1. Are you eligible?
The Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust supports projects that promote education, international friendship and understanding, and the advancement of world peace and development.
The Trust funds charitable projects both in the UK and overseas. To be eligible, all applicant organisations must be registered charities with the UK Charity Commission.
Funding Basis
Grants are awarded on a matched funding basis:
- If you have already raised 50% of your total budget, the Trustees may consider match funding up to 50% of the total cost.
- If you have raised less than 50%, the Trustees may consider funding up to a maximum of 30% of the total cost.
Applicants who can demonstrate that they are actively seeking funding from other sources will be viewed favourably.
Please note that the Trust cannot provide retrospective funding. Only applications for future projects will be considered.
2. Submitting your application
Deadlines
Applications may be submitted at any time.
- Requests up to £50,000 are reviewed monthly.
- Requests over £50,000 are considered at the Trustees’ biannual meetings, usually held in March and September.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted online using the official application form.
Applications sent by post, email, or fax will not be accepted.
Please do not contact the Trust for guidance before submitting your application. All necessary information is provided here. Applications will not be acknowledged upon receipt and progress updates or feedback on unsuccessful applications will not be provided.
Before applying, please ensure you have prepared the following:
a. Charity Information
- Full name and address of the charity
- Charity registration number
- Time the charity has had charitable status
- Charity’s annual turnover
- Details of recent grants
- Details of previous grants awarded by the Trust.
b. Narrative Proposal
Provide a summary of your project in no more than 150 words, explaining:
- How your project aligns with the Trust’s priorities
- The project’s goals, methods, and expected outcomes
- The number of people who will benefit — both directly and indirectly
- The specific purpose for which you are requesting funding
Please prepare this section carefully. The Trustees use it as a key part of their initial assessment.
c. Budget and Funding Information
Include a clear budget breakdown showing both income and expenditure, with:
- The total cost of the project and detail the five main components of this cost
- Details of existing or anticipated funding from other sources (including pending applications)
- The amount requested from the Trust
If your project spans more than one year, the budget should cover the entire duration.
d. Additional Information
You may include any further details you wish the Trustees to consider.
Your application must include the charity’s bank details.
Please note that payments cannot be made to individuals, even if they are applying on behalf of a charity.