The Edward Gostling Foundation

Charity Number: 1068617

Annual Expenditure: £15.3M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.edwardgostlingfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 01753 753900

Email: info@edwardgostling.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £14.7M (2023/24 charitable expenditure)
  • Success Rate: Not published
  • Decision Time: 90 days (historical Capital Grants Programme)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £250,000 (historical programs - now closed to open applications)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide
  • Current Status: Closed to open applications - working exclusively with Legacy Partners

Contact Details

Website: www.edwardgostlingfoundation.org.uk

Email: info@edwardgostling.org.uk

Phone: 01753 753900

Address: Windsor, Berkshire

Important Note: The Foundation closed all open grant programmes in December 2024 and now works exclusively with carefully chosen Legacy Partners.

Overview

The Edward Gostling Foundation registered as an independent charity in 1998 to implement founder Edward 'Ted' Gostling's vision “that people living on a low income who had a disability or long-term illness should have as many as possible of the same choices, quality of life opportunities and aspirations as others more fortunate than themselves.” Having awarded over £75M across 25 years, the Foundation adopted a transformative “spending out” strategy in 2021, committing to distribute £100M between April 2021 and March 2031, after which it will close operations by 2032. In the first four years of this strategy, they awarded over £48M. As of December 2024, the Foundation ceased accepting open applications and now focuses resources exclusively on selected Legacy Partners to help build their capacity and sustainability amid challenging economic conditions.

Funding Priorities

Historical Grant Programs (Now Closed)

Capital Grants Programme (Closed December 2024)

  • Grant Range: Up to £250,000 (trustees could award more for truly innovative projects)
  • Minimum Project Size: £1M total project cost
  • Application Method: Rolling basis, considered six times annually
  • Requirement: At least 50% of project funding secured before applying
  • Focus: Construction and fitting out of new buildings/extensions to create step change in care provision

Fast Track Grants (Status unclear)

  • Grant Range: Up to £5,000
  • Eligibility: Charities with annual income under £3M

Current Approach: Legacy Partners Program

The Foundation now provides core operating cost funding to carefully selected Legacy Partners whose work aligns with their four life themes. Partners receive transformational, multi-year support to build organizational capacity and sustainability.

The Four Life Themes

1. Health & Wellbeing

  • Information and guidance services
  • Clinical services and therapies
  • Counseling and early intervention
  • Support for independent hospices and care homes

2. Independent Living

  • Home accessibility modifications
  • Equipment to aid mobility
  • Communication support
  • Community facility access

3. Respite

  • Support for family caregivers
  • Leisure activities for caregivers and care recipients
  • Short break facilities
  • Social platforms for people in similar caregiving situations

4. Transition

  • Skills training for employment
  • Personal development coaching
  • Affordable housing and supported living
  • Day services teaching life skills
  • Vocational services and volunteering opportunities

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals or Community Interest Companies
  • Projects under £1M total cost (historical Capital programme)
  • 100% of total project costs (preferred consortium approach)
  • Statutory organisations including NHS hospitals, prisons, state-funded or independent schools
  • Further education institutions (except wholly for students with additional needs)
  • Community centres, youth clubs, leisure activities (except where main beneficiaries have disabilities, are elderly, have long-term illness, or are carers)
  • Campaigning, lobbying, or awareness-raising campaigns
  • Leasehold property (unless landlord approval granted and unexpired lease term exceeds 50 years post-completion)
  • Building alterations without planning permission/listed building consent in place

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Denis Taylor

Trustees: 7

Staff: 8 employees

Leadership Perspective - Denis Taylor, Chair:

On supporting Thames Hospice: “We have watched Thames Hospice grow over the years to meet demand and feel proud to have supported them on their journey. When their CEO, Catherine McLaughlin and Medical Director Dr Nick Dando came to see us last year we were impressed with their vision. Demand for local hospice care will significantly rise over the next 10 years and the Foundation wants to be part of the solution to enable more people to be cared for at home, reducing pressure on the hospice and hospitals and giving people choice.”

On supporting Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice (£1.5M donation): "We were delighted to fund vital facilities in the new Hospice such as the Education & Training suite."

Application Process & Timeline

Current Status

The Foundation is not accepting open applications. All grant programmes closed in December 2024. The Foundation now works exclusively with invited Legacy Partners.

Historical Application Process (For Reference)

Capital Grants Programme:

  • Eligibility: UK-registered charities regulated by Charity Commission for at least 3 years (any size)
  • Method: Online submission via custom Word document following prescribed format
  • Timing: Rolling applications considered six times annually
  • Decision Timeline: 90 days from submission
  • Key Requirement: 50% of project funding secured before application

Application Format:

  • Free-form Word document following guidance template headings
  • Comprehensive due diligence documentation required
  • Clear articulation of financial implications on future income and costs

Success Rates

Not published. The Foundation noted they received large volumes of applications and could not support everything.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials. The Foundation stated they were unable to enter into communication about why applications were unsuccessful due to application volumes.

Application Success Factors

Historical Insights (When Programs Were Open)

Strategic Alignment:

  • Projects demonstrating “step change” in care provision
  • Innovation in service delivery
  • Building new capacity and promoting sustainability
  • Clear connection to one or more of the four life themes

Example Funded Projects:

  1. Paul's Place Hub - £125,000 for purpose-built accessible facility for disabled people offering social activities, wellbeing support, skills development, and volunteering opportunities
  1. Thames Hospice - Founding Lifetime Patron; funded Education and Learning Centre and hospice-at-home service expansion
  1. Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice - £1.5M for Education & Training suite in new hospice building
  1. Sebastian's Action Trust - Endowment for respite family breaks at The Bluebells for seriously ill children and families
  1. Regenerate - Endowment for youth charity working with young people aged 10-24 on estates in Roehampton and Putney

What Impressed the Foundation:

  • Long-term vision for meeting growing demand
  • Focus on enabling people to be cared for at home (reducing hospital pressure and increasing choice)
  • Educational and training components
  • Projects addressing capacity gaps for vulnerable populations

Financial Expectations:

  • Consortium approach preferred (multiple funders)
  • Foundation typically funded portion of total project cost, not entirety
  • Applicants needed 50% funding secured demonstrating wider support
  • Clear sustainability plan for ongoing operations post-capital investment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Current Reality:

  • The Foundation is closed to new applications - they work exclusively with selected Legacy Partners
  • Direct contact is required to explore any potential partnership opportunities
  • The Foundation is in “spending out” mode with planned closure by 2032

If Future Opportunities Arise:

  • Demonstrate transformational impact aligned with at least one of four life themes (Health & Wellbeing, Independent Living, Respite, Transition)
  • Focus on people living on low incomes with disabilities, long-term illness, elderly in need, or their carers
  • Emphasize innovation creating “step change” in care provision
  • Build strong funding consortia - securing 50% funding before applying was essential
  • Highlight capacity-building and sustainability beyond the capital investment
  • Articulate clear vision for meeting growing demand in your service area
  • Consider hospice care, respite services, and supported living as priority areas based on funding history
  • Demonstrate how your project increases choice and quality of life for beneficiaries

Relationship Building:

  • The Foundation valued long-term relationships (e.g., “watched Thames Hospice grow over the years”)
  • In-person presentations to trustees were part of the process for major grants
  • Legacy Partners were “carefully chosen” suggesting relationship and track record were critical

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References