The George Goodsir Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £145,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling applications)
• Grant Range: £15,000 - £50,000 (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: David Moore, Chair, The George Goodsir Charitable Trust, Streeter Marshall, 74 High Street, Croydon CR9 2UU

Phone: 020 8680 2638

Email: Not publicly available

Website: None

Overview

The George Goodsir Charitable Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 11 July 2018 (charity number 1179150). The trust is a general charitable trust with wide discretion regarding beneficiaries but maintains special focus on specific charitable causes. With total income of £162,872 and annual grant-giving of approximately £145,000-£150,000, the trust awards a limited number of substantial grants each year. The trust awarded 6 grants in 2024 (totalling £145,000) and 9 grants in 2023 (totalling £150,000). The trust does not have a website and maintains a relatively low public profile, operating through Streeter Marshall, a law firm in Croydon with over 220 years of history in the area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates on a rolling application basis with no fixed deadlines. Applications may be made at any time in writing. Grant amounts in 2024 ranged from £15,000 to £50,000, with the trust making a limited number of awards annually (typically 6-9 grants per year).

Recent grants awarded (year ending 31 March 2024):

• Aerobility: £50,000
• The Orpheus Centre: £25,000
• The Maverick Theatre Company: £20,000
• Douglas Bader Foundation: £20,000
• YMCA Surrey: £15,000
• Cancor Research: £15,000

Priority Areas

The trust has special regard for charities in these specific areas:

• Disability sports and hobbies: Assisting disabled people with their hobbies and/or sports
• Homelessness: Supporting homeless people
• Medical conditions: Assisting people with haemophilia
• Arts and welfare: Helping people in the acting profession who are experiencing hardship

The trust also considers applications from UK registered charities working with elderly/old people, people with disabilities, and the general public throughout England and Wales.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the trust's focus areas are clearly defined. The trust operates with a wide discretion regarding beneficiaries but shows preference for the priority areas listed above.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (3 total):

• David Gregory Moore (Chair)
• Richard Simon Arris
• Charlotte Lucy Holfert

The trust has established governance policies including conflict of interest procedures, financial reserves policy, risk management framework, and investment procedures. No trustees receive remuneration for their service. The charity does not own any land or property.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made at any time in writing. There are no fixed deadlines, and the trust operates on a rolling basis.

Applications should be addressed to:

David Moore, Chair

The George Goodsir Charitable Trust

Streeter Marshall

74 High Street

Croydon

CR9 2UU

The trust does not have an online application portal or website. All applications must be submitted by post.

Both UK registered charities and individuals may apply for grant support, though the vast majority of grants are awarded to registered charities.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. As the trust operates on a rolling basis and makes only 6-9 grants annually, applicants should anticipate that decisions may take several months.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the trust makes a limited number of grants each year (6-9 awards) from what is likely a larger pool of applications, suggesting a competitive process.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the trust directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant recipients, successful applications demonstrate clear alignment with the trust's priority areas:

Disability sports focus: The trust's largest recent grant (£50,000 to Aerobility) and awards to the Douglas Bader Foundation (£20,000) and The Orpheus Centre (£25,000) demonstrate strong support for organizations enabling disabled people to participate in sports and hobbies. Aerobility provides flying experiences for disabled people, the Douglas Bader Foundation supports limbless people, and The Orpheus Centre provides performing arts education for young disabled people.

Vulnerable populations: Grants to YMCA Surrey (£15,000) reflect support for organizations working with homeless and vulnerable people.

Acting profession support: The grant to The Maverick Theatre Company (£20,000) aligns with the trust's interest in supporting people in the acting profession.

Grant sizes: The trust appears to favor substantial grants (£15,000-£50,000) to a smaller number of organizations rather than many small grants. Organizations should request amounts that reflect genuine project needs and align with the trust's typical grant range.

Lists of previous grants: A complete list of all grants awarded over the last 2 years is available on page 8 of the Trust's annual accounts on the Charity Commission website. Reviewing these grants can provide valuable insight into the types of organizations and projects the trust supports.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strong alignment is essential: Applications must clearly demonstrate how the work fits within one of the trust's four priority areas (disability sports/hobbies, homelessness support, haemophilia assistance, or support for actors in hardship)
• Think substantial, not small: Recent grants range from £15,000-£50,000, suggesting the trust prefers to make meaningful investments in fewer organizations
• Limited annual awards: With only 6-9 grants made annually, competition is likely to be significant; applications must make a compelling case
• Research past recipients: Review the trust's annual accounts (available on the Charity Commission website) to understand what types of organizations and projects have been successful
• Be patient: With rolling applications and limited annual awards, decision timelines may be lengthy
• Traditional application process: This is a traditional trust requiring written applications by post; ensure your written application is comprehensive, clear, and professionally presented
• Individuals may apply: Unlike many trusts, The George Goodsir Charitable Trust also considers applications from individuals, though most grants go to registered charities

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• THE BASIL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
• THE ANDOR CHARITABLE TRUST
• Langdale Trust
• The Constance Travis Charitable Trust
• RJ AND AH DANIELS CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Rest-Harrow Trust
• The E C Sosnow Charitable Trust
• THE ROBERT GAVRON CHARITABLE TRUST

References

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities - THE GEORGE GOODSIR CHARITABLE TRUST (1179150), Full Print. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5118415/full-print (Accessed: 28 December 2025)

1. PAVO (2024) “THE GEORGE GOODSIR CHARITABLE TRUST”. Available at: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/the-george-goodsir-charitable-trust/ (Accessed: 28 December 2025)

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - Funding Finder: “The George Goodsir Charitable Trust”. Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/funding-finder/my-account-86 (Accessed: 28 December 2025)

1. Charity Commission - THE GEORGE GOODSIR CHARITABLE TRUST Contact Information. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1179150&subid=0 (Accessed: 28 December 2025)

1. Streeter Marshall LLP Website. Available at: https://www.streetermarshall.com/contact-us/ (Accessed: 28 December 2025)