Bedfordshire Charitable Trust Limited

Bedfordshire Charitable Trust Limited, established in 1964 as the Ibbett Trust, is an independent, long-standing grant-making charity dedicated to providing flexible philanthropic support for charitable purposes, with a strong preference for community-based projects in Bedfordshire that advance public benefit. Grounded in values of stewardship, local impact, and enduring philanthropy, it prioritises improving health, wellbeing, and quality of life for disadvantaged or vulnerable populations, drawing from significant historical investments in local hospitals, social care, welfare, education, and community initiatives, while retaining discretion for UK-wide grants.

The Trust funds a broad range of activities, including health infrastructure and equipment, patient services, social wellbeing projects, core costs, capital grants for buildings, and running costs for smaller initiatives demonstrating clear, sustainable community benefit. It supports UK-registered charities and community groups, favouring small to medium-sized organisations with sound financial management and grassroots connections, particularly those based in Bedford, Luton, or surrounding Bedfordshire areas—applications from elsewhere succeed rarely without proven local impact.

Grants typically range from £5,000 to £50,000 (averaging £15,000–£25,000), with occasional larger awards up to £100,000 for major projects. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via email or post using the standard form (requestable from their website), requiring organisational details, accounts, constitution, and safeguarding policies; submit by 1 October for the annual November trustee meeting, with decisions in 6–8 weeks. It excludes statutory agencies, deficit funding, and activities without public benefit, distinguishing itself through asset-based independence, scale of local health/welfare giving, and responsive support for evolving community needs without rigid themes.