The Gosling Foundation Limited

Charity Number: 326840

Annual Expenditure: £3.9M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.thegoslingfoundation.com

Phone: 020 3872 7723

Email: office@thegoslingfoundation.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £4.7 million (2024 income)
  • Total Grants Since 1985: Over £100 million
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks
  • Grant Range: £5,000 minimum (no strict maximum)
  • Geographic Focus: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Contact Details

Website: www.thegoslingfoundation.com

Email: office@thegoslingfoundation.com

Phone: 020 3872 7723

Overview

The Gosling Foundation Limited was established in 1985 by the late Sir Donald Gosling, a former Royal Navy serviceman and co-founder of National Car Parks (NCP). Following Sir Donald's death in 2019, the foundation is now chaired by his son Adam Gosling, an Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over £100 million in grants, with income of £4.7 million in the financial year ending March 2024. The foundation's strategic approach reflects Sir Donald's lifelong passion for the Royal Navy and maritime community, alongside commitments to youth development and education. The foundation operates as a private grant-maker, focusing primarily on capital projects and initiatives that create lasting impact for beneficiaries within their core areas of interest.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants (£5,000+ per year)

  • Capital projects including new buildings, extensions, refurbishments, and recreational spaces
  • Equipment and furniture for project delivery
  • Salaries for personnel specifically employed to deliver funded projects
  • Single-year funding preferred; multi-year funding considered in exceptional circumstances (maximum 3 years)
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis via online application form

Sea Cadet Fund (up to £5,000)

  • Specific application windows: 30 June and 31 December deadlines
  • Separate application process for Sea Cadet organizations

Royal Navy & Royal Marines Applications

  • Dedicated application stream for serving personnel and veteran organizations
  • Can include applications from individual units, establishments, and ships

Priority Areas

Royal Navy & Royal Marines: Organizations supporting serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families; welfare initiatives; commemorative projects.

Youth: Programs providing positive opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalized young people; Sea Cadets, Scouts, Girl Guides; performing arts initiatives; programs building self-sufficiency and confidence.

Education: Educational opportunities and support programs; special needs schools and colleges; initiatives supporting transition to higher education.

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals
  • Core operational costs (general management, communications, HR, fundraising, finance, utilities, ongoing IT costs)
  • Medical equipment or medical research equipment
  • Professional fees (building surveys, planning applications, feasibility studies)
  • Heritage conservation projects
  • NHS hospitals
  • Mainstream educational institutions
  • Hospices
  • Religious organizations without secular activities
  • Projects that exclude beneficiaries based on faith or ethnicity
  • 100% of project costs (matched funding expected)

Governance and Leadership

Adam Gosling, Chairman: Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy with over 30 years in the property industry. Council Member of White Ensign Association and Trustee of The Britannia Association. Married to Sarah, a former Olympic sailor. Personal interests include sailing, mountains, skiing, photography, and cycling.

Peter Caplan, Trustee: Entrepreneur and investor with background in systems engineering and management consultancy. Former trustee of CancerBackup. Interests include tennis, cycling, skiing, cinema, and theatre. Married to Rebecca with four children.

Nick Giles, Trustee: Joined the board in September 2019. Trustee of Blood Pressure Research Trust and founding trustee of Hoopers Africa Trust. Spent 40 years as a law firm partner. Lives in London, married with four children.

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Three online application forms available:

  1. Royal Navy & Royal Marines Stream: Dedicated form for naval-related projects
  2. General Application: Requires completion of eligibility quiz before accessing application form
  3. Sea Cadet Fund: For grants up to £5,000, with biannual deadlines (30 June and 31 December)

Applications cannot be saved and must be completed in one session. All applications submitted via www.thegoslingfoundation.com.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Registered charity, CIO, or CIC in the UK
  • Minimum two years of annual accounts
  • Annual income under £30 million
  • Minimum project cost of £5,000 (exceptions for RNRM and Sea Cadet Fund)
  • Must demonstrate matched funding from multiple sources

Decision Timeline

  • Assessment period: Approximately 6 weeks from submission
  • Recommended submission time: At least 2 months before funds required
  • Payment processing: 4 weeks minimum after approval
  • Notification: Automated confirmation upon submission; trustees' decision communicated after review meetings

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. The foundation notes that being within their funding criteria does not guarantee funding, as trustees make final decisions based on alignment with the charity's objects.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants: Must wait 1 calendar year from the date of notification before reapplying.

Successful grant recipients: May reapply 2 calendar years from the date funds are received into their account.

No individual feedback provided on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Guidance from the Foundation

“The Trustees strongly recommend that organisations show that they are looking to raise funds from a variety of sources, and not solely from the Foundation.” This emphasis on matched funding is critical—the foundation will not fund 100% of project costs.

“The Trustees may award more or less than the amount requested”—applications should be realistic but should not assume full funding at the requested level.

Strategic Considerations

Demonstrate multiple funding sources: The foundation expects applicants to have sought and secured matched funding toward their project. Show evidence of fundraising efforts from diverse sources.

Focus on capital projects with lasting impact: The foundation prioritizes tangible infrastructure improvements—new buildings, extensions, refurbishments, equipment—rather than operational costs.

Align with founder's legacy: Projects that demonstrate connection to Sir Donald Gosling's interests (Royal Navy, youth development, maritime heritage) may resonate more strongly with trustees.

Recent funding example: In January 2023, the foundation awarded £22,700 to cadet units for building repairs and refurbishments, minibus funds, and expeditions.

Core costs allowance

If awarded a grant for a specific project, the foundation may contribute approximately 5% of the total project cost toward the organization's core costs—but this is supplementary and should not be the primary request.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Requesting 100% project funding
  • Applying without demonstrating matched funding efforts
  • Submitting applications for ineligible costs (core operations, professional fees, medical equipment)
  • Applying from organizations with income exceeding £30 million
  • Not allowing sufficient time (minimum 2 months recommended before funds needed)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital projects are key: Focus applications on tangible infrastructure improvements, equipment, and facilities that create lasting impact for beneficiaries.
  • Matched funding is essential: Demonstrate active fundraising from multiple sources; the foundation will not be sole funder and expects significant matched contributions.
  • Naval and youth connections matter: Projects aligned with Royal Navy/Royal Marines or youth development have clear strategic fit with the foundation's heritage and priorities.
  • Allow adequate time: Submit at least 2 months before funds are needed, with a 6-week assessment period plus 4 weeks for payment processing.
  • Reapplication timing matters: Unsuccessful applicants wait 1 year; successful recipients wait 2 years before reapplying—plan future funding needs accordingly.
  • Eligibility screening is strict: Must have 2 years of accounts, income under £30 million, and project costs minimum £5,000 (with exceptions for specific programs).
  • No guarantee of funding: Being within funding criteria does not ensure a grant; trustees exercise discretion based on alignment with charitable objects and available resources.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

  • Bernard Sunley Foundation
  • The Hobson Charity Limited
  • Sailors' Children'S Society
  • The Bryan Christopher Corrigan Charitable Trust
  • The Chandris Foundation
  • The E And N Watson Charity
  • The Gerald Bentall Charitable Trust
  • Help To Create Hope Trust
  • Royal Engineers Association
  • The Conway Charitable Foundation

References