The Grant Bradley Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £808,164 (2024)
• Annual Giving: £140,490 in charitable activities (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (known examples: £2,000-£5,000)
• Geographic Focus: UK (England and Wales), Poland, and South Africa

Contact Details

Address: St Patrick's Church, Dillon Court, Netham Road, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9PF

Phone: 0117 955 7662 (Church) / 0117 955 5537 (Trust)

Email: info@gbct.uk

Website: www.grantbradleytrust.org.uk

Contact for Applications: Mrs Fiona Bradley, Stockwood Chambers, Cowper St, Redfield, Bristol

Overview

The Grant Bradley Charitable Trust was founded in 2002, named after Peter Bradley and Canon Gregory Grant, who established The PG Group in 1998. The trust emerged from their collaboration on the redevelopment of St Patrick's Church in Redfield, Bristol, which sparked their enthusiasm for both property development and philanthropic opportunities. With annual income of over £800,000 (2024), the trust receives a large proportion of The PG Group's profits to support charities in the UK and worldwide. The trust's mission is to promote the interests of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide with a particular concern for the relief of poverty. It operates with 6 trustees, 1 employee, and 1 volunteer, focusing on poverty relief, elderly care, healthcare, and faith advancement across England, Wales, Poland, and South Africa.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates ongoing grantmaking without fixed application deadlines or publicly specified grant tiers. Known grant examples range from £2,000 to £5,000 for specific projects, though the trust may award larger amounts for major initiatives.

Application Method: Direct application to the trust - specific application forms or portals have not been publicly documented. Prospective applicants should contact the trust directly.

Priority Areas

Primary Objectives:

• Relief of poverty and sickness: Provision of housing and associated amenities for persons in necessitous circumstances
• Elderly care: Provision of housing and associated amenities especially designed or adapted to meet disabilities and requirements of elderly persons
• Advancement of the Roman Catholic faith: Supporting Catholic Church initiatives worldwide
• International development: Providing, equipping, and maintaining schools and hospitals in developing countries (particularly Poland and South Africa)

Specific Focus Areas:

• Disabled people support
• Culture and arts
• Educational courses and programs
• Homeless support initiatives
• Healthcare facilities (including children's cancer hospitals)
• Social welfare programs

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified. However, given the trust's explicit focus on Catholic Church advancement and poverty relief, projects without connection to these areas or the Catholic faith are likely outside their remit.

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• Reverend Gregory Alexander Grant (President): Parish priest of St Patrick's Redfield since 1988 and Dean of the Catholic Church in the diocese, overseeing seven parishes across Bristol. Co-founder of The PG Group with Peter Bradley in 1998.

• Fiona Elizabeth Bradley (Founding Trustee): Qualified accountant who has served as parish treasurer for 25 years at St Patrick's Church. Works voluntarily in the parish office managing financial record keeping. Assisted Father Gregory with the St Patrick's Church redevelopment alongside her late husband Peter Bradley (who passed in 2004).

• Other Trustees: Terry Coggins, Rebecca Musarurwa, and Paul Gaiger

Governance Structure: 6 trustees oversee the trust's operations. One or more trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity for services provided.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The trust does not appear to operate a formal online application portal or published application guidelines. Prospective applicants should:

1. Contact the trust directly via email (info@gbct.uk) or phone
2. Direct correspondence to Mrs Fiona Bradley at the trust's Bristol address
3. Be prepared to demonstrate alignment with Catholic charitable objectives and poverty relief priorities

The trust provides grants to both UK registered charities and individuals.

Decision Timeline

No published information available regarding typical decision timeframes. Applicants should inquire when submitting initial contact.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified.

Application Success Factors

While the trust does not publish formal application guidance, research reveals several success factors:

Demonstrated Track Record:

• The trust supports established initiatives with clear charitable impact (e.g., the Slovakia charity shop was established with parishioners who had existing relationships)
• Connection to St Patrick's Church community or Catholic networks appears beneficial

Project Examples:

• Slovakia Charity Shop: First charity shop in Eastern Europe, established by the trust with Fr Lubo Farkas and St Patrick's parishioners. Aims to raise funds for children's cancer hospital and support mothers in need, homeless people, and seniors. The trust funded transport and setup costs.
• Wild Goose Café, Bristol: The Crisis Centre Ministries operates this café on Stapleton Road. The trust donated approximately £5,000 initially and presented an additional £2,000 cheque for their work supporting homeless people.
• International Healthcare: Focus on equipping and maintaining schools and hospitals in developing countries, particularly in Poland and South Africa

Alignment Factors:

• Strong Catholic faith connection or mission
• Direct poverty relief and practical support (housing, healthcare, food services)
• Support for vulnerable populations: elderly, disabled, homeless, children with serious illness
• International development projects in Poland or South Africa
• Innovative approaches to charity (e.g., first charity shop in Eastern Europe)

Key Language and Terminology:

• “Relief of poverty”
• “Persons in necessitous circumstances”
• “Advancement of the Roman Catholic faith”
• “Provision of housing and associated amenities”
• References to supporting “those most in need”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Catholic connection is essential: The trust's primary aim is advancing the Roman Catholic Church worldwide - applications should demonstrate clear connection to Catholic mission or values
• Think beyond UK borders: The trust actively supports international projects in Poland and South Africa, not just UK-based initiatives
• Relationship building matters: Many funded projects emerged from connections through St Patrick's Church, Bristol, and Canon Gregory Grant's network
• Practical poverty relief: The trust favors tangible, practical interventions (housing, healthcare facilities, charity shops) over purely programmatic work
• No formal process published: Expect an informal, relationship-based application approach - direct contact with trustees recommended
• Combination of religious and social mission: Most successful projects appear to combine Catholic faith advancement with practical poverty relief
• Innovation welcomed: The trust supported pioneering initiatives like Eastern Europe's first charity shop, suggesting openness to creative approaches

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1093331, accessed via https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1093331&subid=0. Financial data for year ending 31 December 2024.

1. Grant Bradley Charitable Trust Official Website - www.grantbradleytrust.org.uk. Information on funding priorities, objectives, and contact details.

1. Find That Charity Database - GB-CHC-1093331 profile at https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1093331. Geographic operations and grant topic areas.

1. The PG Group History - Information about founders Peter Bradley and Canon Gregory Grant, their collaboration since 1998, and connection to Grant Bradley Trust's establishment. Referenced from multiple charity databases.

1. St Patrick's Church, Bristol - Parish information about Canon Gregory Grant's role as parish priest since 1988 and Dean of Catholic Church in the diocese, and Fiona Bradley's role as parish treasurer. Referenced from www.saintpatricks.org.uk.

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - Funder profile for Grant Bradley Charitable Trust at https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/90452.

1. NGO Explorer - Charity profile at https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/1093331. Information on trustees and organizational structure.

1. Grant Examples: Slovakia charity shop and Wild Goose Café projects referenced from trust's news page and charity databases.