The Golsoncott Foundation is a registered UK charity (1070885) that furthers artistic excellence and promotes education in the arts. Recently we have supported new writing, theatre, music, ballet, and visual art.

The Foundation was established in 1998 from the estate of artist and sculptor Rachel Reckitt (1908-1995).

Awards and eligibility

The trustees are Josephine Lively (Chair); Isobel Wick; Stephen Wick; Eliza Thompson; and Emilio Salice.

The trustees meet four times annually, typically in late February, May, August, and November. Applications that are judged suitable, after a first appraisal, are then considered at a quarterly determination meeting.

The current window for applications, May 2026, is now closed. We are welcoming applications for our next round in August 2026.

Grants do not exceed £3,000 and are typically not given on a recurrent basis.

Kindly note that we cannot accept applications from: individuals seeking funding for academic or vocational courses, although we will consider applications from institutions for general bursary funds; schools; and museums, galleries, theatres, arts complexes, or other projects running capital appeals.

Applying for a grant

Applications should be submitted at least three weeks before a scheduled trustees’ meeting (late February, May, August, November).

The deadline may be brought forward if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage you to apply early in the quarter. The sooner your application arrives, the more carefully it can be considered at first appraisal.

There is no set application form, but please include in your submission (ideally as a PDF) the following information:

1. A clear and concise statement of the project. Indicate whether the award you are seeking is for the project as a whole or for a particular component, and state the status of the applicant or organisation (charity, CIC, registered company, etc).
2. Evidence of a clear public benefit. How does the project conform with the trust’s purpose to ‘promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public in the arts’?
3. The amount requested, given either as a specific figure or as a band. Please state whether this is the only source of funding you are seeking, and list all other sources approached, including any that have declined.
4. Heritage Lottery Foundation (HLF) match-funding, where applicable. If the grant requested forms part of the match-funding required following an HLF award, please state the amount of that award and the percentage of match-funding required.
5. An annual report and accounts, wherever possible, together with any other supporting information you consider relevant.

How to apply

Please send applications by email to golsoncott@btinternet.com. Accounts and any other supporting information may also be supplied by email.

What happens next

Most applications are subject to a first appraisal. Applicants who do not pass this stage will be notified. In almost all cases, the trustees reach their decisions at the quarterly determination meeting, and applicants are notified by post or email within the following week.

Reapplying

We will not consider further applications for at least 12 months after the outcome of the previous application, whether successful or not.