Aspen Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,370,671 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (trustee discretionary)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

• Phone: 01865407297
• Email: robin.buxton@btinternet.com
• Website: None
• Address: The Manor House, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RA

Overview

The Aspen Trust is a private grant-making foundation established in 2014 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). With annual expenditure of £1.37 million in 2024, the trust operates on a discretionary basis, making grants to both individuals and organisations. The trust was founded to continue the philanthropic legacy of Sir Martin Wood (1927-2021) and Lady Audrey Wood, who co-founded three major environmental and educational charities: Earth Trust, The Oxford Trust, and Sylva Foundation. In October 2024, the trust received transferred funds from the Patsy Wood Trust, consolidating family philanthropic activities. The trustees have resolved to give preference to charities that Sir Martin and Lady Wood have been closely involved with in the past.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The trust operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programmes. Grants are made to both individuals and organisations aligned with the Wood family's philanthropic interests.

Priority Areas

Based on the trustees' stated policy and the Wood family's established charitable interests:

• Environmental conservation and nature protection
• Science education and STEM initiatives
• Innovation and enterprise development
• Sustainable forestry and woodland management
• Public access to countryside and green spaces
• Organisations previously supported by Sir Martin and Lady Wood

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but unlikely to fund activities outside their established areas of interest in environmental conservation, science education, and innovation.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by six trustees, all serving without remuneration:

• Dr Jonathan Altham Wood - Chair (appointed November 2014)
• Dr Robin David Buxton MBE - Trustee (appointed November 2014), also trustee of Ecological Continuity Trust, patron of Earth Trust, and former Chair of Patsy Wood Trust
• Sarah Margaret Buxton - Trustee (appointed November 2014), also trustee of Reconnect charity
• Audrey Wood - Trustee (appointed November 2014), Lady Audrey Wood, co-founder with Sir Martin Wood of Earth Trust, Oxford Trust, and Sylva Foundation
• Dr Andrew Buxton - Trustee (appointed April 2024)
• Nicholas Wood - Trustee (appointed April 2024)

How to Apply to Aspen Trust

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made entirely at the trustees' discretion, with preference given to charities that Sir Martin and Lady Wood have been closely involved with in the past. The trust does not maintain a website or accept unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made at trustees' discretion without a formal application timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust does not operate a competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no formal application process exists.

Application Success Factors

As this is a private discretionary trust without a public application process, traditional success factors do not apply. Organisations most likely to receive support are those that:

• Have existing connections to the Wood family's charitable legacy
• Are aligned with Earth Trust, The Oxford Trust, or Sylva Foundation's mission
• Work in environmental conservation, science education, or sustainable forestry
• Have been previously supported by Sir Martin and Lady Wood
• Are known to current trustees through their other charitable work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation with no public application process
• Grants are made entirely at trustees' discretion
• Strong preference for organisations previously supported by the Wood family
• Focus areas include environmental conservation, science education, and innovation
• The trust spends significantly more than its annual income, suggesting it operates from an endowment
• Organisations seeking support would need existing connections to the trustees or alignment with the Wood family's established charitable interests
• The recent absorption of Patsy Wood Trust funds suggests consolidation of family philanthropic activities

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Sr & Ph Southall Trust
• The De Brye Charitable Trust
• The Northwick Trust
• The Schroder Foundation
• The Newcore Foundation
• The Rowse Family Trust
• The Wands Charitable Trust
• Toby And Regina Wyles Charitable Trust
• Barnsbury Charitable Trust
• Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - Aspen Trust main page: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5055346 (Accessed: December 2, 2025)
• UK Charity Commission - Trustees information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5055346/trustees (Accessed: December 2, 2025)
• Earth Trust - Sister Charities: https://earthtrust.org.uk/about/our-story/sister-charities/ (Accessed: December 2, 2025)
• The Oxford Trust - Our Sister Charities: https://theoxfordtrust.co.uk/about-us/our-sister-charities/ (Accessed: December 2, 2025)
• Science Oxford - Sir Martin Wood obituary: https://scienceoxford.com/sir-martin-wood-engineer-philanthropist-and-conservationist-1927-2021/ (Accessed: December 2, 2025)
• UK Charity Commission - Patsy Wood Trust: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4044693 (Accessed: December 2, 2025)