The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund

Charity Number: 262334

Annual Expenditure: £2.6M
Geographic Focus: Isle Of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,646,214 (2023)
  • Number of Grants Awarded: 241 grants (2023)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months for General Grants; 1 month for Small Grants
  • Grant Range: £250 - no upper limit stated
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man)
  • Application Method: Online application form only

Contact Details

  • Website: www.bailythomas.org.uk
  • Email: info@bailythomas.org.uk
  • Phone: 01582 439225
  • Address: Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH

Overview

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund was established in 1970 under the authority of the Court of Protection on behalf of Frank Bruce Baily Thomas, who had learning disabilities. The fund began with approximately £780,000 in shares and grew significantly in 1999 when the Mansfield Brewery was acquired, providing the charity with approximately £73 million in cash and shares. Since 2001, the Trustees' sole funding priority has been learning disability. The fund distributes over £2.5 million annually across approximately 240 grants, with the vast majority of grants below £10,000. The charity supports both research into learning disabilities (including autism) and projects that provide care and relief to those affected by learning disabilities, serving children and adults throughout the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Small Grant Programme: Up to £5,000

  • For appeals below £9,000
  • Rolling applications accepted at any time
  • Considered monthly by the Chair of Trustees
  • Faster turnaround (approximately 1 month)

General Grant Programme: £9,000 and above

  • For larger appeals
  • Fixed deadlines throughout the year
  • Considered at Trustee meetings held in March, June, and November
  • Typical timeline of 3-4 months from deadline to decision

Research Grant Programme

  • Supports initiation of research into learning disabilities (including autism)
  • Helps develop sufficient data to support applications to major funding bodies
  • Includes Research Grants and Doctoral Fellowship opportunities

Priority Areas

The fund supports a wide range of projects benefiting people with learning disabilities:

  • Capital projects: Building works, renovation, refurbishment for residential care, nursing and respite care facilities, and schools
  • Equipment: Snoezelen rooms and specialized equipment
  • Services: Employment schemes (woodwork, crafts, printing, horticulture), play schemes and play therapy, social activities
  • Support: Family support including respite schemes, support for independent living
  • Core costs: General running and core organizational costs (not limited to project funding)

Grants are available for both capital and revenue costs, specific projects, and general running/core costs.

What They Don't Fund

  • Mental illness without co-occurring learning disabilities
  • Dyslexia alone (without learning disabilities)
  • Dyspraxia alone (without learning disabilities)
  • ADHD alone (without learning disabilities)
  • Autism alone (without co-occurring learning disabilities)

Important Definition: The fund considers learning disability to mean global intellectual impairment (IQ less than 70) with need for support/help to fulfill ordinary daily activities. This is typically referred to as severe learning difficulties.

Ineligible Organisations:

  • Community Interest Companies (CICs) are not currently eligible
  • Non-registered charities (except exempt charities like universities, schools, PTAs, and Community Benefit Societies)
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Governance and Leadership

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet three times annually to consider grant applications. The fund also utilizes voluntary Grant Assessors to support grant-making activities.

Key Personnel:

  • Suzanne (Chair of Trustees): Private client partner and Notary Public at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in London. Specializes in mental capacity, Court of Protection work, wills, probate, charitable and private trusts, and tax planning. The Chair considers Small Grant applications between full Board meetings.
  • Jonathan (Trustee): Investment director at Schroders in London with 25 years of investment industry experience.
  • Angela (Research Committee): Sits on the Research Committee with extensive experience in intellectual disabilities and mental health research.

The trustees bring expertise in legal matters, investment management, and learning disability research, ensuring both financial stewardship and mission-focused decision-making.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application form only via the fund's website (bailythomas.org.uk)

  • Handwritten applications are not accepted and will be returned
  • Applications must be submitted through the online portal

References Required: Two references must be provided

  • References should be submitted in a timely manner
  • Delayed references may result in the application being held to the next scheduled meeting

Decision Timeline

Small Grants (under £9,000):

  • Rolling basis—apply at any time
  • Considered monthly (or as demand requires) by the Chair of Trustees
  • Typical decision time: approximately 1 month
  • Applicants notified in writing of the outcome

General Grants (£9,000 and above):

  • Three deadlines annually (typically 1 March, 1 August, 1 December)
  • Trustee meetings held in March, June, and November
  • Typical decision time: 3-4 months from deadline to decision
  • Late submissions not permitted

Important: Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible rather than waiting until the deadline.

Success Rates

In the year ending 30 September 2023, the fund awarded 241 grants totaling £2,646,214. While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the fund distributes over £2.5 million annually with the vast majority of grants below £10,000, suggesting a reasonable success rate for well-aligned applications.

Reapplication Policy

After Unsuccessful Application: Wait 1 year before reapplying

After Successful Application: Wait 2 years before submitting a new application

Exception: The waiting period policy does not apply to recipients of Research Grants Programme funding.

Additional Restriction: The Trustees will not consider more than one application from an organization at any single meeting.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

Be Clear About Learning Disabilities: “In your application, you should be clear whether you include people with learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities) in your service/project, and if your service uses terms outside the remit, state the approximate proportion or number who additionally have learning disabilities.”

Submit Early: The fund explicitly encourages applicants to submit applications “as soon as you are able, rather than waiting for the deadline.”

Ensure Complete Applications: Make sure both references are submitted promptly to avoid delays in consideration.

Types of Projects Funded

Recent grants have supported:

  • Building improvements for residential and care facilities (e.g., £20,000 for Stanley Grange building improvements)
  • Employment schemes in woodwork, crafts, printing, and horticulture
  • Play therapy and play schemes
  • Snoezelen rooms for sensory stimulation
  • Social activities and independent living support
  • Family respite schemes

Key Terminology

The fund uses specific terminology that applicants should understand and use appropriately:

  • Learning disability (intellectual disabilities)—not learning difficulties
  • Severe learning difficulties—global intellectual impairment (IQ <70)
  • Autism (only when accompanied by learning disabilities)
  • Focus on care and relief of those affected

Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate direct impact on people with learning disabilities: Be specific about who will benefit and how
  2. Show clear alignment with eligibility criteria: Don't apply if your service primarily serves autism, ADHD, dyslexia without learning disabilities
  3. Provide comprehensive information: Include proportion/numbers of beneficiaries with learning disabilities if serving mixed populations
  4. Consider all cost types: The fund supports capital, revenue, project, and core costs—don't self-limit
  5. Apply to the right programme: Small grants get faster decisions; don't inflate requests unnecessarily

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Tight focus required: Only applications serving people with learning disabilities (IQ <70) and/or autism with co-occurring learning disabilities will be considered. Mental illness, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or ADHD alone are excluded.
  • Most grants are small: The vast majority of the 241 annual grants are below £10,000. Small grants (under £9,000) benefit from rolling applications and monthly decisions.
  • Core costs are welcome: Unlike many funders, Baily Thomas explicitly accepts applications for general running and core costs, not just projects.
  • Apply early and online only: Submit applications as soon as ready rather than waiting for deadlines. Handwritten applications are rejected. Ensure references are submitted promptly.
  • Timing matters: For general grants, allow 3-4 months from deadline to decision. Small grants typically decided within 1 month. Plan accordingly.
  • Reapplication is possible: Unlike some funders who permanently reject, unsuccessful applicants can reapply after just 1 year (successful applicants wait 2 years).
  • Be specific about beneficiaries: Clearly articulate the proportion or number of beneficiaries with learning disabilities if serving mixed populations. Vague descriptions may lead to rejection.

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References