The Golsoncott Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £92,055 (year ending June 2024)
• Number of Grants: 90 grants awarded (2023-24)
• Decision Time: Within 1 week of quarterly meetings
• Grant Range: £250 - £3,000 (most awards £500 - £1,000)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
• Meeting Schedule: Quarterly (late February, May, August, November)

Contact Details

Administrator: Hal Bishop

Address:

The Golsoncott Foundation

53 St Leonard's Road

Exeter

EX2 4LS

Phone: 01392-252855 (Tel/Fax)

Email: golsoncott@btinternet.com

Website: www.golsoncott.org.uk

Overview

The Golsoncott Foundation was established as a Charitable Trust in July 1998 from the estate of artist and sculptor Rachel Reckitt (1908-1995). Based in Exeter, Devon, the Foundation has donated over £1.75 million to the arts over the past 25 years. Its declared object is to promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public in the arts generally and in particular the fine arts and music. The Foundation awarded 90 grants totalling £92,055 in the year ending June 2024, compared to 79 grants totalling £82,000 in 2023, demonstrating steady growth in grant-making activity. The trustees' overriding concern is to support projects that demonstrate and deliver excellence in the arts, whether in performance, exhibition, artistic craft, or scholarly endeavour. The Foundation operates on a quarterly grant-making cycle and accepts applications from UK registered charities and voluntary organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £250 - £3,000 (one-off grants, non-recurrent basis with some exceptions)

• The vast majority of awards fall between £500 and £1,000
• Application method: No set application form; submit digital and hard copy to administrator
• Rolling quarterly deadlines (early February, May, August, November)
• First-come-first-served: Application windows often close early due to high demand

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports projects across seven key art forms:

• Music: Including performance, composition, and scholarship
• Ballet: Performance and training excellence
• Theatre: Productions and artistic development
• Museums: Scholarly endeavour and exhibitions (not capital projects)
• Literature: Literary arts and scholarship
• Fine Arts: Exhibitions, artistic craft, and creative excellence
• Crafts: High-quality artistic craftwork

Key Criterion: Excellence is the Foundation's overriding concern. Priority is given to applications that focus upon the perfection or promotion of the art form itself, rather than projects using arts as a tool for other purposes.

Youth Projects: For applications involving young people, the trustees look for:

• A long-lasting connection between participants and the art form
• Significant level of participation and achievement at a high standard
• Projects offering scope for continued involvement
• Not one-off experiences with limited follow-up

Institutional Bursary Funds: While the Foundation does not accept applications from individuals seeking funding for academic or vocational courses, applications from institutions for general bursary funds will be considered.

What They Don't Fund

• Schools: Applications from schools are not encouraged
• Capital Projects: Capital appeals from museums, galleries, theatres, or arts complexes (except by invitation)
• Equipment: Generally not funded except by invitation
• Individual Courses: No funding for individuals seeking support for academic or vocational courses
• Arts as Secondary Tool: Projects where arts are used primarily as a tool for social, therapeutic, or educational purposes rather than for artistic excellence
• Short-term Youth Engagement: Projects offering young people little scope for further involvement with the art form

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Josephine Lively (Chairman) - Musician and daughter of Dame Penelope Lively
• Dame Penelope Lively - Acclaimed novelist and niece of Rachel Reckitt
• Stephen Wick
• Isobel Wick
• Eliza Thompson
• Emilio Salice

The Foundation has seven trustees in total. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity, and the charity has no employees with total benefits over £60,000.

Founder Background

Rachel Reckitt (1908-1995) was a British artist who worked as a wood engraver, sculptor, and designer of wrought iron work. Born in St Albans, she moved with her family to Old Cleeve in Somerset in 1922 to a large country house known as Golsoncott. After studying wood engraving at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art in London (1933-1937), she maintained a long artistic career. Following her death, Golsoncott was sold and the funds were used to create the Foundation to support the arts in her memory.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Format: There is no set application form. Applications should include:

• Project description
• Organisation status and registration details
• Evidence of public benefit
• Specific funding amount or range requested
• Details of other funding sources
• Annual report and accounts (where possible)
• Any other supporting information deemed relevant

Submission Requirements:

• Applications should be supplied in both digital and hard copy
• Hard copies should not be stapled
• Supporting information may be provided digitally or in hard copy (web links are now accepted)
• An email contact is required with any application or enquiry

Where to Send Applications: Submit to the administrator (Hal Bishop) at the registered office address.

When to Apply: Applications should be sent a few weeks before the scheduled trustees' meeting. The earlier the application, the more considered the first appraisal will be.

Decision Timeline

Trustees' Meetings: Late February, May, August, and November

Nominal Deadlines: Early February, May, August, and November (ahead of each quarterly meeting)

Important Note on Deadlines: The Foundation receives a very high volume of applications. Application windows invariably close well before the nominal deadline once the maximum number of applications that can be adequately considered has been reached. Recent example: The February 2026 meeting window closed on 17 January 2026, two weeks ahead of the 31 January nominal deadline.

First Appraisal: Most applications will be subject to a first appraisal. Applicants who fail the first appraisal will be notified by email.

Final Decision Notification: Applicants are notified by post or email within one week of the trustees' meeting.

Success Rates

In the year ending 30 June 2024, the Foundation awarded 90 grants totalling £92,055. While specific application numbers are not publicly disclosed, the Foundation notes that application volume is “very high” and there is “fierce competition for grants.” The fact that application windows close early indicates strong demand significantly exceeding available funds.

Reapplication Policy

12-Month Rule: Second applications will not be considered until 12 months after the date of the previous determination. This applies whether the previous application was successful or unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and guidance:

1. Demonstrate Excellence: The trustees' overriding concern is excellence. Applications must clearly articulate how the project demonstrates and delivers excellence in the arts, be it in performance, exhibition, artistic craft, or scholarly endeavour.

1. Art Form as Primary Focus: The Foundation specifically states it “particularly favours applications from organisations where the art form itself, and its perfection or excellence in performance, is the primary focus of that organisation.” Projects using arts as a secondary tool for social, therapeutic, or educational outcomes are less likely to be funded.

1. Apply Early: The Foundation explicitly states “the earlier the application, the more considered the first appraisal.” With application windows closing well ahead of nominal deadlines, early submission is crucial for consideration.

1. Long-Term Impact for Youth Projects: For projects involving young people, clearly demonstrate how the project will create a long-lasting connection with the art form and offer significant scope for continued participation and achievement at a high standard.

1. Focus on Perfection and Promotion: Priority is given to applications that focus on “the perfection or promotion of the art in question.” Show how your project advances artistic standards or brings excellence to new audiences.

1. Clear Project Description: Despite having no set form, applications need to be comprehensive. Include clear information about the project, public benefit, funding requirements, and other funding sources.

1. Deliver Audiences to Arts: The Foundation's stated goal is “delivering audiences to the arts, and the arts to new audiences.” Projects that expand access to high-quality arts experiences may be particularly appealing.

1. Evidence of Organisational Credibility: Submit annual reports and accounts where possible to demonstrate your organisation's track record and financial management.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply immediately when application windows open - they close early due to high demand, often weeks before the nominal deadline
• Excellence over social impact - this funder prioritises artistic excellence over community benefit; frame your application around artistic standards and quality
• Small grants only - with most awards between £500-£1,000, this is best suited for modest project support rather than major funding needs
• Non-recurrent funding - plan for one-off support; the 12-month reapplication rule means you cannot rely on annual funding
• Skip the capital projects - unless specifically invited, don't apply for equipment, building work, or capital appeals
• Quick turnaround - decisions within one week of quarterly meetings make this a relatively fast funder
• Youth projects need depth - if working with young people, demonstrate long-term engagement and high achievement standards, not one-off workshops
• UK-wide reach - location is not a barrier; the Foundation funds across all UK nations

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• The Baring Foundation
• The Reed Foundation
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust
• THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST
• The Ashley Family Foundation
• The Vernon Ellis Foundation
• The Finnis Scott Foundation
• The Thistle Trust
• The Cotton Industry War Memorial Trust
• The Garrick Charitable Trust
• The South Square Trust
• The Idlewild Trust
• The Salamander Charitable Trust
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• National Lottery
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
• THE OLDHURST TRUST
• HELP FUND

References

• The Golsoncott Foundation official website: www.golsoncott.org.uk
• “About Us” page: https://www.golsoncott.org.uk/about-us.html
• “How To Apply” page: https://www.golsoncott.org.uk/how-to-apply.html
• “Latest News” page: https://www.golsoncott.org.uk/latest-news.html
• UK Charity Commission Register entry for The Golsoncott Foundation (Charity No. 1070885): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1070885&subid=0
• Funding Scotland database: https://funding.scot/funds/a0R3z00000MhtqREAR/the-golsoncott-foundation
• Making Music funding opportunity listing: https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/funding-opportunity/golsoncott-foundation-grants
• Rachel Reckitt Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Reckitt
• Pallant House Gallery article on Rachel Reckitt: https://pallant.org.uk/from-somerset-to-the-world-the-artistic-journey-of-rachel-reckitt/