Bedfordshire Charitable Trust Limited

Charity Number: 234329

Annual Expenditure: £1.2M
Geographic Focus: Bedford, Central Bedfordshire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £470,000 - £1,200,000 (varies significantly year to year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not specified (known grant: £800,000 to Bedford Hospital)
  • Geographic Focus: Bedford and Central Bedfordshire
  • Charity Number: 234329
  • Founded: 1964

Contact Details

Address: Ladyslaude Court, Bramley Way, Bedford, MK41 7FX

Phone: 01234 352840

Email: secretary@bedsct.co.uk

Website: Not available

Overview

Bedfordshire Charitable Trust Limited, formerly known as The Ibbett Trust, was founded in 1964 by Clifton Ibbett and his parents Claude and Gladys Ibbett. As a registered charity (234329) and company (00802236), the trust makes grants for charitable purposes with preference given to local community-based projects in Bedford and Central Bedfordshire. The charity's most recent accounts show total income of £349,555 and expenditure of £1,218,483, demonstrating significant grant-making activity. The trust's aims include “the advancement of health or saving of lives” and “education and training.” In 2021, following the death of founder Clifton Ibbett OBE, the trust made a landmark £800,000 donation to Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends for a CT scanner, resulting in the facility being named The Clifton Ibbett Suite.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a general grant-making program for charitable purposes. Specific grant amounts and program details are not publicly available, though the trust has demonstrated capacity for both small community grants and major donations (such as the £800,000 hospital grant).

Application Method: Not publicly specified - contact required

Priority Areas

Based on Charity Commission records and documented grants, the trust supports:

  • Health and saving lives: Major focus area, evidenced by significant hospital donation
  • Education and training: Core charitable aim
  • Children and young people: Registered area of support
  • Elderly people: Registered area of support
  • People with disabilities: Registered area of support
  • Other charities and voluntary bodies: Supporting the wider charitable sector
  • Local community-based projects: Stated preference in Bedford and Central Bedfordshire

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Contact the trust directly for guidance on eligible activities.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration or benefits from the charity. Current trustees include:

  • Margaret Ibbett (Company Director, appointed 2018) - Widow of founder Clifton Ibbett OBE
  • Dr. Vicki Anita Ibbett (Doctor, appointed 2021)
  • Peter John Ibbett (Company Director, appointed 2021)
  • Christina Beddoes (Chartered Accountant & Chartered Tax Adviser, appointed 2018)
  • Christopher Kilroy (Director, appointed 2018)
  • Mark Thompson (Solicitor, appointed 2020)

The Ibbett family maintains strong governance involvement, continuing the legacy of founder Clifton Ibbett OBE, who passed away in May 2021. According to Margaret Ibbett, the trust's work “recognises the genuine love Clifton had for Bedfordshire and its people.”

The charity operates with no employees receiving benefits over £60,000 and maintains a focused trustee-led approach to grant-making.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Specific application procedures are not publicly available. Prospective applicants should contact the trust directly:

  • Email: secretary@bedsct.co.uk
  • Phone: 01234 352840
  • Address: Ladyslaude Court, Bramley Way, Bedford, MK41 7FX

The trust has demonstrated a proactive approach to identifying grant opportunities, with trustees visiting potential beneficiaries (such as their site visit to Bedford Hospital A&E department before making their major donation).

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Contact the trust directly for information on application timelines and decision-making processes.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available. Contact the trust directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented activities and charitable aims:

  • Local connection is essential: The trust shows clear preference for projects in Bedford and Central Bedfordshire, with stated focus on benefiting “Bedfordshire and its people”
  • Alignment with core aims: Projects should align with “advancement of health or saving of lives” and “education and training” - the trust's stated priority areas
  • Community impact: The trust favors “local community-based projects” with demonstrable benefit to residents
  • Relationship building: The trust has shown willingness to engage directly with potential beneficiaries (e.g., meeting with hospital executives and visiting facilities)
  • Clear charitable purpose: As a trust dedicated to “granting donations for charitable purposes,” applications should demonstrate clear charitable benefit
  • Supporting other charities: The trust explicitly supports “other charities or voluntary bodies,” making it potentially accessible for registered charities and voluntary organizations

Recent Grant Example: The £800,000 grant to Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends demonstrates the trust's capacity for major donations to health-related causes with significant community impact and a connection to the trust's founders.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact directly: With limited public information, direct contact with the trust is essential to understand current priorities and application processes
  • Emphasize local impact: Strong preference for Bedford and Central Bedfordshire projects - clearly demonstrate local benefit
  • Focus on health or education: These are explicitly stated priority areas in the trust's charitable aims
  • Consider capacity for major grants: The trust has demonstrated ability to make substantial donations (£800,000+) alongside smaller community grants
  • Build relationships: The trust has shown preference for direct engagement with beneficiaries before making funding decisions
  • Target charitable organizations: The trust specifically supports other charities and voluntary bodies
  • Demonstrate community connection: Frame applications around benefit to “Bedfordshire and its people” - the trust's core mission

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