Allan And Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,062,669 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6 weeks for grants up to £50,000; bi-annual meetings for larger grants
• Grant Range: Up to £50,000+ (larger grants considered)
• Geographic Focus: UK and international (particularly developing countries)

Contact Details

Website: www.fergusontrust.co.uk

Email: letitia.glaister@teeslaw.com

Phone: 01279 755200

Note: The Trust explicitly states applicants should not contact them for guidance prior to making an application, as all required information is available on their website.

Overview

The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement was founded in 1977 (charity number 275487) and established as a trust in 1979 by John and Elnora Ferguson, son and daughter-in-law of Allan and Nesta. Since inception, the Trust has distributed nearly £60 million to charities working in the UK and overseas. The Trust's mission closely follows the Ferguson family's commitment to education, peace, and reducing poverty in developing countries. In 2022, the Trust awarded £1,062,669 in grants to UK registered charities and universities. The Settlement is predominantly a funder of educational projects with particular emphasis on supporting education in the UK and overseas, promoting peace through international friendship and understanding, and supporting sustainable progress in the developing world. All grants are project-based and must have an educational aim, element, or content.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small to Medium Grants (up to £50,000)

• Considered monthly on a rolling basis
• Response within 6 weeks of application
• Online application system

Large Grants (over £50,000)

• Considered bi-annually at trustee meetings in March and September
• Examples include £1 million to TESSA/Open University (2012), £40,000 to MSF UK (2022)

Matching Funding Structure:

• If applicant has raised 50% of budget: Trust will consider matching up to 50%
• If applicant has raised less than 50%: Trust will consider maximum 30% funding
• Evidence of actively seeking funds from other sources is beneficial

Priority Areas

1. Education: Projects supporting educational development in UK and developing countries
2. International Friendship and Understanding: Initiatives promoting peace through cross-cultural engagement
3. World Peace and Development: Programs addressing sustainable progress in developing countries
4. Poverty Reduction: Projects working to reduce poverty, particularly in developing nations

Recent funded projects include:

• Disability Africa: Ending exclusion of disabled children in Kenya (2024)
• Literacy Pirates: After-school learning program for disadvantaged children in London (£10,000, 2023)
• Médecins Sans Frontières UK: Leadership Education Academic Partnership programme (£40,000, 2022)
• University scholarships at Aston, Oxford, Loughborough, King's College London, and others

What They Don't Fund

• Core funding or organisational running costs
• Projects or activities that have already started (no retrospective funding)
• Construction of buildings in the UK
• Direct payments to individuals
• Gap year volunteers
• Individual students (funding only through university partnerships)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

1. Professor David John Banister - Trustee
2. Elizabeth Dawn Banister - Trustee (also trustee of The Haddenham Museum Trust)
3. Eleanor Marianne Banister - Trustee (appointed 29 April 2015)
4. Letitia Pamela Campbell Glaister - Trustee (appointed 11 October 2013; also serves as contact administrator at Tees Law)
5. Edmund Frederick Cairns - Trustee (appointed 13 June 2019)

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust is administered through Tees Law solicitors.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Application Method: Online application form only via www.fergusontrust.co.uk
• Application Requirements:
• Maximum 150-word project narrative explaining how the project fits Trust priorities
• Detailed budget and funding information
• Charity bank details
• Clear statement of total project cost and amount requested from Trust

• No Retrospective Funding: Can only accept applications for forthcoming projects
• Matching Funding Required: Must demonstrate fundraising efforts from other sources

Decision Timeline

For grants up to £50,000:

• Considered monthly by trustees
• Aim to respond within 6 weeks of receiving application
• Application acknowledged upon receipt

For grants over £50,000:

• Considered bi-annually at trustee meetings in March and September
• Longer decision timeline

Notification: No progress reports given during review. No feedback provided for unsuccessful applications.

Payment Method: Grants paid via bank transfer once approved.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed. In 2022, the Trust awarded £1,062,669 across multiple grants to charities and universities.

Reapplication Policy

For Successful Applicants: Organizations that receive a grant must wait 3 years before reapplying. The 3-year period begins from receipt of the grant (or final instalment if paid in stages).

For Unsuccessful Applicants: Must wait 6 months before reapplying.

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients must submit:

• Brief annual report OR project conclusion report
• Maximum 1,500 words
• Submitted via email

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

1. Strong Educational Component: All grants must have an educational aim, element, or content. The Trust is predominantly an education funder.

1. Matching Funding Demonstrated: Show evidence of active fundraising from other sources. Having raised 50% of your budget significantly increases the Trust's potential contribution (up to 50% vs. maximum 30%).

1. International Development Focus: Projects working in developing countries or promoting international understanding are strongly aligned with Trust priorities.

1. Innovation and Sustainability: The Trust seeks projects that demonstrate innovation and create long-term solutions, not just address immediate needs.

1. Feasibility and Impact: Applications evaluated on alignment with funding priorities, potential impact, and overall project feasibility.

Application Best Practices

• Be Concise: Project description limited to 150 words—make every word count
• Clear Budgeting: Provide detailed budget demonstrating financial accountability
• Demonstrate Professional Governance: Show effective governance and management practices ensuring responsible, transparent fund use
• Show Long-term Thinking: Emphasize sustainable outcomes beyond immediate project delivery
• Align Language: Use Trust terminology—education, peace, international friendship, sustainable development

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Requesting core/running costs (not funded)
• Applying for retrospective funding (not accepted)
• Insufficient matching funding (reduces maximum Trust contribution)
• Projects lacking clear educational element
• UK building construction projects (not funded)
• Vague or unfocused project objectives
• Poor financial planning or unrealistic budgets

Relationship Building

While the Trust states applicants should not contact them for pre-application guidance, establishing awareness of Trust priorities through thorough research and demonstrating clear alignment in applications is valuable. The Trust values professionalism and careful attention to detail in application materials.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Education is Essential: Every project must have a clear educational aim, element, or content. This is non-negotiable.

1. Matching Funding Matters: Secure 50% of your budget from other sources to maximize potential Trust contribution (up to 50% vs. 30%).

1. Be Future-Focused: No retrospective funding—only apply for projects that haven't started yet.

1. Size Your Ask Appropriately: Grants under £50,000 receive faster monthly decisions; larger grants face bi-annual review cycles (March/September).

1. Emphasize Long-term Impact: Show how your project creates sustainable solutions, not just short-term fixes. Innovation is valued.

1. Apply Once Funding is Active: Wait 6 months if unsuccessful; wait 3 years if you've received a previous grant before reapplying.

1. Professional Presentation: With a 150-word limit, polish your narrative to be clear, compelling, and aligned with Trust language around education, peace, international understanding, and development.

References

• Homepage: https://www.fergusontrust.co.uk/
• Charitable Organisations page: https://www.fergusontrust.co.uk/charitable-organisations/
• Grants to Charities page: https://www.fergusontrust.co.uk/grants-to-charities/
• Case Studies: https://www.fergusontrust.co.uk/case-studies/

• Charity overview: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/275487
• Trustees information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/275487/trustees
• Financial history: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/275487/financial-history

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council Funding Finder - Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement profile

• https://canoncollins.org/donors/the-allan-and-nesta-ferguson-charitable-trust/

• "A Guide to Obtaining Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Grants"
• "Strategies for Obtaining Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Funding"