Anson Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £380,000 - £420,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £20,000 (based on known grants)
• Geographic Focus: Buckinghamshire (with some national presence organizations considered)

Contact Details

Address: The Lilies, High Street, Weedon, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4NS

Website: www.ansoncharitabletrust.org.uk

Email: mail@ansoncharitabletrust.org.uk

Phone: 01296 640331

Overview

The Anson Charitable Trust was established in May 2005 as a vehicle to enable the Anson family to strategically support and fund not-for-profit and charitable organisations. The trust is entirely funded by the Anson family and had a total income of £300,000 and expenditure of £380,621 in the financial year ending April 2024 (previous year: income £452,023, expenditure £418,910). The trust's distinctive approach focuses on providing multi-year funding for locally based not-for-profit organisations and charities, especially those based in Buckinghamshire. The trust is an active member of the Buckinghamshire Strategic Funders Group, collaborating with other major funders including The Rothschild Foundation and Heart of Bucks Community Foundation on collective place-based initiatives addressing challenging issues affecting Buckinghamshire communities, including poverty, mental health provision, and representation of minority ethnic groups.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Anson Charitable Trust does not appear to have formally structured grant programs with specific names or tiers. Instead, the trust operates with discretionary grant-making powers, awarding grants on a case-by-case basis. The trust provides both capital and revenue funding and is known for its multi-year funding approach.

Known Grant Examples:

• Capital projects: £5,000 - £20,000 (e.g., Camphill MK housing project)
• Collaborative funding initiatives: contributions to pooled funds (e.g., £160,000 joint fund for poverty alleviation)
• Core/revenue funding: supports ongoing operational costs of established organizations

Application Method: The trust does not appear to have a public, open application process. Grants are made through trustee discretion and relationship-based decision-making.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grants awarded, the trust focuses on:

• Adults with learning disabilities and autism - capital projects for accessible housing and community support
• Poverty alleviation and financial insecurity - practical support for residents in areas of high inequality (Aylesbury, Wycombe, Chesham)
• Vulnerable young people - youth services supporting disadvantaged youth in Buckinghamshire
• Community infrastructure - projects that strengthen local voluntary sector capacity
• Collaborative initiatives - partnerships between multiple charities addressing systemic issues

The trust shows particular interest in:

• Organizations based in Buckinghamshire with strong local roots
• Multi-year strategic projects requiring sustained funding
• Collaborative partnerships addressing complex social issues
• Capital projects that create lasting community assets
• Organizations with whom trustees have developed personal connections and understanding

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Student studies or educational grants for individuals
• Very small charities without a local Buckinghamshire or national presence
• Organizations without established track records or governance structures

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Governance and Leadership

The Anson Charitable Trust has three trustees:

George Rupert Anson - Trustee

George Anson served as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire (2021-2022), during which time he developed relationships with many local charities. He has a background in finance, having worked for HarbourVest Partners as a founder and partner for 27 years overseeing their European and Asian activities, retiring in 2017. He has lived in north Buckinghamshire since 1990 and in Weedon since 1999. He is also a trustee of the Buckinghamshire Historic Churches Trust and Lord Fortescue's Charity, and previously served on the board of Asthma UK. Speaking about Camphill MK, George stated he “got to know the charity well when he was High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire” and expressed strong support for their services for adults with disabilities.

Kirsty Anson - Trustee

Member of the Anson family; specific background information not publicly available.

Tracey Byard - Trustee (appointed January 2023)

Recent appointment to the board; specific background information not publicly available.

The trust operates under a Trust Deed dated 12 May 2005, which gives trustees broad discretionary powers to apply capital and income for exclusively charitable objects and purposes in any part of the world as the trustees may in their discretion think fit.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Anson Charitable Trust does not have a public, open application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on relationships and knowledge of organizations developed through the trustees' involvement in the Buckinghamshire community.

Based on known grant recipients, the trust appears to identify potential beneficiaries through:

• Direct trustee engagement and relationship-building (e.g., during George Anson's tenure as High Sheriff)
• Membership and participation in the Buckinghamshire Strategic Funders Group
• Collaborative funding initiatives with other local foundations
• Established connections within the Buckinghamshire voluntary sector

Organizations are unlikely to succeed with unsolicited “cold” applications. The trust makes grants to organizations that trustees know well and have confidence in through direct experience.

Getting on Their Radar

• Buckinghamshire Strategic Funders Group participation: The trust is an active member of this collaborative, which meets monthly. Organizations working on place-based initiatives in Buckinghamshire addressing poverty, mental health, or minority ethnic representation may come to the trust's attention through this forum. Consider engaging with other members of the group (Rothschild Foundation, Heart of Bucks Community Foundation, The Clare Foundation) who may facilitate introductions.

• High Sheriff connections: George Anson's tenure as High Sheriff (2021-2022) was a key period during which he developed relationships with organizations like Camphill MK and Youth Concern. Future High Sheriffs of Buckinghamshire may provide similar networking opportunities.

• Demonstrable Buckinghamshire presence: The trust explicitly supports organizations with either a strong local Buckinghamshire base or established national presence. Organizations should have visible, meaningful activity in the county and ideally connections to Weedon or north Buckinghamshire where the Anson family is based.

• Track record of good governance: The trust does not support “very small charities,” suggesting they look for organizations with established governance structures, financial management capabilities, and demonstrated impact.

Decision Timeline

No public information available regarding decision timelines. Given the trust's relationship-based approach, the timeline likely varies significantly depending on when trustees become aware of an organization and develop confidence in its work. Multi-year funding commitments suggest thorough due diligence processes.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the invitation-only nature of the trust's grant-making, traditional success rates are not applicable.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the trust's discretionary, relationship-based grant-making approach.

Application Success Factors

Since this funder operates on a discretionary, relationship-based model rather than an open application process, the key success factors differ from traditional grant-making:

1. Strong Buckinghamshire Presence

The trust explicitly states it provides multi-year funding for “locally based not-for-profit organisations and charities especially those based in Buckinghamshire.” Organizations without meaningful Buckinghamshire presence (or established national profile) are unlikely to be considered. Recent grants have supported organizations in Aylesbury, Wycombe, Chesham, and Milton Keynes.

2. Trustee Knowledge and Confidence

George Anson's statement about Camphill MK—that he “got to know the charity well when he was High Sheriff”—demonstrates that trustees make grants to organizations they understand deeply through personal engagement. Cold applications are unlikely to succeed; relationship-building over time is essential.

3. Strategic, Multi-Year Vision

The trust's stated focus on “multi-year funding” suggests they prefer supporting organizations with strategic plans requiring sustained investment rather than one-off project costs. Recent capital grants for Camphill MK's housing project exemplify this preference for projects creating lasting infrastructure.

4. Collaborative Approach

The trust's participation in the Buckinghamshire Strategic Funders Group and joint £160,000 poverty alleviation fund demonstrates interest in collaborative funding models. Organizations that can articulate how their work complements other local initiatives and are willing to work in partnership may be more attractive.

5. Addressing Inequality and Disadvantage

Recent grants focus heavily on vulnerable populations: adults with disabilities, young people at risk, residents experiencing poverty. Projects addressing “prevalent inequality” in specific Buckinghamshire towns appear particularly aligned with current priorities.

6. Good Governance and Track Record

The explicit exclusion of “very small charities” indicates the trust looks for organizations with established governance, financial management, and proven delivery capacity. Organizations should have regulatory compliance in order and demonstrable impact.

7. Capital and Infrastructure Investment

Recent grants include significant capital funding (£20,000 to Camphill MK for housing construction). The trust appears willing to fund physical infrastructure and assets, not just service delivery, where these create lasting community benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This trust does not accept unsolicited applications - relationship-building through Buckinghamshire networks is essential before any funding request
• Buckinghamshire location is critical - organizations must have genuine, meaningful presence in the county (particularly in areas like Aylesbury, Wycombe, Chesham) or established national profile
• Multi-year funding approach - position your organization's needs as strategic, sustained investments rather than one-off project costs
• Trustee relationships matter most - George Anson's High Sheriff connections led to grants; identify opportunities to engage trustees through sector events, collaborative funders' forums, and local civic activities
• Collaborative funding is valued - organizations involved in partnerships with other local charities or participating in joint initiatives may have stronger visibility
• Capital funding is available - if your organization needs infrastructure investment (buildings, equipment, facilities), this trust has funded such projects alongside revenue costs
• Demonstrate impact on inequality - frame your work in terms of addressing specific disadvantages faced by Buckinghamshire residents in areas of deprivation

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Scouloudi Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND
• Army Benevolent Fund
• THE VETERANS' FOUNDATION
• King Charles III Charitable Fund
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• The Will Charitable Trust
• Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited
• THE CHILDWICK TRUST
• The Dulverton Trust
• The Taylor-Marsh Foundation
• John James Bristol Foundation
• P F Charitable Trust
• THE SCREWFIX FOUNDATION
• The Big Give Trust
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• Broome Family Charitable Trust
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION

References

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities, “ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST - 1111010,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4017942

1. Charity Commission, “Accounts and Annual Returns - ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4017942/accounts-and-annual-returns

1. Charity Commission, “Trustees - ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4017942/trustees

1. Giving is Great, “ANSON CHARITABLE TRUST | Charity Factsheet,” https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1111010

1. Anson Charitable Trust website, www.ansoncharitabletrust.org.uk

1. Camphill MK, “Three National Donors Make Large Grants to Camphill MK,” https://camphillmk.co.uk/three-national-donors-make-large-grants-to-camphill-mk/

1. Bucks Radio, “£160k to tackle poverty in Aylesbury, Wycombe and Chesham,” https://www.bucks.radio/news/local-news/160k-to-tackle-poverty-in-aylesbury-wycombe-and-chesham/

1. Funders Collaborative Hub, “Buckinghamshire Strategic Funders Group,” https://www.funderscollaborativehub.org.uk/collaborations/buckinghamshire-strategic-funders-group

1. Youth Concern, “Funders,” https://www.youthconcern.org.uk/support-us/funders/

1. High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, “George Anson – High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire,” https://www.highsheriffofbuckinghamshire.com/meetup/george-anson/

1. Heart of Bucks Community Foundation, “Inspiring Buckinghamshire - George Anson,” https://heartofbucks.org/inspiring-buckinghamshire-george-anson/