insideKENT Magazine Issue 92 - November 2019 | Page 170

CHARITY
KENT CHARITY PROFILE:
Colyer-Fergusson
Charitable Trust
EXPLORING THE WORK OF THE CHARITY DEDICATED TO
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN KENT.
What is the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable
Trust and what difference has it made?
The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust is an independent grant-making trust
set up by Sir James Colyer-Fergusson in 1969 as a way of supporting charitable
causes in Kent that were close to his heart. Over the years the Trust has made
over 5,000 grants totalling more than £45m, with the overarching aim of
improving the lives of the people of Kent, particularly those at the margins of
society. Since its inauguration, the Trust has backed innovative projects and
visionary individuals making a wide range of grants, from a few hundred pounds
to several million. Each grant has made an impact, from the smallest helping
a young person to secure their first job, to the largest funding the construction
of flagship community buildings.
How do you decide which grants to make?
The Trust is fortunate to have a hardworking and dedicated board of Trustees.
In the early years, it comprised family and friends of Sir James, people he knew
well and trusted. Today, years after his death, the Trustees are people with a
wealth of charity knowledge and professional expertise, all with a shared vision
for Kent. They meet regularly to consider funding applications and allocate
grants in line with their published funding priorities.
What are your current funding priorities?
The Trust has recently embarked on a five-year funding plan which encompasses
a wide range of charitable activity in Kent. It supports disadvantaged young
people to improve their skills and break down the barriers to their employment.
It also makes grants to support ‘families’ living at the sharp end of socio-economic
170
hardship. Its third programme makes
small grants to community groups and
charities to strengthen their resilience
and capacity to deliver sustainable,
local services. Its fourth, makes grants
to support the rehabilitation of
offenders and reduce the collateral
consequences of their imprisonment
for their families, with the aim of
reducing reoffending. Running
alongside these programmes, the Trust
makes grants to support disadvantaged
young people providing small
sums for practical items such as
interview clothes, course fees, tools,
travel costs etc. What does the futur e hold for
the Trust?
How can someone find out more
about the charity and how to
apply? www.cfct.org.uk
Information about the Trust and
its user-friendly online application
process is available on its website
www.cfct.org.uk. The Trust operates
with a small part-time staff team,
so it isn’t always possible to reach
us by phone, but we respond
quickly to questions by email
[e-mail]
Ten years ago, the trustees took the
strategic decision to share more of the
Trust’s assets, spending capital as well
as income, in full recognition that this
could impact on the Trust’s ability to
make grants in perpetuity. The
Trustees firmly believe that tackling
today’s socio-economic problems is of
paramount importance. Moreover,
making grants to support the people
of Kent today will empower them to
be well-placed to tackle the problems
of tomorrow.