Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £13.9 million (2024/25)
• Charitable Expenditure: £3.75 million
• Decision Time: 2 weeks (under £10,000); up to 3 months (£10,000+)
• Grant Range: No minimum - £40,000+ (larger grants by discussion)
• Geographic Focus: Cambridge University Hospitals (Addenbrooke's and The Rosie)
• Application Method: Rolling basis via online portal

Contact Details

Website: www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Phone: 01223 217757

Email (general): hello@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Email (grants): fundsandgrants@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Address: Box 126, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

For grant inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact the grants team before submitting applications.

Overview

Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT), registered charity number 1170103, is the only registered charity dedicated to supporting Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Addenbrooke's and the Rosie hospitals. With annual income of £13.9 million and charitable expenditure of £3.75 million (2024/25), ACT connects donors with causes that support projects and facilities beyond NHS funding boundaries. The charity focuses on achieving the highest possible standards in patient experience, clinical care, research, and education. Since 1994, ACT has funded major projects including a £1.5 million surgical robot, a £250,000 liver perfusion machine making Addenbrooke's the first UK hospital to routinely use this technology, and £7.5 million towards the Rosie Maternity Hospital extension. In 2024, Charles Packshaw became Chair of Trustees, bringing extensive experience from Prostate Cancer UK and over 30 years in banking. Chief Executive Shelly Thake emphasizes ACT's focus on bringing “firsts to Cambridge that save lives” and investing in early-career medical professionals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Patient Benefit Grants

• Amount: No cap specified; recommend contacting ACT for grants over £25,000
• Purpose: Support projects beyond NHS core funding that benefit patients, relatives, carers, or CUH staff
• Application: Rolling basis via ACT Funding Portal; no deadlines
• Decision Timeline: Under £10,000 reviewed weekly (decision within 2 weeks); £10,000+ reviewed monthly by Professional Advisory Committee

2. Innovation Grants

• Amount: Typically up to £40,000
• Duration: Projects up to two years
• Purpose: New and innovative ways of providing healthcare through product or process innovation
• Application: Twice yearly via ACT Funding Portal
• Decision: Innovation for Patient Benefit grant panel

3. Research Grants

• Amount: Typically up to £25,000; larger grants require prior discussion with Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Chair
• Purpose: Medical research to improve patient care, support innovative research and pilot projects, build clinical research capacity
• Application: Rolling basis via ACT Funding Portal
• Decision: RAC meets 4 times per year; comprises research experts from multiple disciplines

4. Cambridge Clinical Research Fellowships Scheme

• Purpose: Investing in promising medical professionals early in their careers
• Details: Contact ACT for specific information

Priority Areas

ACT funds projects that are:

• Over and above NHS funding responsibilities - essential requirement
• Demonstrating clear patient benefit - core criterion
• Supporting innovation - new technologies, treatments, and approaches
• Research and development - pump-priming grants and bridging funding gaps
• Enhanced patient experience - calm spaces, wellbeing projects, improved facilities
• Cutting-edge equipment - high-tech medical devices unavailable through NHS funding
• Staff development - early-career research support, specialist training

Recent funded projects include: world-first body-worn device for Parkinson's disease inpatients, wayfinding app (CUH Directions), pre-surgery preparation app, £1.1 million Personalised Breast Cancer Programme, and £216,000 for Paediatric and Neonatal Decision Support Retrieval Service.

What They Don't Fund

ACT explicitly excludes:

• Core NHS responsibilities - projects that should be funded through standard NHS budgets
• Individual patient support - only group/systemic benefits are funded
• Alcohol, cash, or vouchers
• Staff social events - including Christmas parties and dinners (annual grant provided directly to hospital for staff recognition)
• Projects lacking clear patient benefit
• Retrospective funding - costs already incurred or commitments already made

Applications are unsuccessful when they don't demonstrate clear patient benefit, request funding for standard NHS responsibilities, or fail to meet compliance requirements.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Charles Packshaw (Chair) - Former Chair of Trustees at Prostate Cancer UK and Framlingham College; 30+ years banking experience at HSBC and Lazard
• Dr Mike Knapton (Vice-Chair)
• Les Clifford (Honorary Treasurer)
• Dr Hugo Ford (NHS Link Trustee)
• Dr James Morrow (NHS Link Trustee)
• Additional trustees: James Stevens, Maria-Christina Peyman, Dr Catriona Crombie, William Fox, Claire Smith, Mousumi Bakshi

Senior Management Team

• Shelly Thake (Chief Executive)
• Claire Billing (Director of Fundraising)
• Paul White (Director of Communications & Impact)
• Martine Gabbitass (Director of Finance & Corporate Services)
• Tom Gull (Co-Director of Philanthropy)
• Marianne Richardson (Co-Director of Philanthropy)

Patron & President

• Countess of St Andrews (Patron)
• Dame Mary Archer DBE (President)

Leadership Quote: Charles Packshaw stated: "It was an honour to join the ACT Board of Trustees, and an even greater honour to be appointed Chair of Trustees. I am passionate about health, so I am delighted to be involved with a charity that makes such an enormous difference to the patients and staff of Addenbrooke's and The Rosie."

Chief Executive Shelly Thake emphasizes ACT's strategy of “investing in promising medical professionals early in their careers” bringing “potential breakthroughs in patient care and treatments” and highlights “the power of partnerships with supporters” in funding vital projects.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Contact

• ACT strongly encourages applicants to contact the grants team before submitting
• Email: fundsandgrants@act4addenbrookes.org.uk or phone: 01223 217757
• Discuss project ideas to ensure alignment with ACT priorities

Step 2: Portal Registration

• Apply through the ACT Funding Portal (accessible via act4addenbrookes.org.uk)
• One-time registration required for first-time users
• Once registered, can track application progress and submit future applications

Step 3: Complete Application

• Single “Charitable Funding Request Form” for all funding types
• Must demonstrate project is “over and above NHS funding responsibilities”
• Must show “clear benefit to patients”
• Requires CUH internal approvals based on funding amount
• Consult relevant CUH departments (IT, Estates, Procurement, Clinical Engineering, etc.) before applying

Step 4: Submission Timing

• Patient Benefit Grants: No deadline - submit anytime
• Innovation Grants: Check website for twice-yearly deadlines
• Research Grants: Rolling basis; applications roll over to next meeting if not considered

CRITICAL WARNING: Do NOT incur costs, commit to suppliers, or place orders before receiving approval. ACT cannot reimburse costs already incurred if application is unsuccessful.

Decision Timeline

Under £5,000:

• Initial response within 2 weeks
• Reviewed weekly by Funding Review Group

£5,000 - £9,999:

• Initial response within 2 weeks
• Full approval can take up to 3 months

£10,000+:

• Initial response within 2 weeks
• Reviewed monthly by Professional Advisory Committee (PAC)
• Full approval can take up to 3 months depending on value and complexity
• PAC is multi-disciplinary body of CUH and ACT staff, meets quarterly

Research Grants:

• Reviewed by Research Advisory Committee
• RAC meets 4 times per year
• Rolling consideration; applications not reviewed in one meeting roll to next

Innovation Grants:

• Innovation for Patient Benefit grant panel
• Meets twice per year

Success Rates

ACT reports that they “approve the majority of applications.” While specific percentages are not published, the charity is supportive of applications that clearly demonstrate patient benefit and fall outside core NHS responsibilities.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Unsuccessful applicants should contact fundsandgrants@act4addenbrookes.org.uk to discuss feedback and potential resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Based on ACT's published guidance and statements, successful applications share these characteristics:

1. Clear Patient Benefit

The single most important factor. Applications must articulate exactly how patients will benefit. Unsuccessful applications typically fail to demonstrate clear patient benefit. Focus on tangible improvements to patient experience, outcomes, or care quality.

2. Beyond NHS Core Funding

Projects must be genuinely “over and above NHS funding responsibilities.” ACT considers whether donors might view spending as “substituting for exchequer funding, especially for core services.” The charity explicitly states this is essential - applications for core NHS responsibilities are rejected.

3. Innovation and “Firsts”

Chief Executive Shelly Thake emphasizes ACT excels "by bringing 'firsts' to Cambridge that save lives." Applications demonstrating innovative approaches, new technologies, or pioneering treatments align with ACT's strategic focus. Examples include being the first UK hospital to routinely use liver perfusion machines, or introducing world-first body-worn devices for Parkinson's patients.

4. Early Engagement

ACT strongly recommends contacting the grants team before submitting applications. This allows discussion of project ideas, ensures alignment with priorities, and can prevent wasted effort on ineligible projects.

5. Internal Compliance

Successful applicants consult relevant CUH departments (IT, Estates, Procurement, Clinical Engineering, Infection Control, etc.) before applying. Pre-approval from CUH departments does not guarantee ACT funding, but lack of compliance can sink applications.

6. Appropriate Timing

Never incur costs or make commitments before approval. ACT explicitly states they “cannot reimburse costs that have already been incurred” if applications are unsuccessful. This demonstrates poor understanding of the process and raises governance concerns.

7. Long-term Impact

ACT invests in projects with lasting impact. The charity's 30-year history shows sustained support for major equipment purchases, research programs, and facility improvements that benefit multiple generations of patients.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact ACT before applying - Pre-application discussion is strongly encouraged and can save significant time
• Patient benefit is paramount - If you cannot clearly articulate how patients benefit, your application will likely fail
• NHS-plus projects only - Must be genuinely beyond core NHS funding; substituting for NHS budgets is explicitly excluded
• Innovation is valued - ACT prioritizes bringing “firsts” to Cambridge and investing in early-career medical professionals for breakthrough potential
• Fast decisions for smaller grants - Under £10,000 can receive decisions within 2 weeks; larger grants take up to 3 months
• No application deadlines for Patient Benefit Grants - Rolling basis provides flexibility for project-driven timelines
• Compliance is essential - Consult relevant CUH departments before applying and never commit to expenditure before approval
• Majority of applications succeed - ACT approves most applications that meet core criteria of patient benefit and beyond-NHS scope

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• British Heart Foundation
• Alzheimer's Research UK
• Cystic Fibrosis Trust
• P F Charitable Trust
• E B M Charitable Trust
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• Edith Murphy Foundation
• THE THOMAS J HORNE MEMORIAL TRUST
• Churches Conservation
• Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust
• HANDS OF HOPE
• JOHN HORNIMAN'S CHILDREN'S TRUST
• THE JESSIE SPENCER TRUST
• MARTIN CHARITABLE TRUST

References

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust website - Introduction to Funding. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/funding/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - How to Apply for Funding. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/how-to-apply-for-funding/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - ACT Patient Benefit Grants. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/act-patient-benefit-grants/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - ACT Innovation Grants. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/act-innovation-grants/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - ACT Research Grants. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/act-research-grants/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - Funding FAQs. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/funding-faqs/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Charity Commission - Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (1170103). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1170103&subid=0 (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - Our People. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/our-people/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - Publications. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/publications/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - Just some of the projects funded by ACT over the last 30 years. https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/just-some-of-the-projects-funded-by-act-over-the-last-30-years/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)

1. Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust - "Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust appoints new Chair of Trustees". https://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/addenbrookes-charitable-trust-appoints-new-chair-of-trustees/ (Accessed 14 January 2025)