Applying for a grant
Please read our guidance carefully first.
We have a two-stage process starting with an expression of interest
The Nisbet Trust Expression of Interest Form
Eligibility
Applicants must be a registered charity, exempt charity, or community interest company benefitting communities in the Greater Bristol area.
Community Interest Companies must have been established for at least three years, with an annual income of more than £50,000 which should include at least 25% from trading.
Exclusions
The following are not eligible for support:
- Medical research
- Single condition medical charities
- Grants for Individuals
- Animal welfare charities
- Sponsorship
Trustees strongly favour applications from Bristol-based organisations. National charities applying for support for work in Bristol are less likely to be supported.
CICs whose core business model is substantially grant-reliant are unlikely to be successful.
Deadlines
Trustees usually meet quarterly at the end of January, April, July and October.
Application deadlines are 5pm on:
- Friday, 12th December, 2025
Please note in early 2026 we will be moving to an online application process.
- Friday, 13th March, 2026
- Friday, 12th June, 2026
- Friday, 18th September, 2026
Reporting
Small & Medium Grants
For single year grants, please send us a brief report at the end of your project, or after 12 months if we are supporting core costs.
For multi-year grants, please send a brief report towards the end of each 12 month period.
Your report should be no more than 2 pages long and should include both details of the number of people you have supported and the change or outcomes you have achieved with the funding.
To assist you we will send you a reminder with the link four weeks before the deadline.
Capital Grants
We will agree reporting conditions at the time of our grant.