How we can help
The David Gibbons Foundation awards grants to residents of Devon who are physically or mentally unwell, in urgent financial need, and / or older adults in need of support.
The Gibbons Family Trust makes grants to children and young people up to the age of 25. The beneficiaries must be living in Devon, and/or the Isle of Thanet (Kent).
Both Trusts award grants to all types of non-profit-making organisations, and to individuals/families when referred from the not-for-profit sector. We do not accept applications directly from members of the public.
When to apply
| Trustees Meet in 2026 | Application Closing Dates |
| 24 March | 28 February |
| 19 May | 30 April |
| 28 July | 30 June |
| 22 September | 31 August |
| 24 November | 31 October |
Late, urgent applications will be accepted at the Trustees’ discretion.
You will be notified of the outcome of your application, within 2 days of our meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do we fund?
We can consider requests for both organisations and individuals. Organisations must be Registered Charities/CIOs CICs, or other non-profit bodies such as community groups, councils, schools or sports clubs.
Individuals and families can apply only through referral from a not-for-profit organisation, such as a NHS professional, teacher, social worker, charity representative. You can read more about this HERE
The David Gibbons Foundation seeks to promote the welfare and relief of
- people that are physically or mentally unwell, disabled, or affected by learning disabilities;
- people suffering from financial hardship;
- and older adults who are in need or assistance;
The Gibbons Family Trust seeks to assist children and young people up to age 25, in financial need, for a wide variety of reasons to improve their quality of life. For example, this could be activities, sports, training etc.
Both Trusts have a strong preference for helping small and local charities / organisations. These applications are prioritised, and large national charities are discouraged from applying (even if for Devon/Thanet residents).
Where do we fund?
The beneficiaries must live in Devon (both Trusts) or the Isle of Thanet in Kent (Gibbons Family Trust only). For both Trusts, applications for East Devon are prioritised.
What do we fund?
The Trustees have a wide remit, but use their experience to prioritise requests benefitting the most urgent, disadvantaged and local residents of Devon (and Thanet for Gibbons Family Trust).
There are specific purposes for which grants will not be made and these can be found on the Trust's individual pages: The David Gibbons Foundation and The Gibbons Family Trust.
How long will it take?
Trustees meet every 8 weeks consider applications received. See above for deadlines and timings. All applications are acknowledged on receipt. If information is missing or further information required, consideration of the application may be deferred until a subsequent meeting.
How to apply?
At the Gibbons Trusts we like to keep things as simple as possible. You do not need to worry about which Trust to apply to, we will place your application into the right Trust, provided it meets the relevant criteria.
All you need to do is:
- Decide in what capacity you are applying – as an organisation in need of funding, or as a sponsor for an individual / family in an urgent financial situation.
- Read all the information on the relevant page, noting what additional information you require and collecting that before you start the applying.
- Use our online application process to get your form to us. You will receive an automated acknowledgement immediately, and then may be contacted for further information in due course.
- That’s it! Please get in touch on enquiries@gibbonstrusts.org if you need help.
Our Funding in the year to 31 March 2025
