Gurney Charitable Trust
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- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- As needed
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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gurneycharitable.wixsite.comAbout Gurney Charitable Trust
The Gurney Charitable Trust is a family-led grant-giving charity established in 1990 by Dr M J T Gurney and family under a Declaration of Trust. Managed by family trustees to preserve the founder's ethos, the Trust is dedicated to advancing public benefit through discretionary financial donations to charitable purposes. Its core values emphasise responsible stewardship, transparency, and responsive giving aligned with contemporary needs. The Trust operates as a generalist funder, sustaining annual distributions from investment income without rigid thematic or sectoral restrictions beyond charity law requirements. It supports a broad spectrum of charitable activities, including project funding, core costs, and general donations to registered charities demonstrating need and impact within its geographic priorities. Distinctive for its family continuity and regional exclusivity, the Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, instead awarding grants at trustees' discretion to organisations identified through their networks.
What Gurney Charitable Trust funds
The Trust supports a wide range of charitable activities across its geographic focus areas: Sussex, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, and the northern Lake District. As a generalist funder, it has no prescribed cause areas, allowing flexibility to respond to diverse needs within these regions. Funding can cover project costs, core costs, and general donations, enabling both specific initiatives and ongoing operational support. The Trust works with organisations of varying sizes, from small grassroots groups to larger institutions, all of which must demonstrate need and impact within the priority regions. While no specific themes are emphasised, the Trust's broad approach means it can support everything from community projects to environmental work, depending on the trustees' discretion.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are UK registered charities and community groups operating within the Trust's geographic priorities: Sussex, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, and the northern Lake District. There are no income thresholds, size limits, or religious restrictions, making the Trust accessible to a wide range of organisations. The Trust does not specify particular beneficiary groups, instead considering any charitable purpose that aligns with its values and regional focus. Organisations must demonstrate need and impact to be considered. However, the Trust does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion to organisations identified through their networks.
What Gurney Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund activities outside the scope of UK charity law, as it is restricted to advancing public benefit through charitable purposes. It also does not support organisations based outside its four priority regions: Sussex, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, and the northern Lake District. Non-registered charities and individuals are not eligible for funding. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, so organisations cannot apply directly; instead, they must be identified by the trustees.
How they like to fund
The Trust provides discretionary grants for project costs, core costs, and general donations. It does not accept unsolicited applications; instead, the trustees identify and approach organisations through their networks. Grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion, allowing flexibility in response to contemporary needs.
How much does Gurney Charitable Trust give?
Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Gurney Charitable Trust’s current criteria to your charity — so you know if it’s worth applying.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Gurney Charitable Trust
Gurney Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically as needed.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Gurney Charitable Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Gurney Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Gurney Charitable Trust provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Gurney Charitable Trust directly for current funding levels.
Where does Gurney Charitable Trust fund charities?
Gurney Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Gurney Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Gurney Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Gurney Charitable Trust?
Gurney Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
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