The Goldcrest Charitable Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £260,000 (based on 2023/24 expenditure)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: At trustee discretion (rolling applications)
- Grant Range: Not specified - determined by trustees
- Geographic Focus: UK (applications via Ludlow Trust gateway)
Contact Details
Website: https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
Email: charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com
Phone: 0117 313 8200
Charity Number: 1147149
Applications must be submitted through the Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
Overview
The Goldcrest Charitable Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 4 May 2012. The trust operates for general charitable purposes and is managed by Ludlow Trust Company Ltd (appointed as trustee in 2021), which manages over 275 charitable trusts. In the financial year ending 30 April 2024, the trust had an income of £26,559 and distributed approximately £260,000 in grants. The trust is open to applications from UK registered charities and exempt charities through the Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway, an award-winning online platform launched in September 2023 that has received over 8,000 applications and facilitated distribution of over £2.5 million in grants across the Ludlow-managed trusts portfolio.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Goldcrest Charitable Trust does not operate distinct grant programs. Applications are reviewed by trustees on a rolling basis through the Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway. The trust makes grants to both organisations and individuals according to trustee discretion.
Application Method: Rolling basis via online portal at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
Priority Areas
The trust supports a broad range of charitable causes, including:
- Environment, conservation and heritage
- Economic and community development/employment
- General charitable purposes
- People with disabilities
- Other charities or voluntary bodies
- The advancement of health or saving of lives
- Amateur sport
- Animals
- Arts, culture, heritage and science
The trust makes grants to both organisations and individuals identified from applications or from trustees' own investigations.
What They Don't Fund
No specific exclusions are publicly documented. However, applications must align with general charitable purposes as defined by UK charity law.
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Governance and Leadership
The Goldcrest Charitable Trust currently has 3 trustees. The trust is professionally managed by Ludlow Trust Company Ltd, which was appointed as trustee in 2021. Ludlow Trust Company manages over 275 charitable trusts with combined assets exceeding £1.2 billion.
The original trustees included Mrs Julie Amanda Dyson, Mr Neil Dyson, and Coutts & Co before management transferred to Ludlow Trust Company Ltd.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
Eligibility: UK registered charities and exempt charities
Application Options:
- Apply specifically to The Goldcrest Charitable Trust
- Submit a general application that can be matched to any of the 275+ charitable trusts managed by Ludlow Trust Company
Platform Features:
- Accessible on PCs, tablets and smartphones
- No cost to apply
- Streamlined matching process between charities and relevant trusts
- Applications may be submitted at any time (rolling basis)
Process:
- Charities submit information about their organisation and funding needs via the online portal
- The platform matches applications to appropriate trusts based on charitable objectives
- Applications are reviewed by Ludlow Trust Managers
- If suitable, applications are shared with trustees for funding decisions
- Trustees review applications at times they request to make funding decisions
Decision Timeline
The timeframe for decision-making is at the discretion of the trustees once applications are matched via the Gateway. There are no fixed deadlines or decision dates. Trustees review applications according to their own schedules.
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, since the Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway launched in September 2023, it has received nearly 8,000 applications and facilitated distribution of over £2.5 million in grants across the 275+ trusts managed by Ludlow Trust Company.
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication policy is documented. As applications are accepted on a rolling basis, organisations can presumably reapply, though specific guidance on timing or waiting periods is not publicly available.
Application Success Factors
While The Goldcrest Charitable Trust does not publish specific guidance on successful applications, insights from the broader Ludlow Trust portfolio include:
Strategic Alignment: Ensure your charitable purposes align with the trust's broad funding priorities. The Goldcrest Charitable Trust supports a wide range of charitable causes, so clearly articulate how your work fits within their stated areas of interest.
Use of the Gateway Platform: The Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway was designed to improve efficiency and reduce the “luck factor” in applications. Submitting through this platform ensures your application is systematically matched to appropriate trusts based on objectives rather than relying on manual selection.
Clear Impact Demonstration: Examples from other Ludlow-managed trusts show preference for organisations addressing significant social issues with clear, practical impact. Recent grants have supported organisations tackling cost of living challenges, food poverty, fuel poverty, and housing needs.
General Application Strategy: Consider submitting a general application through the Gateway, which can be matched to any of the 275+ Ludlow-managed trusts, potentially broadening your funding opportunities beyond just The Goldcrest Charitable Trust.
Professional Management: Applications are reviewed by professional Trust Managers at Ludlow Trust Company before being presented to trustees, so ensure your application is complete, professional, and clearly articulates your charitable work and funding needs.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Open access: The trust accepts applications from UK registered and exempt charities through an accessible online platform with no application fees
- Broad charitable scope: With support for general charitable purposes across multiple sectors, many types of organisations may be eligible
- Rolling applications: No deadlines mean you can apply when it suits your organisation's planning cycle
- Gateway advantage: The matching system may connect you with other appropriate Ludlow-managed trusts beyond The Goldcrest Charitable Trust
- Trustee discretion: Decision-making timelines vary based on trustee schedules, so factor this flexibility into your planning
- Professional management: Applications are professionally screened by Ludlow Trust Managers, so ensure clarity and completeness
- Limited public information: With minimal published criteria, focus on clearly articulating your charitable impact and alignment with the trust's broad priorities
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- THE EVESON TRUST
- THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
- PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND
- DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST
- THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST
- The Patricia Routledge Foundation
- Smith Charitable Trust
- Medical Research Council
- THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
- P F Charitable Trust
- The Dyers' Company Charitable Trust
- THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
- The Dulverton Trust
- The Big Give Trust
- The Orr Mackintosh Foundation Limited
- National Lottery
- THE SIR JAMES ROLL CHARITABLE TRUST
- THE BOSHIER-HINTON FOUNDATION
- THE LORD COZENS-HARDY TRUST
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References
- Charity Commission for England and Wales. “The Goldcrest Charitable Trust - Charity Registration 1147149.” Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5028098
- Ludlow Trust Company. “The Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway.” Ludlow Trust Insights. https://www.ludlowtrust.com/insights/the-ludlow-funding-enquiry-gateway/
- Ludlow Trust Company. "Ludlow's Funding Enquiry Gateway." Ludlow Trust Insights. https://www.ludlowtrust.com/insights/ludlows-funding-enquiry-gateway/
- Ludlow Trust Company. “Cost of Living grants awarded.” Ludlow Trust Insights. https://www.ludlowtrust.com/insights/cost-of-living-grants-awarded/
- Ludlow Trust Company. "For Your Trust, Succession & Philanthropy Needs." https://www.ludlowtrust.com/
- Scotland's International Development Alliance. "Ludlow Trust Company's Funding Enquiry Gateway." https://intdevalliance.scot/membership/funding-update/ludlow-trust-companys-funding-enquiry-gateway/
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Goldcrest Charitable Trust fund?
Grant Programs The Goldcrest Charitable Trust does not operate distinct grant programs. Applications are reviewed by trustees on a rolling basis through the Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway.
How much funding does The Goldcrest Charitable Trust provide?
The Goldcrest Charitable Trust provides grants ranging from Not specified - determined by trustees, with total annual giving of approximately £260,000 (based on 2023/24 expenditure).
How do I contact The Goldcrest Charitable Trust?
Website: https://funding. ludlowtrust.
Is The Goldcrest Charitable Trust a registered charity?
Yes, The Goldcrest Charitable Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1147149). They primarily serve organisations in Throughout England And Wales.
How do I apply to The Goldcrest Charitable Trust?
How to Apply Applications must be submitted through the Ludlow Trust Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding. ludlowtrust. com Eligibility: UK registered charities and exempt charities Application Options: Apply specifically to The Goldcrest Charitable Trust Submit a general application that can be matched to any of the 275+ charitable trusts managed by Ludlow Trust Company Platform Features: Accessible on PCs, tablets and smartphones No cost to apply Streamlined matching process between charities and relevant trusts Applications may be submitted at any time (rolling basis) Process: Charities submit information about their organisation and funding needs via the online portal The platform matches applications to appropriate trusts based on charitable objectives Applications are reviewed by Ludlow Trust Managers If suitable, applications are shared with trustees for funding decisions Trustees review applications at times they request to make funding decisions Decision Timeline The timeframe for decision-making is at the discretion of the trustees once applications are matched via the Gateway.
Where is The Goldcrest Charitable Trust based?
They fund organisations in Throughout England And Wales.