Edward Gostling Foundation
Could Edward Gostling Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- Up to £250,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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edwardgostlingfoundation.org.ukAbout Edward Gostling Foundation
The Edward Gostling Foundation is a grant-maker that seeks to enhance quality of life for people facing physical or mental disabilities, long-term illnesses, poverty, or significant disadvantage, especially those on low incomes. Established in 1994, it was previously known as the ACT Foundation and Airways Charitable Trust. Its ethos centres on tangible improvements in wellbeing, independence, and inclusion, guided by themes of health and wellbeing, independent living at home, respite for carers, and transition, such as from education to employment. The foundation supports frontline UK charities delivering direct, needs-led services and prioritises impact, sustainability, and partnerships. It operates a Capital Grants Programme focused on major building and infrastructure projects.
What Edward Gostling Foundation funds
The foundation funds capital projects, defined as the construction and fitting out of new buildings and/or extensions to existing buildings. These projects typically relate to causes such as disability, health, and poverty, and may include accessibility enhancements, residential provisions, respite facilities, or transition support. Work must align with the foundation's themes of improving wellbeing, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities, long-term illnesses, or those on low incomes. The foundation supports charities across the UK, with no geographic restrictions on where projects can be located.
Who can apply
Only UK-registered charities that are regulated by a UK Charity Commission and have been operating for at least three years are eligible to apply. There are no income thresholds or size restrictions. The foundation prioritises charities delivering direct, frontline services that benefit people with physical or mental disabilities, long-term illnesses, poverty, or significant disadvantage. Unsolicited applications are welcomed. There is no religious restriction on applicants.
What Edward Gostling Foundation doesn't fund
The foundation does not fund research, medical treatment, awareness campaigns, core or revenue costs, political or religious activities, or statutory duties unless these are locally justified. Capital projects must have planning consent and, if necessary, listed building consent already granted before an application is accepted. Standalone equipment purchases or projects not involving construction or extensions are also excluded.
How they like to fund
Grants are awarded as one-off capital funding for major projects, with a recommended requirement that applicants have at least 50% of the project’s total funding already secured before applying. The foundation co-funds projects and does not cover full costs. It welcomes unsolicited applications and works in partnership with charities. Multi-year or revenue funding is not offered.
How much does Edward Gostling Foundation give?
Edward Gostling Foundation runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 15 sourced facts
- Online portal
- Decisions in ~13 weeks
- Match funding required
- Online application form
- 6 rounds a year
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Edward Gostling Foundation funds — and what they won't
The full exclusions list (1)
- We only accept applications where planning consent has already been granted and, if necessary, listed building consent.
Good to know
How to apply to Edward Gostling Foundation
Edward Gostling Foundation takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online portal.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Edward Gostling Foundation's application asks
We hold the 11 questions from Edward Gostling Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“1. About Your Charity Provide a brief summary of the work you do, including who you help, the impact on them and how this fits with EGF’s Vision and enables one or more of our ‘4 life themes’ to be met. The paragraph should be clear and concise and should avoid the use of too many statistics, many of which we will know already.”
“2. Summary Of Work to be Funded We need to know what you are seeking funding for, including the total cost of the work, the shortfall and the amount of funding you are seeking from EGF. You should include information on how the project meets our commitment to build sustainable capacity and transform lives. Tell us why you have decided the work is needed, the impact you want it to achieve and why you need to achieve it.”
9 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Edward Gostling Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Edward Gostling Foundation provide?
Edward Gostling Foundation runs 2 grant programmes — Capital Grants Programme: Up to £250,000 · Small Grants Programme: Up to £5,000.
Where does Edward Gostling Foundation fund charities?
Edward Gostling Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Edward Gostling Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Edward Gostling Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Edward Gostling Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: We only accept applications where planning consent has already been granted and, if necessary, listed building consent.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Edward Gostling Foundation?
Edward Gostling Foundation takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online portal.
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Could Edward Gostling Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.