Bernard Morris Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £90,789 (2024-25)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (discretionary grants)
• Grant Range: Unknown (small-medium scale based on annual expenditure)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with Oxford connections

Contact Details

Address: 5 Wolvercote Green, Oxford, OX2 8BD

Phone: 01865 516593

Website: None

Overview

The Bernard Morris Charitable Trust, established in 1973, is a discretionary grant-making trust managed by six trustees from the Ryde family. With annual expenditure of approximately £90,789 (2024-25), the trust makes donations to needy individuals and institutions as the trustees determine appropriate. The trust operates without a public application process, distributing grants according to either written directions from the settlor or at the trustees' uncontrolled discretion. Based in Wolvercote, Oxford, the trust has demonstrated support for cultural organizations such as the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and maintains connections to Oxford's Jewish community through trustee involvement. The trust's income is volatile, ranging from £10,103 to £48,909 in recent years, with consistent spending from capital reserves to maintain grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates as a discretionary fund without formal grant programs. Grants are made at trustees' discretion to both individuals and organizations.

Priority Areas

Based on Charity Commission classifications and known activities:

• General charitable purposes
• Religious activities (particularly Jewish community support)
• Children and young people
• People with disabilities
• Arts and culture (confirmed support for Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Poverty reduction and inequality reduction

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly documented.

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Governance and Leadership

All six trustees are members of the Ryde family:

• Simon Alan Ryde - Also trustee of The Oxford Synagogue and Jewish Centre Limited
• Alison Laraine Ryde - Appointed 23 August 2013
• Benjamin Ryde - Appointed 28 November 2014
• Jacob Ryde - Appointed 07 April 2020
• Joshua Seth Ryde - Appointed 07 April 2020
• Jessica Ryde

No trustees receive remuneration or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Bernard Morris Charitable Trust operates as a discretionary trust where grants are distributed either according to written directions from the settlor to the trustees, or at the trustees' uncontrolled discretion in the absence of such direction. The trust does not maintain a website, online application portal, or published grant guidelines.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustees' discretion without a formal application or decision cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as there is no application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this trust operates without a public application process, traditional “success factors” do not apply. However, analysis of the trust's known activities suggests:

Known Grant Recipients:

• Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra (publicly acknowledged supporter)

Funding Patterns:

• Strong Oxford and Oxfordshire connections
• Interest in arts and cultural organizations
• Likely support for Jewish community causes (based on trustee connections)
• Support for children, young people, and people with disabilities
• Annual expenditure consistently around £90,000-£107,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This trust cannot be approached through standard grant application procedures
• Family trust with Oxford focus: All six trustees are from the Ryde family and based in Oxford
• Multiple charitable interests: Supports diverse causes including arts/culture, religious activities, disability support, and children/youth services
• Known cultural supporter: Publicly acknowledged as a supporter of Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra
• Jewish community connections: Trustee involvement with Oxford Synagogue suggests potential support for Jewish causes
• Small-medium scale funding: Annual expenditure around £90,000 suggests multiple small-to-medium grants
• Not accessible for most grant writers: Unless your organization has an existing relationship with the Ryde family or operates in their known areas of interest in Oxford, this trust is unlikely to be a viable funding prospect

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The St James's Trust Settlement
• The Burry Charitable Trust
• The Balney Charitable Trust
• John James Underdown Charitable Trust
• The Margarethe Charitable Trust
• THE STELLA AND ALEXANDER MARGULIES CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Doouss Charitable Trust
• THE J AND H ORLANDER TRUST
• THE ZOOM ZOOM TRUST
• THE HAWERBY TRUST

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Bernard Morris Charitable Trust. Charity number 266532. Accessed 27 January 2026. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=266532&subid=0

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Trustees page. Accessed 27 January 2026. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/266532/trustees

1. Giving is Great - Bernard Morris Charitable Trust Charity Factsheet. Accessed 27 January 2026. https://givingisgreat.org/charitydetail/?regNo=266532

1. Charity Choice - Bernard Morris Charitable Trust profile. Accessed 27 January 2026. https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/bernard-morris-charitable-trust-154470

1. Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra - Trusts and Foundations. Accessed 27 January 2026. https://oxfordphil.com/trusts-and-foundations/