Gordon Memorial College At Khartoum Trust Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £106,096 (2024)
• Success Rate: 25% (individual grants)
• Decision Time: 2 months (applications close February, decisions in April)
• Grant Range: Individual grants rarely exceed £7,000; maximum £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Sudan and South Sudan

Contact Details

• Website: www.gmctf.org
• Email: secretary@gmctf.org
• Phone: 01243 552323
• Trust Secretary: Joanne Anderson

Overview

The Gordon Memorial College at Khartoum Trust Fund (GMCTF) is a UK registered charity (No. 314141) established in 1899 following the death of General Charles George Gordon. With over 125 years of continuous operation, the Trust promotes education for people from Sudan and South Sudan through targeted grant-making. Originally funding the construction of Gordon Memorial College (now the University of Khartoum), the Trust has evolved to provide both individual scholarships and organizational grants. In 2024, the Trust distributed £106,096 in grants, supporting postgraduate students and 1-3 organizations annually. Due to a major charitable gift, individual grants are currently restricted to women applicants only, focusing on those pursuing diplomas, masters, doctoral courses, or short training programs who intend to return to Sudan or South Sudan after completion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Individual Scholarships: Up to £10,000 (average significantly less than £7,000) - Gap funding for postgraduate women students from Sudan/South Sudan studying in UK or neighboring countries. Applications accepted annually with February deadline.
• Organizational Grants: Variable amounts - Supporting 1-3 organizations per year that provide educational initiatives for Sudanese/South Sudanese students, particularly those displaced from Sudan.

Priority Areas

• Higher education for women from Sudan and South Sudan
• Postgraduate studies that build skills base for Sudan/South Sudan
• Support for university students displaced from Sudan
• Educational initiatives in Sudan or neighboring countries
• Training programs that contribute to professional development

What They Don't Fund

• Individual grants to men (currently due to donor restrictions)
• Applications requesting over £10,000 for individuals
• Undergraduate studies
• Students without minimum GPA of 3.3/4.0 or upper second class degree
• Applicants without adequate English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL required)
• Applications without two referee letters
• Students who don't intend to return to Sudan/South Sudan

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust operates with three trustees and four committee members, all serving voluntarily:

Trustees:

• Professor Justin Willis (Chair) - Professor of Modern African History, University of Durham
• Robert Cunningham - Chartered accountant with banking experience
• Peter Newman - Retired consultant neurologist, former Royal College of Physicians Associate International Director (Africa)

Committee Members:

• Joanne Anderson (Trust Secretary since 2023) - Voluntary sector consultant
• Dr. Eluzai Hakim - Retired consultant physician, founder of South Sudan Medical Journal
• Terry Martin - Retired lecturer, University of Southampton
• Joanna Oyediran - Independent researcher, formerly Open Society Foundations

The Trust emphasizes that no trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits, operating entirely through volunteer effort with 5 regular volunteers and no paid employees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Individual applications are submitted through the GMCTF website (www.gmctf.org) with detailed guidance provided on the individual applicants page. Organizations should contact the Trust Secretary directly at secretary@gmctf.org to discuss potential support.

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: 27th February annually
• Decision Notification: April (approximately 2 months after deadline)
• Course Start: Following autumn term
• Notification Method: Direct communication to applicants

Success Rates

Approximately 25% of individual applications are successful, indicating strong competition for limited funds. The Trust notes they receive many more worthy applications than they can fund.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not explicitly prohibit reapplication, but emphasizes that funds are limited and competition is high. Unsuccessful applicants should significantly strengthen their application before resubmitting.

Application Success Factors

Based on GMCTF's specific guidance:

Financial Clarity is Critical: The Trust explicitly states they need to understand exactly what amount is required and what it will pay for. Successful applications provide detailed breakdowns of all funding sources including own resources, employment income, university bursaries, and other grants.

Focus on Impact: GMCTF specifically looks for clear explanations of why applicants chose their particular course and how they will contribute to Sudan/South Sudan's skills base upon return. Generic statements about helping the community are insufficient.

Understanding Gap Funding Model: The Trust emphasizes they provide gap funding for those who already have other resources but face shortfalls. Applications requesting full course funding are unlikely to succeed - successful applicants typically demonstrate they have secured most funding elsewhere.

Referee Letters Are Non-Negotiable: The Trust will not consider applications without two referee letters. This is the applicant's responsibility and missing references result in automatic ineligibility.

Realistic Funding Requests: With average grants significantly less than £7,000 and automatic rejection for requests over £10,000, successful applicants align their requests with the Trust's capacity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Gender Restriction Currently in Place: Individual grants are only available to women due to donor terms - this is non-negotiable for the current funding cycle
• Gap Funding Philosophy: Position applications as supplementary funding rather than primary support - demonstrate other secured resources
• Small but Strategic Awards: Average grants are under £7,000; frame requests accordingly and focus on high-impact use of limited funds
• Return Commitment Essential: Clearly articulate specific plans for contributing to Sudan/South Sudan post-study - vague intentions insufficient
• Limited Organizational Funding: With only 1-3 organizations funded annually, organizational applicants face extremely high competition
• Volunteer-Run Operation: Recognize the Trust operates entirely through volunteers - keep communications concise and well-organized
• February Deadline is Fixed: Annual cycle with single application window - missing the deadline means waiting a full year

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Viquaran Nisa Noon and Firoz Khan Noon Educational Foundation
• WISPERS TRUST LIMITED
• Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent
• Sir William Boreman's Foundation
• The Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation
• ST OLAVE'S & ST SAVIOUR'S SCHOOLS FOUNDATION CIO
• THE HILDEN CHARITABLE FUND
• Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement
• David and Elaine Potter Foundation
• Kans and Kandy (Wholesale) Charitable Trust

References

• Gordon Memorial College at Khartoum Trust Fund Official Website (www.gmctf.org) - Main pages, Individual Applicants section, Organisations section, FAQs, Trustees and Committee information.
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 314141, Financial information and governance details.
• South Sudan Medical Journal - Articles mentioning GMCTF support and Dr. Eluzai Hakim's involvement.
• European Funding Guide - GMCTF scholarship listing and application guidance.