Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Gosling Foundation

The Gosling Foundation is a private grant-making foundation based in the United Kingdom, established in 1985 by the late Sir Donald Gosling. Since its creation, the foundation has awarded over £100 million in grants to a wide range of organisations. Its giving is rooted in Sir Donald’s lifelong connection to the Royal Navy and his strong interest in helping young people develop resilience, confidence and life skills through challenging experiences.

The foundation focuses its support on two principal areas: organisations connected with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and youth-focused organisations across the UK. Within these broad themes, it funds registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), community interest companies (CICs), and units or establishments of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines that operate in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Gosling Foundation typically supports time-limited projects rather than unrestricted or core funding. Eligible costs include project delivery expenses, capital projects such as new buildings, extensions, refurbishments and recreational spaces, as well as equipment, furniture, salaries tied specifically to the project, and events that directly benefit target beneficiaries. The foundation does not fund individuals, general running costs, professional fees, medical or health-related projects, or very large charities with incomes above a defined threshold.

Within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines focus area, the foundation funds organisations and initiatives that support serving personnel, reservists and their families. Examples include projects that improve quality of life on bases and ships, refurbish mess decks, provide sports opportunities and equipment, deliver community events for families, enhance access to support services such as helplines, and offer retraining opportunities as personnel transition to civilian life.

In its youth strand, the foundation backs maritime youth organisations, physical activity clubs and programmes, youth groups such as Sea Cadets, Scouts and Guides, performing arts groups, and schemes that encourage resilience, self-sufficiency and initiative. It also funds challenge and award schemes, and mentoring or training programmes aimed at improving career prospects for young people, particularly in deprived communities. Beneficiaries are generally aged up to 21 years.

Applications are made via online forms, with distinct pathways for Royal Navy & Royal Marines projects, general applicants, and Sea Cadet units (the latter through The Gosling Foundation Cadet Fund for smaller grants). All applicants must first complete an eligibility quiz before accessing the full application form. Grants usually start at £5,000, and the trustees expect organisations to assemble funding from multiple sources rather than rely entirely on The Gosling Foundation.

Submissions are assessed by the trustees against the foundation’s objects, ethos and available resources. Applications are accepted year-round, and the foundation aims to respond within around six weeks, while Cadet Fund applications have set deadlines. Single-year funding is the norm, though multi-year support may occasionally be offered in exceptional cases. Successful applicants are required to provide a grant report on completion of the funded project, contributing to the foundation’s transparency and accountability.

Sir Donald Gosling created The Gosling Foundation after building a successful business career, most notably through National Car Parks (NCP). His deep ties to the Royal Navy shaped the foundation’s priorities and long-term commitment to naval communities and maritime charities. Following his death in 2019, leadership of the foundation passed to his son, Adam Gosling, who now chairs the board of trustees. The trustees continue to steward the foundation’s resources to sustain Sir Donald’s philanthropic legacy in support of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and the development of young people across the UK.