Burdens' Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 273535
• Annual Income: £82,223 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £88,655 (2024)
• Historical Giving: Several million pounds over 40+ years
• Grant Range: Modest grants by design (£195 - £30,000 documented)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily sub-Saharan Africa, with UK charitable work
• Decision Process: Trustee discretion - no public application process

Contact Details

Registered Office: Castlefield Partners Limited, Rodwell Tower, 111 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2HY

Email: susan.cohen@piccadillytrust.com

Phone: 0161 233 4890

Charity Commission: View Register Entry

Related Website: La Renaissance School (primary beneficiary)

Overview

Burdens' Charitable Foundation was established in 1977 by Mr. and Mrs. W.T. “Bill” Burden, founders of W.T. Burden Ltd, a specialist supplier to the civil engineering and construction industry. The Foundation was initially endowed with shares in the family business. Arthur Burden, son of the founders, became chairman in 1983 and was subsequently awarded an OBE for his services to charity.

With assets generating approximately £82,000 in annual income, the Foundation has donated several million pounds to charitable causes over its 40+ year history. The Foundation operates with 8 volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration. The principal aim has always been “the relief of human suffering, impairment and economic deprivation.”

The Foundation has been an investor in Castlefield Partners since 2002, counting this stake as “amongst its most successful financial decisions to date.” This partnership allows the Foundation to channel grants from Castlefield's clients and employee fundraising directly to charitable projects, particularly work supporting blind and visually impaired children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs. Documented grants include:

• La Renaissance School Support: £475 per visually impaired child annually, £195 per orphaned/poor child annually
• Infrastructure Development: £30,000 for secondary school construction in Burkina Faso
• Ongoing operational support: Regular funding for education and healthcare projects

Priority Areas

Primary Focus: Prevention and relief of acute poverty through education and healthcare, especially in sub-Saharan Africa

Priority Themes:

• Education for disadvantaged and disabled children
• Support for blind and visually impaired people
• Healthcare initiatives in developing countries
• Projects involving intermediate technology
• Small, highly focused groups with minimal administrative costs

What They Don't Fund

While there are no formal restrictions on charitable activities that can be supported, the Foundation's practice focuses heavily on international development work, particularly in Africa, rather than UK-based projects (though UK charities are supported).

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Governance and Leadership

Structure: Trust, established 6 April 1977

Current Governance: 8 Trustees, 1 Volunteer (2024)

Historical Leadership:

• W.T. “Bill” Burden (Founder and original trustee)
• Arthur Burden (Son of founder, became chairman 1983, awarded OBE for services to charity)
• Tony Burden (Referenced as founder and trustee in partnership materials)
• Kevin Hancock (Mentioned visiting Burkina Faso project)

Financial Partnership: The Foundation maintains a close relationship with Castlefield Partners, where it has been a shareholder since 2002. Tony Burden stated: “The partnership between Castlefield Investment Partners and Burdens Charitable Foundation plays a crucial role for BCF.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Foundation operates through trustee discretion and proactive identification of projects. Grant-making decisions are made at trustee meetings based on opportunities that align with the Foundation's mission.

Getting on Their Radar

Connection to Castlefield Partners: The Foundation channels grants from Castlefield's clients and employee fundraising. Organizations with connections to Castlefield's network may have opportunities for consideration.

Direct Approach with Site Visit: The La Renaissance example shows the Foundation values:

• Personal introductions through trusted intermediaries
• In-person site visits by trustees (Arthur Burden and Kevin Hancock visited Burkina Faso before funding)
• Direct meetings with project managers and stakeholders
• Demonstrated local partnerships

Contact: Enquiries can be directed to susan.cohen@piccadillytrust.com or via phone at 0161 233 4890.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented - decisions made at trustee meetings

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only nature

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Mission: Focus on poverty relief through education/healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly supporting blind/visually impaired populations

Operational Efficiency: The Foundation explicitly states preference for “small, highly focused groups, whose fund raising and administration costs are kept to a minimum”

Sustainability and Local Partnership: La Renaissance model demonstrates value placed on local collaboration, government partnership, and long-term sustainability plans

Personal Connection and Trust: Foundation's approach involves site visits, personal relationships, and trusted introductions

Modest Grant Requests: “The individual grants themselves have tended to be modest by design” - align requests with Foundation's £80,000 annual income

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No open application process - Success requires relationship building and trusted introductions rather than competitive applications
• Strong Africa focus - Primary activity centers on sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Burkina Faso
• Small-scale, high-impact preferred - Foundation explicitly favors modest grants to small, focused groups with minimal overhead
• Castlefield connection matters - Partnership with Castlefield Partners provides potential pathway for introductions
• Disability focus is key - Particular interest in supporting blind and visually impaired people through education
• Expect personal engagement - Trustees conduct site visits and meet project leaders before funding decisions
• Long-term commitment - La Renaissance supported for 16+ years suggests value in sustained relationships

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Sterry Family Foundation
• The Neon Foundation
• Halcrow Foundation
• Ida Davis Family Foundation
• Spiers Family Foundation Limited
• ENFIELD LIONS CLUB (CIO)
• The Breadsticks Foundation
• Palle Moeller Foundation
• The Devchandbhai & Kankuben Foundation
• The Rumi Foundation

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Burdens' Charitable Foundation (273535). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/273535 []

1. Castlefield Partners. “Burdens Charitable Foundation.” Available at: https://www.castlefield.com/home/media/charity-work/burdens-charitable-foundation/ []

1. Castlefield Partners. “Castlefield supports school for the blind in Burkina Faso.” Available at: https://www.castlefield.com/home/media/charity-work/castlefield-supports-school-for-the-blind-in-burkina-faso/ []

1. La Renaissance. Official website. Available at: https://www.larenaissance.org.uk/ []

1. Castlefield Partners. “Castlefield Shortlisted in the Better Society Awards.” Available at: https://www.castlefield.com/news-media/awards-recognition/castlefield-shortlisted-in-the-better-society-awards/ []

1. Better Society Awards. “Shortlist 2018.” Available at: https://bettersociety.net/awards/shortlist18.php []

1. Find That Charity. "GB-CHC-273535 | Burdens' Charitable Foundation." Available at: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-273535 []