The Forbes Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£289,000 (expenditure FY 2025)
• Total Distributed: Approximately £4 million since establishment
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £30,000 per year
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed on fixed cycle basis
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Eligible Turnover: £1m - £20m annual turnover

Contact Details

• Website: www.theforbescharitablefoundation.org
• Email: info@theforbescharitablefoundation.org
• Phone: 7749642664
• Postal Address: PO Box 59, Holsworthy, EX22 9BB

Overview

The Forbes Charitable Foundation (Registered Charity No. 326476) is a well-established UK grant-maker dedicated exclusively to supporting people with learning disabilities. Since its formation, the foundation has distributed approximately £4 million in grants to charities and community interest groups across the United Kingdom.

The foundation operates with a dual purpose: providing grants to organisations supporting people with learning disabilities, and accepting gifts and legacies from relatives who wish to provide ongoing financial support for their loved ones through a “Letter of Wishes” mechanism. This latter function offers families a simpler alternative to establishing complex trust arrangements.

With an annual income of approximately £277,000 and expenditure of £289,000 (FY ending April 2025), the foundation maintains a focused approach to grant-making, supporting 6-10 charities at any given time with multi-year funding commitments. Their current emphasis is on grants for individuals with mild to moderate learning disability support needs, with a particular interest in projects that enhance independence, social inclusion, and support for carers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Main Grants Programme

• Amount: Up to £30,000 per year
• Duration: One-off or up to 3 consecutive years (reviewed annually)
• Eligibility: UK registered charities or Community Interest Groups with annual turnover between £1m and £20m
• Application Method: Fixed deadline cycle; next round for April 2027 funding with applications due by 30 September 2026

Townsend Discretionary Fund (Small Grants)

• Amount: Up to £5,000 (one-off grants)
• Eligibility: Same criteria as main programme
• Application Method: Rolling basis via application form on website
• Note: Limited funds available each year

Priority Areas

The foundation awards grants to improve the technical, social, personal and occupational skills of people with learning disabilities through:

• Revenue programmes
• Capital development
• Specific items of equipment
• Personal needs of individuals

Current emphasis areas include:

• Projects enhancing independence
• Social inclusion initiatives
• Support for carers
• Employment pathways and work placements
• Skills training programmes

What They Don't Fund

Based on available information, the foundation has specific targeting criteria:

• Organisations with annual turnover below £1m or above £20m (for main grants)
• Projects not focused on learning disabilities
• The foundation does not raise funds from the public

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Governance and Leadership

The Forbes Charitable Foundation is governed by a board of 9 trustees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Current Trustees

1. John Maxwell Waite – Trustee (appointed 16 November 2000)
2. Ian Richards Johnson BA FCA – Trustee (appointed 16 November 2003)
3. Patrick Martin Wallace – Trustee (appointed 1 July 2015)
4. Helen Louise Johnson – Trustee (appointed 28 September 2015)
5. Mark Christopher Morris FCA – Trustee (appointed 8 April 2019)
6. Nigel Jeremy Doggett – Trustee (appointed 3 December 2019)
7. Claire Rintoul – Trustee (appointed 26 October 2021)
8. Julie Riley – Trustee (appointed 26 October 2021)
9. Bimal Kumar Saurabhkumar Patel – Trustee (appointed 19 January 2024)

Several trustees, including Nigel Jeremy Doggett, Ian Richards Johnson, and John Maxwell Waite, serve as trustees for additional charities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Main Grants Programme

• Your activities
• Geographical area covered
• Annual turnover

1. Address submissions to: Secretary to the Trustees, PO Box 59, Holsworthy, EX22 9BB

1. Review Process: Information is kept on file and reviewed when a new funding window opens

1. Formal Application: If shortlisted, you will be invited to complete the foundation's application form

1. Assessment: Selected applications may involve a site visit and assessment

1. Final Decision: Trustees meet to make final funding decisions

Townsend Discretionary Fund

• Download and complete the relevant form from the foundation's website
• Applications considered on a rolling basis subject to available funds

Decision Timeline

• Main Programme: Fixed cycle - current round for April 2027 start with applications due by 30 September 2026
• Small Grants: Rolling basis, subject to fund availability
• Multi-year grants: Reviewed annually

Reporting Requirements

Organisations selected for main grants are required to report regularly on progress and outcomes arising from the funding against agreed performance criteria.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Strong Alignment with Learning Disability Focus

• The foundation exclusively supports people with learning disabilities - ensure your project is clearly targeted at this beneficiary group
• Current emphasis is on individuals with mild to moderate needs

Employment and Independence Outcomes

Looking at recently funded projects, the foundation values programmes that provide:

• Work placements and pathways to employment (e.g., Tower Project JET Service providing six-month paid work placements)
• Skills training combining classroom and practical experience (e.g., Minstead Trust achieving ~50% sustained employment outcomes)
• Digital and technology skills development (e.g., BUILD Charity's iPad training programme)
• Social enterprises offering work experience (e.g., SNAP UP SUCCESS with horticulture, catering, and crafts)

Support for Carers and Families

Projects supporting carers and family advocacy are valued (e.g., Plymouth Parent Advocacy Project's work with parents who have learning disabilities)

Organisational Capacity

• Turnover of £1m-£20m signals established, well-managed organisations
• Ability to report on outcomes and progress is required

Multi-Year Planning

The foundation values enabling organisations to “plan ahead with some degree of certainty” - demonstrate how multi-year funding would strengthen your work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly specialised funder: Focus exclusively on learning disabilities - do not apply for projects outside this focus
• Mid-size charities only: Main grants require £1m-£20m annual turnover; smaller organisations should apply to the Townsend Discretionary Fund
• Long planning horizon: Next main grants round opens for April 2027 - plan well ahead
• Employment focus valued: Projects demonstrating pathways to work and independence have been successful
• Small grants available: The Townsend Discretionary Fund offers up to £5,000 on a rolling basis for eligible organisations
• Multi-year commitment: Grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to 3 years provide significant, stable funding
• Outcomes focus: Be prepared to report regularly on progress and demonstrate impact against agreed criteria
• Site visits likely: If shortlisted, expect an assessment visit before final decisions

References

• Forbes Charitable Foundation - Official Website -
• Forbes Charitable Foundation - About Us -
• Forbes Charitable Foundation - Grant Applications -
• Forbes Charitable Foundation - Grants Awarded -
• Charity Commission - THE FORBES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (326476) -
• Charity Commission - Trustees -