A new chapter for Gilly's

As we prepare to open our 2026 grant round at the end of August, we'd like to share an important update about how we'll be directing our funding in future.

Like many organisations in the charity sector, we've seen first-hand how challenging fundraising has become. Small charities continue to face growing demand for their services whilst competing for increasingly limited funding opportunities. As a small charitable trust ourselves, we understand those challenges and have always admired the adaptability, resilience and creativity that smaller charities bring to their communities.

Over recent years, we've also seen a significant increase in applications to the Trust. While we're grateful that so many charities see value in our support, the reality is that the number of applications we receive now far exceeds the number of grants we can make.

We know that putting together a funding application takes time, energy and resources, all of which are in short supply for small charities. We never want organisations to invest that effort only to face very slim odds of success.

After careful consideration, we've therefore decided that from our 2026 grant round onwards, we'll focus our funding on charities operating in North Yorkshire with an annual income of less than £50,000.

For us, this isn't about reducing opportunities. It's about improving the support we can offer. By refining our focus, we can make the best use of our resources, build stronger relationships with organisations working in the communities closest to our trustees and ensure that applicants have a more realistic chance of securing funding.

We're also evolving our approach to grant-making. Alongside our commitment to supporting grassroots organisations, we'll be placing greater emphasis on development grants for charities that are ready to take their next step. This might include moving to new premises, developing services, strengthening organisational capacity, investing in new opportunities, or building a more sustainable future.

Small charities are often best placed to respond quickly and creatively to the needs of their communities. We want our funding to help them do exactly that.

We're incredibly proud of the charities we've supported across the UK over the years and grateful to everyone who has been part of the Trust's journey so far. As we enter this next chapter, we're excited to focus our support on helping small North Yorkshire charities thrive and grow.