Colwinston Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1049189

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??886,571 (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (trustees meet in May and November)
  • Grant Range: ??3,000 - ??115,000 (typical range ??5,000 - ??20,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Wales (80%+ of funding), with some UK-wide support

Contact Details

Website: www.colwinston.org.uk

Email: colwinstontrust@colwinston.org.uk

Phone: 020 7842 2000

Application: Apply via downloadable application form from website, submitted by email

Overview

The Colwinston Charitable Trust was established in 1995 by Founder and Chairman Mathew Prichard CBE, grandson of Agatha Christie. Named after the Vale of Glamorgan village where Prichard grew up, the Trust is uniquely funded through royalties from the London production of Agatha Christie's “The Mousetrap” - a birthday gift from Christie to her grandson. With annual giving of approximately ??886,571 (2023/24), the Trust distributes grants exclusively to UK registered charities delivering high-quality work in the live performing arts, visual arts, and library and archive projects in Wales. Over 80% of funding is directed towards arts activity benefiting Wales. The Trust meets twice yearly to consider applications and has supported major Welsh cultural institutions including Wales Millennium Centre, Welsh National Opera, and Chapter Arts Centre. Prichard was awarded the Prince of Wales Medal for Philanthropy for his support of Welsh arts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Core Grant Programme: ??5,000 - ??20,000 (typical range for new applicants)
  • Strategic Partnerships: ??20,000+ (reserved for organizations with established relationships over several years)
  • Application Method: Fixed deadlines - rolling applications not accepted

Priority Areas

  • Opera and Classical Music: Significant support for opera companies, music festivals, and classical music initiatives
  • Visual Arts: Gallery exhibitions, artist residencies, and visual arts projects
  • Youth Engagement: High-quality projects that help young people appreciate the arts
  • Collaborative Projects: Initiatives that share costs, skills, and expertise, extending range and reach
  • Access and Understanding: Projects improving access to and understanding of art forms
  • Wales-Focused Activities: Strong preference for projects benefiting Welsh communities
  • Library and Archive Projects in Wales: Preservation and access initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals or students (only registered charities)
  • Organizations outside the UK
  • Projects outside performing arts, visual arts, and Welsh library/archive sectors
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Mr Mathew C T Prichard CBE (Founder and Chairman) - Grandson of Agatha Christie, awarded Prince of Wales Medal for Philanthropy
  • Miss Rebecca A Evans CBE
  • Mrs Lucinda M Prichard
  • Mr Martin P Tinney
  • Miss Sian Ll Williams

Leadership Perspective:

Mathew Prichard has stated: "We've granted funds to a young cricketer from Barbados, and whilst you probably won't have heard of him, his success gives me every bit as much pleasure as the headlines like the Wales Millennium Centre.“ He also noted that while some projects ”have tanked," he does not regret a single investment, demonstrating the Trust's willingness to support innovative and risk-taking projects.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Submission: Email to colwinstontrust@colwinston.org.uk
  2. Format Preference: Use bullet points over long sentences for clarity

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadlines:
  • 30 September: For consideration at November trustees meeting
  • 31 March: For consideration at May trustees meeting
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks after deadline (trustees meet in May and November)
  • Project Start: Allow minimum 4 months between application deadline and project start date
  • Follow-up: Trust may request additional information before final decision

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust funded 50+ organizations in 2023/24 with grants totaling ??886,571.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organizations are encouraged to contact the Trust directly regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Excellence

The Trust prioritizes high-quality artistic work. Applications should clearly demonstrate artistic excellence and professional standards in project delivery.

Welsh Connection

With over 80% of funding directed to Wales, projects benefiting Welsh communities have significantly higher success rates. Welsh organizations or projects with clear Welsh impact should emphasize this prominently.

Collaboration and Innovation

The Trust explicitly values collaborative projects that share costs, skills, and expertise. Applications that demonstrate partnerships and extended reach are particularly attractive.

Youth Focus

Projects that help young people appreciate arts possibilities are of particular interest. Including meaningful youth engagement components strengthens applications.

Relationship Building

Larger grants (??20,000+) are generally reserved for organizations with established relationships developed over several years. First-time applicants should have realistic expectations regarding grant size.

Recent Funding Examples (2023/24)**:

  • National Museum Wales: ??115,000
  • Garsington Opera: ??100,000
  • Theatr Clwyd: ??100,000
  • Agatha Christie Trust for Children: ??65,000
  • ARTES MUNDI 10: ??50,000
  • Buxton Festival: ??50,000
  • ART UK: ??10,000
  • Chapter: ??10,000
  • Aberystwyth University: ??3,000

Application Tips

  • Be Concise: Maximum 4 pages, use bullet points
  • Clear Objectives: Define measurable targets and outcomes
  • Budget Clarity: One-page budget showing clear cost breakdown
  • Contact First: Particularly for larger grants, pre-application contact is recommended
  • Avoid Jargon: Write clearly and accessibly
  • Welsh Impact: Explicitly state how project benefits Wales if applicable

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Wales is Key: With 80%+ of funding directed to Wales, Welsh organizations or projects with clear Welsh benefit have significantly higher success potential
  • Quality Over Quantity: The Trust prioritizes artistic excellence - demonstrate high professional standards in all application materials
  • Build Relationships: Larger grants require established relationships; start with smaller asks and build trust over time
  • Collaborate: Partnership projects that extend reach and share resources align strongly with Trust priorities
  • Youth Engagement: Incorporating meaningful youth engagement components strengthens applications considerably
  • Timing is Critical: Only two funding rounds per year (May and November) - plan well in advance and allow 4+ months before project start
  • Be Realistic: First-time applicants should target the ??5,000-??20,000 range; larger grants are for established relationships
  • Contact Proactively: The Trust welcomes pre-application contact - use this opportunity to discuss fit and feasibility before investing time in full application

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