The Dolphin Society
Charity Number: 203142
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £122,933 (2024 expenditure)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly specified
- Grant Range: Not publicly specified
- Geographic Focus: Bristol area (BS postcode) and adjoining local authority areas
Contact Details
Website: dolphinsociety.org.uk
Phone: 0117 929 9649
Email: enquiries@dolphinsociety.org.uk
Address: Bramford House, 23 Westfield Park, Bristol BS6 6LT
Overview
Established in 1749, The Dolphin Society is one of Bristol's oldest charities with an enduring track record of “seed philanthropy.” With annual income of approximately £161,948 (2024), the Society provides funds to trusted local partner organisations delivering services that enable disadvantaged older and disabled people in the Bristol area to live safely and independently in their own homes. The charity operates as a membership organization that raises funds through an annual presidential appeal and charitable donations. Their strategic approach focuses on using grants as leverage to prove concepts and encourage particularly effective innovations to be taken up by government locally and nationally.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Society funds organizations that support:
- Home adaptations through WE Care & Repair (walk-in showers, ramps, emergency heating repairs)
- Pendant alarms and telecare services for vulnerable individuals
- Outreach services for isolated elders
- Information and advice services for older people
- Projects addressing loneliness and social isolation
Priority Areas
- Supporting independence for older and disabled people
- Home safety and security improvements
- Reducing social isolation
- Emergency support for vulnerable individuals
- “Seed philanthropy” - innovative projects that can be scaled up
What They Don't Fund
- Individual grant applications (they fund organizations only)
- Projects outside the Bristol area (BS postcode)
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Governance and Leadership
President: Mike Beesley (President Elect for 2024)
Immediate Past President: Paul Brown
Honorary Treasurer: John Hollingdale
Honorary Secretary: John Davies
Administrator: Sean Hollinswaite
Trustees: Helen Moss OBE, David Pople, and others (7 trustees total)
The Society operates as a membership organization where members can be nominated to join within three years of joining, requiring approval from existing members.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Organizations supporting older and disabled people in the Bristol area (BS postcode) that need funding for projects fitting the Society's criteria should contact the Administrator directly via:
- Email: enquiries@dolphinsociety.org.uk
- Phone: 0117 929 9649
There is no formal online application portal or published application form.
Decision Timeline
Not publicly specified
Success Rates
Not publicly available
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly specified
Application Success Factors
Based on the Society's funding history and stated priorities:
- Projects must directly benefit older or disabled people in the Bristol area
- Strong preference for innovative “seed” projects that can be scaled
- Partnership approach valued - the Society works closely with other Bristol funders through the Bristol Older People's Funding Alliance (BOPFA)
- Track record of successful delivery important - they fund “trusted local partner organisations”
- Projects that enable independence and home-based living strongly favored
- The Society's most notable success was the “Home From Hospital” project, which became a national model
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The Dolphin Society does NOT fund individuals - only organizations
- Geographic restriction is strict - must serve Bristol area (BS postcode)
- They are part of BOPFA, suggesting collaborative funding opportunities
- Focus on “seed philanthropy” means they favor innovative, scalable projects
- Direct contact with Administrator is the only application route
- Strong track record with home adaptations and hospital discharge support
- Multi-year funding relationships are possible with successful partners
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- The Save the Children Fund
- Tearfund
- PROSTATE CANCER UK
- Barnabas Fund
- KIDNEY RESEARCH UK
- World Cancer Research Fund
- Tommy's
- Medical Research Foundation
- Breakthrough T1D UK (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Limited)
- Bone Cancer Research Trust
- WELLBEING OF WOMEN
- CHASDEI SHOLOM
- The Hill Foundation
- THE ROYAL MARSDEN CANCER CHARITY
- CAUDWELL CHILDREN
- ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA APPEAL LIMITED
- OXFORD HOSPITALS CHARITY
- CITY HARVEST
- Hospices of Hope Limited
- CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER CHARITY
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References
- The Dolphin Society official website (dolphinsociety.org.uk) -
- Charity Commission Register (charity number 203142) -
- “What we do” page, The Dolphin Society website -
- “About the Society” page, The Dolphin Society website -
- “How you can help” page, The Dolphin Society website -
- Bristol Older People's Funding Alliance (BOPFA) information -