Forbes Charitable Foundation

The Forbes Charitable Foundation is a specialist UK grantmaker dedicated exclusively to enhancing the lives of adults with learning disabilities, by funding initiatives that build their technical, social, personal, and occupational skills. Rooted in values of equality, empowerment, and practical impact, it supports opportunities to combat exclusion, boost independence, and improve quality of life, guided by trustees with deep expertise in social care, learning disability organisations like Hft and Self Unlimited/CARE, and related fields. Its distinctive, unwavering focus on this underserved group sets it apart, prioritising measurable, long-term outcomes over short-term aid.

It funds a targeted range of activities for UK-registered charities, community interest companies (CICs), and individuals, including revenue programmes, capital projects, equipment, specialist technology, accessibility adaptations, travel, further education fees, and bespoke interventions like IT training, supported employment, social clubs, adapted holidays, and pathways to independence. Supported organisations include grassroots providers such as Sunflower House, Fitzroy, Camphill Village Trust, and Redwoods, with emphasis on supplementing statutory funding or enabling innovative pilots.

Eligible applicants must be UK-based charities or CICs (individuals also qualify), with a preference for small to medium-sized specialist providers serving adults with learning disabilities UK-wide—no regional, religious, or strict income restrictions apply. Typical grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 (smaller for individuals). Unsolicited applications are welcomed via a downloadable paper form submitted by post; annual decisions occur ahead of the April funding cycle, with the next round opening for 2027—check the website for exact deadlines two months prior. Core costs may be considered if beneficiary-linked; it avoids unrelated causes, favouring high-impact, sector-embedded projects.