The Pebble Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £1,612,006 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed at next trustee meeting (specific timeline not disclosed)
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000 (occasionally larger for organisations)
• Geographic Focus: Brighton and Hove

Contact Details

Website: www.pebbletrust.org

Email: charities@nqpltd.com

Phone: 020 7430 7159

Address: c/o New Quadrant Partners Limited, 25 Bury Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 6AL

Overview

The Pebble Trust (registered charity 1129132) was established in 2009 as a charitable company to support local people and causes in Brighton and Hove. With an annual income of £1.6 million in 2024, primarily from donations and legacies, the Trust operates with a broad charitable remit to pay or apply income and capital “to or for the benefit of any charity or charitable purpose.” The Trust is governed by two trustees, James Simon Edward Arnell (Chair) and Louise Margaret Arnell. Since its founding, the Trust has made numerous donations across the city, supporting community organisations, talented young people, and arts initiatives. Recent years have seen the Trust expand its programmes to include the Brighton Fringe Bursaries and International Touring Awards, demonstrating a strong commitment to nurturing local talent and cultural development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Local Donations Programme: £500 - £5,000 (occasionally larger)

• Application deadlines three times per year: February, June, and October
• Next deadline: Friday, 27th February 2026
• Focus on not-for-profit organisations in Brighton and Hove

Talent Grants: Up to £500

• Awarded twice annually in January and July
• For young people aged 13-19 living in Brighton and Hove
• Next deadline: Friday, 9th January 2026
• Supports development of talent in sport, music, performing arts, and academia

Brighton Fringe Young People's Bursaries: £500

• For artists aged 25 or younger
• Covers production costs, Brighton Fringe registration fees, and includes professional mentoring

Brighton Fringe International Touring Awards: Up to £3,000

• Outgoing Award for Sussex artists to tour international Fringe festivals
• Incoming Award for international artists to perform at Brighton Fringe

Priority Areas

The Trust particularly invites applications from organisations involved in:

• Community projects and work with disadvantaged people
• Education initiatives
• Care services
• Arts programmes (noting current restrictions - see below)
• Projects demonstrating long-term, broad-reaching, and positive impact on Brighton and Hove residents

What They Don't Fund

• For-profit businesses or commercial organisations
• Professional fees (generally not supported)
• Arts-based projects (currently): “As they already have a number of long-term partnerships with arts organisations in the city, they are not seeking to support further arts-based projects at this time”
• Organisations outside Brighton and Hove
• Direct payments to individual talent grant applicants (must be paid to schools/organisations via BACS)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• James Simon Edward Arnell (Chair)
• Louise Margaret Arnell

The Trust operates as a charitable company with a lean governance structure, allowing for focused decision-making on grant applications. The trustees meet regularly to review applications submitted by the quarterly deadlines.

How to Apply to The Pebble Trust

How to Apply

Local Donations (Organisations):

Complete the online application form on the Trust's website at www.pebbletrust.org/donations. Applications must include:

• Detailed breakdown of how funds would be spent
• Clear demonstration of direct benefit to Brighton and Hove residents
• Explanation of why funding needs to come from charitable sources
• Description of how the donation's effectiveness will be measured

Talent Grants (Young People):

Complete the online application form at www.pebbletrust.org/grants. The application should ideally be completed by the young person themselves rather than by a parent. Requirements include:

• Supporting statement from teacher/mentor (must be from a non-financially interested party)
• Detailed explanation of talent and how funds will be used
• Confirmation that the school/organisation can administer funds

Decision Timeline

Applications are considered at the next meeting of trustees following the deadline. Applicants are informed of the result by email. Specific timeframes from submission to decision are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

The Trust does not publicly disclose specific statistics about the number of applications received or success rates. However, they note receiving “extremely high numbers of applications” for talent grants in recent years, which led to the implementation of stricter age requirements (limiting first-time applicants to ages 13-18).

Reapplication Policy

Organisations: Can reapply for repeat funding, but the trustees “reserve the right to decline applications without providing reasons.”

Talent Grants: Successful applicants can reapply after 12 months (maximum one grant per year). The Trust states: “We have a preference for applicants who update us on their progress,” suggesting that staying in touch increases chances of future support.

Application Success Factors

The Pebble Trust provides specific guidance that reveals what they value in applications:

For Organisational Grants:

• The Real Junk Food Project Brighton (£5,000) - addressing food waste and hunger
• Sussex MS Centre (£5,000) - capital project for garden room
• Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project (£4,000) - youth engagement
• South East Dance (£4,997) - wellbeing programmes for older adults

For Talent Grants:

The Trust explicitly states: “We look first and foremost for outstanding talent. We also consider dedication, potential, financial/personal circumstances and overall quality of application.”

1. Outstanding Talent is Paramount: The primary criterion is demonstrable exceptional ability
2. Complete Application Yourself: “The application, if at all possible, should be completed by the applicant themselves rather than by a parent”
3. Strong Supporting Statements: Secure a detailed reference from a teacher or mentor who can speak to your talent and dedication
4. Show Dedication and Potential: Evidence of consistent practice, competition results, or performance achievements
5. Explain Financial Need: Clear explanation of why charitable support is necessary
6. Stay in Touch: The Trust has “a preference for applicants who update us on their progress”

Notable Success Story:

Amber Anning, a former talent grant recipient, went on to become World Indoor 400m Champion and won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, breaking the British national record with a time of 49.29 seconds. This demonstrates the Trust's ability to identify and support exceptional talent at early stages.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Restriction is Absolute: Only Brighton and Hove organisations and residents are eligible - don't apply if you're outside this area
• Quality Over Quantity in Budgets: Provide genuinely detailed breakdowns of expenditure - vague budget requests will weaken your application
• Long-term Impact is Critical: Frame your project in terms of sustained, broad-reaching benefits to the local community, not one-off activities
• Note the Arts Restriction: While they support Brighton Fringe programmes, they are not currently considering new arts partnerships for the Local Donations programme
• Reapplication is Welcome: If unsuccessful, you can reapply, and previous grant recipients can return after one year with a progress report
• For Talent Grants, Outstanding Talent Trumps All: While financial need matters, the primary criterion is exceptional ability - ensure your supporting statement provides compelling evidence of this
• Stay Connected: For talent grant recipients, keeping the Trust updated on your progress improves future funding prospects and helps demonstrate the impact of their investment

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Backstage Trust
• The Ian Askew Charitable Trust
• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust
• The Boltini Trust
• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• The Peter Cruddas Foundation
• Woodsmith Foundation Limited
• Chapman Charitable Trust
• Man Group Plc Charitable Trust
• The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation

References

• The Pebble Trust official website - www.pebbletrust.org
• Charity Commission Register of Charities - Charity Number 1129132, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4045094/full-print
• The Pebble Trust Local Donations page - https://www.pebbletrust.org/donations
• The Pebble Trust Talent Grants page - https://www.pebbletrust.org/grants
• The Pebble Trust News Archive - https://www.pebbletrust.org/news
• Resource Centre - Pebble Trust information - https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information/pebble-trust/
• Olympic success article - https://www.pebbletrust.org/news-archive/2024/8/27/olympic-success-for-former-talent-grant-recipient