# The Dobson Trust

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 283158 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/283158)
- Latest income: £1,627; spending £4,852
- What it funds: General charitable purposes
- Who it helps: Older people
- How it gives: Makes grants to individuals, Makes grants to organisations
- Area of operation: Medway
- Trustees: 4
- Last verified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/dobson-trust

The Trust was set up in 1981 by a bequest from Mr W. H. Dobson (a former Gillingham Borough Council engineer) for the purpose of providing enjoyment and welfare to elderly people in the Gillingham Borough Area. The trust exercise this duty by giving grants to groups providing welfare for the elderly, as well as making direct grants to individuals.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2025 | £1,627 | £4,852 | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2024 | £1,594 | £1,994 | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2023 | £1,593 | £1,568 | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2022 | £6,562 | £5,028 | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2021 | £5,563 | £6,440 | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> For the use, enjoyment and benefit of the aged people witin the borough of gillingham.

## What it funds

The Dobson Trust is registered under general charitable purposes for older people; the register records that it makes grants to individuals and makes grants to organisations. In its latest reported year The Dobson Trust reported income of £1,627 and spending of £4,852. Over its last 5 reported years, to 31 Mar 2025, it spent £19.9k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as Medway.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from The Dobson Trust in its sources (last checked 4 Nov 2026). It may fund by invitation only, or through programmes that OpenGrant's sources do not cover. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is The Dobson Trust open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 4 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from The Dobson Trust is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does The Dobson Trust fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as Medway.

### Does The Dobson Trust give grants to individuals?

Yes, according to the Charity Commission register, which records that The Dobson Trust makes grants to individuals as well as to organisations. Check its own guidance for who qualifies.

### How much does The Dobson Trust give each year?

The register does not break out The Dobson Trust's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 31 Mar 2025 was £4,852. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £3,976 a year.

### How large is The Dobson Trust?

In its latest reported year The Dobson Trust reported income of £1,627 and spending of £4,852.


## Guides

- [How to find grants for a UK charity: the complete guide](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/charity-grants-uk)
- [Trust fundraising prospect research: how to find out who funds charities like yours](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/trust-fundraising-prospect-research)
- [How to apply to the Garfield Weston Foundation: who it funds, typical awards and deadlines](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/how-to-apply-to-garfield-weston-foundation)