The Gibbons Family Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £155,070 (FY 2024)
• Success Rate: 75-94% (varies by meeting)
• Decision Time: Up to 8 weeks (trustees meet every 8 weeks)
• Grant Range: £160 - £2,000 (averaging under £2,000)
• Geographic Focus: Devon (preference for East Devon) and Isle of Thanet, Kent

Contact Details

• Website: www.gibbonstrusts.org.uk
• Email: enquiries@gibbonstrusts.org
• Phone: 7483335759
• Application: Online application form available on website

Overview

The Gibbons Family Trust (Charity Number 290884) was established by David and Vera Gibbons to support children and young people up to age 25 in Devon and the Isle of Thanet, Kent. With an annual expenditure of £155,070 (FY ending March 2024) and total income of £94,196, the Trust focuses on education, training, recreation, and general welfare support for young people. The Trust is governed by 6 trustees who receive no remuneration and has no employees. It operates with a strong preference for helping small and local charities and organisations, while actively discouraging applications from large national charities. The Trust maintains an exceptionally high success rate for applications, typically ranging from 75-94% depending on the meeting.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Youth Support Grants: £160 - £2,000 (average under £2,000)
• Rolling online application system
• Trustees meet every 8 weeks to review applications
• Grants awarded for organisations and individuals (through referral)

Priority Areas

• Education and educational advancement for young people
• Training and skills development
• Recreation and recreational activities
• General welfare support
• Charitable residential and day care establishments for children and young people, including those who are disabled
• Strong preference for East Devon applicants
• Strong preference for small and local charities/organisations

What They Don't Fund

• Private school fees or any ongoing fees
• Overseas trips of any nature (for individuals)
• Large national charities (discouraged from applying)
• Retrospective funding for events, services, or purchases already completed
• Grants requiring payment in instalments over time
• Applications for beneficiaries outside Devon or Isle of Thanet, Kent
• More than one application from the same applicant within 12 months

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 6 trustees who meet every 8 weeks to consider applications. Trustees receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust has no employees with total benefits over £60,000 and operates entirely through trustee governance. Trustees meet at the end of January, March, May, July, August, and November.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online application form available on the Trust's website (www.gibbonstrusts.org.uk). Before applying:

1. Determine your application type: organisation seeking funding or sponsor for an individual/family in urgent financial need
2. Read all information on the relevant page and collect required documentation
3. Prepare bank identification details (required for ALL applications - grants are paid by BACS)
4. For individual applications: obtain at least one signed reference from a professional independent third party (NHS professional, teacher, social worker, charity representative)

Key Requirements:

• Bank details must be supplied with every application
• Grants to individuals are paid to the third-party referee or organisation, not directly to beneficiaries
• Applications from individuals require referral from a not-for-profit organisation
• References may be contacted before trustee meetings
• Spending of grants is expected within 6 months of receipt

Applicants receive an automated acknowledgement immediately upon submission.

Decision Timeline

• Application Review: Every 8 weeks when trustees meet
• Trustee Meetings: End of January, March, May, July, August, November
• Processing: Applications acknowledged immediately; if information is missing or further information is required, consideration may be deferred to a subsequent meeting
• Notification: All applicants are notified of decisions following trustee meetings

Success Rates

The Gibbons Family Trust maintains an exceptionally high success rate:

• Recent meetings show success rates ranging from 75-94%
• Example meetings:
• 15 out of 18 applications successful (83%)
• 21 out of 26 applications successful (81%)
• 17 out of 18 applications successful (94%)
• 15 out of 20 applications successful (75%)

Reapplication Policy

Only one application from any applicant will be considered in any 12-month period. This applies regardless of whether the previous application was successful or unsuccessful. Only one grant payment will be made for each successful application.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and patterns:

Geographic Priority:

• Applications for East Devon are prioritised
• Beneficiaries must live in Devon or Isle of Thanet, Kent
• Recent data shows varied distribution: some meetings have all grants going to Devon with none to Thanet, while others distribute between both regions

Organisation Type:

• Small and local charities/organisations are strongly prioritised
• Large national charities are actively discouraged from applying, even if supporting Devon/Thanet residents

Application Quality:

• Read all information on the website thoroughly before applying
• Ensure all required documentation is complete to avoid deferral
• Include signed references from professional third parties for individual applications
• Provide clear bank identification details

Grant Purpose:

• Focus on education, training, recreation, and general welfare for young people
• Demonstrate direct benefit to children and young people up to age 25
• Show how grant will be spent within 6 months
• Avoid retrospective funding or requests for instalment payments

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Play therapy sessions for children (grants as small as £160)
• Outward bound courses for disadvantaged local young people
• Support for charitable residential and day care establishments
• Educational and training opportunities for young people

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Exceptional success rates: With 75-94% success rates, well-prepared applications have strong chances of approval
• Be local and small: The Trust explicitly prioritises small, local organisations over large national charities
• Geographic targeting matters: East Devon applications are prioritised; ensure beneficiaries reside in Devon or Isle of Thanet
• Complete applications succeed: Ensure all documentation, references, and bank details are provided to avoid deferral
• Plan timing carefully: With 8-week decision cycles, factor in up to 8 weeks from submission to decision
• One chance per year: Only one application per 12 months is considered, so make it count
• Spend within 6 months: Grants must be spent within 6 months of receipt - ensure project timelines align
• Use the right route: Individuals must apply through professional third-party referees, not directly

References

• The Gibbons Trusts official website: https://gibbonstrusts.org.uk/
• Charity Commission Register - The Gibbons Family Trust (290884): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/290884
• Gibbons Family Trust Grants Spending: https://gibbonstrusts.org.uk/gibbons-family-trust/
• The Gibbons Family Trust & The David Gibbons Foundation: https://gibbonstrusts.wordpress.com/
• Pinpoint Devon - The Gibbons Family Trust and The David Gibbons Foundation: https://services.pinpointdevon.co.uk/kb5/devon/services/service.page?id=pzf37e0LQcU
• Funding for All - The Gibbons Family Trust: https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/the-gibbons-family-trust/