The Dodgson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £168,647 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex
• Target Beneficiaries: People aged 55+
• Application Timeline: Review begins in January for grants starting April
• Founded: 1989 (re-registered as CIO in 2020)

Contact Details

• Website: www.dodgson.org.uk
• Email: gerald.wicks@btinternet.com
• Phone: 07941947161
• Charity Number: 1187598
• Address: Operates in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, and West Sussex

Overview

The Dodgson Foundation was established in 1989 following a generous initial donation from local business people Derek and Eileen Dodgson. Re-registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in January 2020, the foundation focuses exclusively on improving the wellbeing of older residents in Brighton & Hove and the wider Sussex area. With an annual expenditure of £168,647 (2024), the foundation makes grants to both local charities and individuals through social services referrals. The trustees manage the foundation's capital to generate sufficient income for annual grant-making activities, supporting organizations that address the financial, health, and social disadvantages faced by older people. The foundation is particularly conscious of deteriorating mental health due to isolation among its beneficiary group. The trustees describe themselves as “quite flexible where we perceive there is a need,” reviewing their supported charities annually to ensure alignment with changing social and economic needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two main grant streams:

• Annual Grants to Charities: The foundation supports a portfolio of local charities working with older people, reviewed annually. Amounts vary based on organizational needs and the foundation's assessment of impact.

• Individual Grants via Social Services: Applications from social services for individuals whose needs align with the foundation's charitable objectives, specifically for people aged 55+ experiencing hardship.

Priority Areas

• Projects aimed at people over 55 living in deprivation anywhere in Sussex
• Organizations addressing financial disadvantages affecting older people
• Health-related support for the 55+ age group
• Social isolation and mental health support for older residents
• Services supporting those who lack capacity to act for themselves
• Helping children/young people and people with disabilities (secondary focus areas)

Geographic Focus

• Primary: Brighton & Hove
• Extended: East Sussex and West Sussex

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed, but the foundation's focus is clearly limited to:

• Geographic area (Sussex region)
• Age group (primarily 55+)
• Local community benefit

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (6 members)

• Georgina Reed - Chair
• Caroline Maria Frazer
• Robert James Overton-Hart
• Christopher Clive Kempster Butler
• David John Standing
• Robert Edward Griffiths

The foundation operates with no paid employees receiving benefits over £60,000, and trustees receive no remuneration. All trustees serve on a voluntary basis. The foundation maintains policies on financial controls, risk management, and conflicts of interest, and owns or leases land or property.

Gerald Wicks serves as the contact person for the foundation and can be reached for inquiries about grant applications.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Dodgson Foundation operates a proactive approach to grant-making. The trustees write to charities they currently support around January each year, inviting them to complete an application form for the funding cycle that begins in April.

For organizations not currently in the foundation's portfolio:

• Direct contact with Gerald Wicks (gerald.wicks@btinternet.com or 07941947161) is recommended
• The foundation reviews its supported charities annually and may be open to new applicants that align with their objectives
• Individual applications are processed through social services rather than direct applications

The foundation's charitable object gives trustees “absolute discretion” in making donations to charitable institutions or individuals, suggesting flexibility in considering new applications.

Decision Timeline

• Review period: January
• Funding cycle begins: April (aligned with financial year)
• Annual review: The trustees meet annually to consider their grants programme

Application Success Factors

The foundation's approach to grant-making emphasizes:

1. Local presence and impact: The foundation prioritizes organizations working directly in Brighton & Hove and the wider Sussex area

1. Focus on older people: Projects must clearly benefit people aged over 55, particularly those experiencing deprivation

1. Addressing multiple disadvantages: The trustees are conscious of the intersection of financial, health, and social challenges affecting older people

1. Mental health and isolation: The foundation is “particularly aware of the adverse effect of deteriorating mental health due to isolation” - applications addressing this are likely to resonate

1. Flexibility based on need: The trustees state they are “quite flexible where we perceive there is a need,” suggesting responsiveness to compelling cases of need rather than rigid criteria

1. Responsiveness to changing needs: Supported charities are reviewed annually “in the light of changing social and economic needs,” indicating the foundation adapts its priorities based on current community circumstances

1. Long-term relationships: The foundation has been “supporting a number of local charities for a number of years,” suggesting they value ongoing relationships with effective organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Age specificity is critical: The foundation's focus on 55+ is central to its mission - ensure your project clearly benefits this age group
• Emphasize local impact: Being based in or serving Brighton & Hove and Sussex is essential for consideration
• Address isolation and mental health: Given the trustees' particular concern about deteriorating mental health due to isolation, projects addressing this issue are likely to be well-received
• Build relationships before applying: The foundation's proactive approach (writing to charities they know) suggests relationship-building is important - contact Gerald Wicks to introduce your organization
• Annual review cycle: If unsuccessful or not yet on their radar, remember that the portfolio is reviewed annually, providing fresh opportunities
• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness: The foundation values flexibility and responds to perceived need - show how your organization adapts to changing circumstances
• Multi-year potential: The foundation supports organizations for multiple years, so successful applicants may receive sustained funding

References

• The Dodgson Foundation website: https://dodgson.org.uk/
• The Dodgson Foundation - About Us: https://dodgson.org.uk/about-us/
• UK Charity Commission Register - The Dodgson Foundation (Charity No. 1187598): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5154620/full-print
• Community Works - Funding and Income resources referencing The Dodgson Foundation