedicated to transforming the lives of the most marginalised people disadvantaged by cultural prejudice and exploitation, particularly in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Rooted in O’Neill’s personal experiences of hardship and exclusion, the Trust’s mission emphasises equality, equity, inclusivity, and transparency, funding UK-registered charities with deep, participatory engagement in local communities to deliver community-led interventions that foster lasting social change, empowerment, and measurable benefits for vulnerable groups facing severe stigma, status-based exclusion, or societal prejudice.

It prioritises creative, replicable projects addressing vulnerability and marginalisation—such as stigma reduction and empowerment initiatives—led in genuine partnership with local NGOs, requiring beneficiary involvement in design, delivery, and ownership, along with evidence of need, sustainability, and high impact. Grantees must demonstrate an established track record in these regions.

Eligible applicants are small to medium UK-registered charities with annual incomes of £50,000–£1.5 million, basing operations in the UK while delivering projects exclusively in Africa or the Indian subcontinent. Typical grants range from £5,000–£15,000 per year (up to £45,000 over three years), covering 40–80% of project costs including up to 20% overheads, awarded biannually after online eligibility screening and due diligence.

Currently, all new applications are on hold pending a trustees’ funding review—check https://beatricegilmoretrust.org.uk for updates; ordinarily, deadlines are 28 February and 30 September. Exclusions include general poverty/health causes, capital projects (except integrated elements), unrestricted core costs, academic research, or work outside specified themes/geographies. Distinctively, it demands rigorous participatory practices and transparency, setting it apart through its legacy-driven focus on oppressed communities via accountable, values-led grant-making.