General Application Guidelines

1. THE FUND'S POLICY

1.1 The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund is a registered charity which was established primarily to aid the research into learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected by learning disability by making grants to voluntary organisations working in this field.

1.2 Learning Disability We consider under learning disability the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, we consider projects concerning children or adults. Learning disability, thus defined, is our priority for funding. We do not give grants for research into or care of those with mental illness or dyslexia.

APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING

2.1 Funding is normally considered for capital and revenue costs and for both specific projects and for general running/core costs.

2.2 Grants are awarded for amounts from £250 and depend on a number of factors including the purpose, the total funding requirement and the potential sources of other funds including, in some cases, matching funding.

2.3 Normally one-off grants are awarded but exceptionally a new project may be funded over two or three years, subject to satisfactory reports of progress.

2.4 Grants should normally be taken up within one year of the issue of the grant offer letter which will include conditions relating to the release of the grant.

2.5 The following areas of work normally fall within the Fund's policy:

  • Capital building/renovation/refurbishment works for residential, nursing and respite care, and schools;
  • Employment schemes including woodwork, crafts, printing and horticulture;
  • Play schemes and play therapy schemes;
  • Day and social activities centres including building costs and running costs;
  • Support for families, including respite schemes;
  • Independent living schemes;
  • Support in the community schemes;
  • Swimming and hydro-therapy pools and snoezelen rooms.

2.6 We do not normally fund:

  • Hospices;
  • Minibuses except those for residential and/or day care services for the learning disabled;
  • Advocacy Projects;
  • Arts and theatre projects;
  • Physical disabilities unless accompanied by significant learning disabilities.

Printed Copies

If you would like a printed copy of the general application guidelines and application form please click here to download a PDF version. This will open Adobe Acrobat in a new window.

If you would like any further details, please contact us.