Old Colstonian Charitable Trust

The Old Colstonian Charitable Trust, established in 1993 by the Old Colstonian Society—alumni of Collegiate School in Bristol—operates as a philanthropic vehicle funded by the sale of the society's sports ground. Its core mission is to advance education by providing means-tested bursaries and grants that enable financially needy children and young people from Bristol and Gloucestershire to access or remain at this independent school, maximizing public benefit through widened access to high-quality education. Deeply tied to the school's alumni community, the trust emphasizes procedural fairness, financial hardship assessment, and direct support for prospective and current pupils, with trustees exercising full discretion aligned to Charity Commission guidance.

It overwhelmingly funds individual bursaries covering school fees (typically 10-25% of annual costs, with exceptional higher awards), comprising over 99% of expenditure—such as more than £105,000 in 2022. Rare supplementary grants support school-connected educational activities, but not broader initiatives.

Eligibility is narrowly focused on families of Collegiate School applicants or pupils demonstrating financial need via the school's admissions process; no organizations outside the school community qualify, and there are no income thresholds or entity restrictions beyond this. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—prospective recipients must apply through the school's bursary process, tied to admissions cycles (e.g., 11+ or 16+ entry), with trustees reviewing annually but no public deadlines.

The trust excludes all funding unrelated to Collegiate School bursaries, such as general charities, projects, core costs, or activities beyond Bristol/Gloucestershire. Its distinctive, community-embedded focus on alumni-supported access to one specific school sets it apart from wider educational funders, prioritizing enduring ties over open philanthropy.