Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust

The Trust supports work that addresses poverty and hardship, community development, and the needs of children, young people, and families. It funds project delivery and core costs, with a focus on smaller organisations delivering essential services at a local level to vulnerable and deprived people in Kent. The Brighter Futures programme prioritises organisations taking a 'whole family' approach, tackling root causes, consulting and involving their client group, working in deprived areas, with limited other income, and demonstrating collaborative working or matched funding. Through the Gate supports work with offenders and ex-offenders. All funding is ringfenced to benefit the Kent community.

Eligible organisations include registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), community interest companies (CICs), and other non-profit organisations. Applicants must be based in Kent and deliver services within Kent or Medway. The Community Fund is for smaller organisations with modest annual income. Priority is given to organisations working in deprived areas, with limited other income, and those that involve their client group. National charities without a physical base in Kent are unlikely to be successful. Statutory bodies, state-run nurseries, schools, and colleges are not eligible.

The Trust does not fund capital works, vehicles, buildings, endowment appeals, or retrospective costs. It also excludes events, academic research, scholarships or bursaries, and round-robin or widely circulated appeals. Applications from London Boroughs, even if formerly in Kent, are not supported. The Brighter Futures programme additionally excludes work with animals, faith-based activities, and medical research.

The Trust offers both one-off grants and multi-year funding, typically for up to three years. Grants can support core costs and project delivery. The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications and encourages collaborative working or matched funding. Any request should not constitute more than 50% of the organisation's annual turnover.