Old Colstonian Charitable Trust
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- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Old Colstonian Charitable Trust
The Old Colstonian Charitable Trust was established in 1993 by the Old Colstonian Society, the alumni body of Collegiate School in Bristol, using proceeds from the sale of the society's sports ground. Its mission is to advance education by providing means-tested bursaries and grants that enable financially disadvantaged children and young people from Bristol and Gloucestershire to access or remain at the school, widening public benefit through high-quality education. The Trust is deeply tied to the school's alumni community and emphasises procedural fairness, financial hardship assessment, and direct support for prospective and current pupils. It overwhelmingly funds individual bursaries covering school fees, with rare supplementary grants for school-connected activities.
What Old Colstonian Charitable Trust funds
The Trust funds education through means-tested bursaries that cover school fees at Collegiate School in Bristol. These awards are intended for financially disadvantaged children and young people from Bristol and Gloucestershire. Very rarely, supplementary grants support school-connected educational activities, but no broader initiatives are funded. The Trust's focus is exclusively on widening access to high-quality education at this one independent school, reflecting its alumni community roots.
Who can apply
Eligibility is limited to families of Collegiate School applicants or current pupils who can demonstrate financial need through the school's admissions process. No organisations outside the school community qualify. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications; prospective recipients must apply through the school's bursary process. There are no income thresholds or entity restrictions beyond this narrow focus on the school community.
What Old Colstonian Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The Trust excludes all funding unrelated to Collegiate School bursaries, such as general charities, projects, core costs, or activities beyond Bristol and Gloucestershire. No broader educational initiatives, capital costs, or other causes are supported.
How they like to fund
The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is provided through the school's bursary process, with trustees exercising full discretion based on financial hardship assessment. The Trust primarily makes individual bursary awards, with rare supplementary grants for school-connected activities.
How much does Old Colstonian Charitable Trust give?
Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Old Colstonian 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 Old Colstonian Charitable Trust
Old Colstonian 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 once per year.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Old Colstonian 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 Old Colstonian Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Old Colstonian Charitable Trust provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Old Colstonian Charitable Trust directly for current funding levels.
Where does Old Colstonian Charitable Trust fund charities?
Old Colstonian Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Old Colstonian Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Old Colstonian Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Old Colstonian Charitable Trust?
Old Colstonian 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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