The Kelly Family Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £127,221 (2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (grants awarded twice yearly)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (higher amounts considered)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide

Contact Details

Website: https://kfct.org.uk/

Email: mail@kfct.org.uk

Phone: 0131 315 4879

Grants Administrator: Stuart Armstrong

Charity Number: 1102440

Overview

The Kelly Family Charitable Trust was established in 2004 by members of the Kelly family with the original aim of supporting small local charities carrying out community projects. In July 2006, the trustees refined their focus to prioritize charities that nurture the potential of a supportive family structure. Led by Chairman of Trustees Jennifer Kelly, the trust supports UK registered charities with annual incomes under £500,000, with a particular emphasis on helping newer organizations become established. The trust awarded £127,221 in grants during the year ending March 31, 2024, maintaining consistent annual giving (£121,274 in 2023; £119,674 in 2022). The trustees actively engage with supported charities and take a close interest in their progress, often visiting shortlisted projects during the assessment process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Main Grant Programme: Up to £5,000 (trustees will consider higher amounts on request)
• Applications accepted twice yearly with deadlines of March 1st and September 1st
• Both capital and revenue grants available
• Core funding and project-based grants supported

Priority Areas

The trust has focused its funding to prioritize charities whose activities involve all or most family members working together as a cohesive unit. The three main priority areas are:

1. Families Facing Abuse and Addiction: Supporting families where sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and drug abuse threaten the integrity of the family unit

• Practical family support
• Relationship counselling
• Mediation services
• Early intervention programs

1. Prisoners and Their Families: Supporting prisoners and their families during and after imprisonment

What They Don't Fund

• Non-registered charities
• Individual grant requests
• National charities (will only fund regional projects of national charities)
• General appeals
• Organizations with specific religious or political purposes
• Organizations operating outside the UK

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Governance and Leadership

Chairman of Trustees: Jennifer Kelly

The trust is governed by five trustees who do not receive remuneration or payments for their service. The trustees have experienced fluid composition over the years, with members taking breaks for personal reasons. The trust actively recruits new trustees when needed.

Grants Administrator: Stuart Armstrong is the primary point of contact for all grant inquiries and manages the application process.

The trustees take an active, hands-on approach to grant-making, closely following the progress of supported charities and often visiting shortlisted organizations during the decision-making process.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Check Eligibility: Review the application criteria on the trust's website before applying
2. Download Application Form: Use the official application form available on their website
3. Submit by Email: Send completed applications to mail@kfct.org.uk
4. Include Annual Accounts: Applicants must submit their annual accounts with the application

Important: The trust expects applying charities to demonstrate that funding has been sought and secured from elsewhere (matched funding requirement).

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadlines: March 1st and September 1st
• Assessment Process: Applications are considered at subsequent trustee meetings after each deadline
• Shortlisting: Trustees will ask for more details from charities that pass initial screening
• Site Visits: May visit shortlisted charities
• Notification: The grants administrator Stuart Armstrong or a trustee will contact potential grantees
• Specific Timeframe: Not publicly stated, but decisions made after each biannual meeting

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The trust awarded £127,221 across grants in 2023/24, with typical grants up to £5,000, suggesting approximately 25+ grants were awarded, though exact numbers are not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants must wait one year before reapplying. Organizations that have received funding can apply for repeat funding one year after their original application, provided they submit satisfactory progress reports.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's stated priorities and approach, the following factors increase application success:

1. Family-Centered Approach: Applications must demonstrate how programs involve all or most family members in tackling problems together. The trust specifically moved away from general community projects in 2006 to focus on family cohesion.

1. Small Charity Size: The trust prefers supporting charities with annual income under £500,000 and actively encourages applications from newer organizations trying to become established.

1. Demonstrated Co-Funding: Applicants must show that they have sought and secured funding from other sources. This matched funding requirement is essential.

1. Core Funding Welcome: Unlike many funders, the trust explicitly welcomes applications for core costs as well as project-based grants.

1. Progress Reporting: For repeat applicants, demonstrating satisfactory progress through required reports is crucial for securing additional funding.

1. Trustee Engagement: Be prepared for detailed questions and potential site visits. The trustees take an active interest and want to understand your work deeply.

1. Alignment with Priority Areas: Ensure your work clearly fits within one or more of the three priority areas (families facing abuse/addiction, early intervention to prevent family breakdown, or prisoners and their families).

1. UK Operations Only: All activities must take place within the UK, regardless of where the organization is based.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasize family cohesion: Frame your work around how you help families work together as a unit to overcome challenges
• Demonstrate matched funding: Show evidence of other funding sources secured or in process before applying
• Target smaller organizations: This trust particularly welcomes newer charities under £500,000 income
• Don't shy from core costs: Unlike many funders, they explicitly support core funding requests
• Plan for engagement: Expect detailed follow-up questions and possibly a site visit if shortlisted
• Time applications carefully: With only two deadlines per year (March 1 and September 1), plan submissions strategically
• Build relationship: Contact grants administrator Stuart Armstrong with questions before applying
• Submit complete applications: Include annual accounts and all required documentation with initial submission

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Adint Charitable Trust
• THE ROBERT MCALPINE FOUNDATION
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• The Lewin Trust
• D C R Allen Charitable Trust
• THE TRUEMARK TRUST
• P F Charitable Trust
• THE A.D. CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Kelly Family Charitable Trust official website: https://kfct.org.uk/
• Kelly Family Charitable Trust - How to Apply: https://kfct.org.uk/how-to-apply/
• Kelly Family Charitable Trust - Application Criteria: https://kfct.org.uk/application-criteria/
• Kelly Family Charitable Trust - About the Trust: https://kfct.org.uk/about-the-trust/
• UK Charity Commission Register - The Kelly Family Charitable Trust (1102440): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1102440&subid=0
• Action Together - Kelly Family Charitable Trust information: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/kelly-family-charitable-trust
• Funding for All - Kelly Family Charitable Trust profile: https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/kelly-family-charitable-trust/