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How to Apply
This section outlines the necessary criteria and steps for submitting an application to the ALBORADA Trust.
We encourage potential applicants to familiarise themselves with our requirements and ensure alignment with our mission and objectives.
Our Process
1
CHECK
ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA
Before starting an application, please confirm that your organisation meets our requirements.
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Before starting an application, please confirm that your organisation meets the following requirements:
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Registered Charity: Your organisation must be registered with the UK Charity Commission.
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Project Alignment: The proposed project must align with one of our eight focus sectors.
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Funding Minimum: The grant request must be for a minimum of £25,000, ideally for projects supporting a sustainable, long-term partnership.
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New Applicants: If this is your first time applying, please contact the Trust team to discuss your organisation and project before submitting a formal application.
Gather all required documents for submission, which will be detailed in each phase of the application.
2
ONLINE APPLICATION: PHASE I
Eligible organisations can begin the application process by submitting Phase 1 of our online application.​
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This preliminary form will capture essential details about your charity, your project, and financials, which are used to determine alignment with our funding priorities.
Required Documents for Phase 1:
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UK Charity Commission registration number
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Recent audited accounts
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Summary of your charity’s mission and objectives
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Project overview and intended outcomes
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Financial details, including annual income, expenditure, and reserves
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Details of other funders supporting the project, if applicable
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Please ensure all information is complete, accurate, and carefully proofread before submission.
3
WAIT FOR INITIAL REVIEW
After submitting your Phase 1 application, our team will conduct an initial review.
The Director and Executive Assistant will assess your charity’s eligibility, mission alignment, and project potential.
After submitting your Phase 1 application, our team will conduct an initial review.
The Director and Executive Assistant will assess your charity’s eligibility, mission alignment, and project potential.
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If your application proceeds to the next stage, we will invite you to complete Phase 2. Please wait to be contacted to proceed.
Only a select number of applications proceed to this stage annually.
4
ONLINE
APPLICATION: PHASE II
Phase II allows for a more comprehensive understanding of your charity and the specific project.
This stage requires additional details on project goals, measurements of success, and evidence of your charity’s impact over the past three years.
Required Documents for Phase II:
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Detailed project proposal, including specific objectives and success measures
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Evidence of project impact from the last three years
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Organisational structure and team leading the project
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Geographical focus of the project and details on any international affiliates
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Anticipated timeline for delivering impact reports
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The link to Phase II will be provided upon invitation.
5
MEETING
BY INVITATION
A member of the ALBORADA team will meet with you to discuss your applications prior to deciding whether or not the application will be presented to the Trustees.
After receiving your Phase II application, our team will conduct a review.
The Director and Executive Assistant will assess your charity’s eligibility, mission alignment, financials, charitable impact and project potential.
If your application proceeds to the next stage, we will invite you to a meeting.
Only a select number of applications proceed to this stage annually.
Please wait to be contacted to proceed.
6
TRUSTEE REVIEW & DECISION
The final review and decision-making process takes place at the Trust’s twice yearly Board meetings, held in spring and autumn.
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Successful applicants will be contacted
In the final stage, your complete application will be presented to our Board of Trustees for a detailed review. This occurs at the Trust’s twice yearly meetings, held in the spring and autumn. The Trustees will assess the project’s potential for significant, sustainable impact and alignment with our mission.
Successful applications are awarded funding and are expected to comply with grant terms, including interim and final impact reporting.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for funding, please ensure the following criteria are met:
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Your organisation must be a registered charity in the UK, with active registration under the Charity Commission.
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Proposed projects must align with one of our eight sectors.
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New applicants should initiate contact with the Trust team prior to submitting a formal application.
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Grant requests should be for a minimum of £25,000, and ideally for amounts that support the development of a long-term partnership.
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Who can apply for a grant?The ALBORADA Trust considers applications from charities registered in the UK, with active status under the Charity Commission. Applicants should ensure that their projects align with the Trust’s primary focus areas, as listed above. We are unable to consider applications from non-UK organisations or those outside our funding priorities.
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Does the Trust support political or religious activities?No, the Trust does not fund projects related to political or religious activities. We prioritise research, welfare, and humanitarian projects that align directly with our mission and are free from political or religious goals.
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Is there a minimum grant amount?Yes, the minimum funding request is £25,000. While there is no set maximum, applicants should ensure their request is proportionate to their project’s scale and consider how it could support a potential long-term partnership with the Trust.
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When can we apply?Applications are accepted year-round, but to be considered at the Spring and Autumn Trustee meetings, they must be received before the end of March and November, respectively. The Trustees meet twice a year to review applications submitted by these deadlines.
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How do we apply?To begin, carefully review the Trust’s guidelines on the website. For first-time applicants, initial contact with our team is recommended to ensure your proposal aligns with our objectives. New applicants are advised to keep initial funding requests modest to foster a relationship over time.
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My application has been declined. Can I get some feedback?Due to limited resources, we are unable to provide detailed feedback on individual applications. However, we encourage you to carefully review our priorities and funding criteria, as outlined on our website, before reapplying.
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Can we reapply if our application was unsuccessful?Yes, organisations may reapply if their initial application is unsuccessful. Before reapplying, we suggest reviewing the Trust’s funding priorities and assessing whether your proposal aligns closely with these objectives. Multiple grants may be awarded to the same organisation over time if the projects demonstrate impact and relevance to the Trust’s aims.
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Our application is urgent. What can we do?The Trustees meet twice annually, in the Spring and Autumn, and applications need to be lodged in good time to be considered at the respective meeting. If your application is urgent, we recommend contacting us via email to discuss your situation and confirm whether we can accommodate your timeline. However, please note that we generally work on pre-set schedules.
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My organisation is new and doesn't yet have a set of audited accounts. Are we eligible to apply?To be eligible, you must be a UK-registered charity with a record of proper governance, and generally, we prefer applicants with established financial records. If you’re newly registered and do not have audited accounts yet, consider first developing a modest funding relationship with us to build credibility and history over time.
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What factors increase the likelihood of receiving a grant?Applications that align closely with our key priorities are given higher priority. We value proposals that demonstrate need, clear impact, and involve the most appropriate individuals or organisations for the work. Initial modest funding requests and proposals from charities with whom we can establish a long-term relationship are viewed favourably.
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Does the Trust provide continuous or multi-year funding?Grants are typically awarded for individual projects and may cover durations from one to five years, depending on the scope and impact potential. Continuous or long-term funding is not guaranteed; each project is evaluated independently. If your project requires multi-year support, please specify this in your proposal.
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Does the Trust consider match funding?Yes, we welcome projects with additional funding sources, as long as they align with our objectives. If your project involves match funding, please ensure that all necessary funding is secured before beginning work.
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What should we do if there is an incident or misconduct to report?Any significant changes, legal issues, or misconduct within your organisation, including fraud, must be promptly reported to the Trust. We also require notification if your charity’s status or financial situation changes. In cases of misconduct or misallocated funds, the Trust may request repayment of the grant.
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Do we need to report on the project’s impact?Yes, the Trust requires regular updates on the progress and impact of funded projects. We may also request specific information or conduct periodic reviews, which should be fulfilled as part of your grant agreement. In addition, the Trust’s support may need to be acknowledged in any project-related public materials.