David Lister Charitable Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £467,000 (2024/25)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly specified (£252,640 distributed in recent year)
- Geographic Focus: England and Wales
Contact Details
- Address: Clint Hall Farm, Clint, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3DR
- Phone: 01423 566086
- Email: bryanr@holeys.co.uk
- Website: None
Overview
The David Lister Charitable Trust was established by Trust Deed on 24 March 2000 by David Ward Lister and Peter Robert Procter Chadwick, with registration completed on 14 August 2000 (Charity Number 1082007). The trust operates as a grant-making foundation with approximately £519,000 in reserves and distributes funds to other charitable organisations throughout England and Wales.
David Lister MBE, the founder and current trustee, has a distinguished background as chief coach to the National Men's and Women's Lightweight and Women's Rowing Squads. He is also a founding trustee of the Whirlwind Charitable Trust and manages various business interests including property development and private yacht charters on the Thames. His interests appear to span philanthropy, sport, maritime activities, and philately.
The trust makes donations at the discretion of the trustees to benefit such charitable purposes as they think fit. It does not raise funds from the public and operates without paid staff, relying on three volunteer trustees.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- General Charitable Grants: Discretionary grants to registered charities
- Recent charitable donations totalled £252,640 (most recent reported year)
- Previous year donations were significantly higher at £865,650, indicating variable annual giving
Priority Areas
The trust's governing documents provide broad general charitable purposes, meaning trustees have discretion to support any legitimate charitable activity. Based on the founder's background, potential areas of interest may include:
- Sporting activities, particularly rowing and water sports
- Outdoor pursuits for young people
- Maritime and sailing-related charities
- General charitable purposes at trustee discretion
What They Don't Fund
No explicit exclusions are documented, though as a private trust:
- Does not fund individuals
- Focuses on registered charitable organisations
- Does not respond to general fundraising appeals

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Governance and Leadership
Current Trustees (3 members):
- David Ward Lister - Founder and trustee; David Lister MBE served as chief coach to the National Men's and Women's Lightweight and Women's Rowing Squads; manages property development and yacht charter businesses
- Andrew David Wriglesworth - Appointed 13 April 2010, replacing Peter Robert Procter Chadwick
- Susan Streather - Appointed 2022
Governance Notes:
- No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity
- Gender composition: 2 male, 1 female trustees
- Stuart Garside was appointed as an additional trustee on 25 September 2000 (status unclear)
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Donations are made at the discretion of the trustees to benefit such charitable purposes as they think fit. There is no published application form, online portal, or formal application procedure.
The trust does not raise funds from the public and operates on a purely discretionary basis. Grants appear to be made based on trustee knowledge of charitable organisations and causes, rather than through open competition.
Organisations wishing to make contact may write to or call the trust:
- Email: bryanr@holeys.co.uk
- Phone: 01423 566086
- Address: Clint Hall Farm, Clint, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3DR
Decision Timeline
Not publicly documented. As a discretionary trust with three volunteer trustees, decisions are likely made at trustee meetings.
Success Rates
Not publicly available. The trust does not publish data on applications received or success rates.
Reapplication Policy
No formal reapplication policy is documented.
Application Success Factors
Given the discretionary nature of this trust, success factors are likely to include:
- Trustee Awareness: The trust does not solicit applications, so being known to the trustees is essential
- Alignment with Trustee Interests: Given David Lister's background in rowing and the Whirlwind Trust's focus on sailing and outdoor pursuits for disadvantaged young people, charities working in sport, outdoor activities, and youth development may be of particular interest
- Strong Charitable Track Record: As a grant-maker to other charities, the trust likely favours established organisations with proven impact
- Clear Charitable Purpose: The trust makes grants for “general charitable purposes” so a clear, demonstrable charitable mission is important
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process - This trust operates entirely at trustee discretion without formal applications
- Significant annual giving - The trust has capacity to distribute £250,000-£850,000+ annually, indicating substantial giving potential
- Broad charitable remit - No stated restrictions on charitable causes supported
- Personal connections matter - With no open applications, trustee networks and relationships are the primary route to funding
- Consider founder interests - David Lister's background in elite rowing and his other trustee role at Whirlwind (sailing/outdoor pursuits for disadvantaged young people) may indicate funding preferences
- Direct contact possible - While there's no application process, contact details are publicly available for enquiries
- Variable annual giving - Grants ranged from £252,640 to £865,650 in recent years, suggesting flexibility in distribution
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- The Lister Charitable Trust
- P F Charitable Trust
- Edith Murphy Foundation
- The Constance Travis Charitable Trust
- Frank Brake Charitable Trust
- Rosetrees Trust
- BENEFACT TRUST LIMITED
- BBC Children in Need
- The National Garden Scheme
- The Orr Mackintosh Foundation Limited
- THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
- The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
- THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION
- The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation
- The Chalk Cliff Trust
- The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
- THE MORRISONS FOUNDATION
- THE NANCY BATEMAN CHARITABLE TRUST
- King's College
- THE BEAVERBROOKS CHARITABLE TRUST
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References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities - David Lister Charitable Trust (1082007): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3973064
- Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1082007
- Charity Choice - David Lister Charitable Trust: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/david-lister-charitable-trust-1082007
- Whirlwind Charitable Trust - About Us (for David Lister MBE background): https://www.whirlwind.org.uk/funding-for-sailing-charities-outdoor-pursuits-and-activities-for-disadvantaged-people/
- British LEI - David Lister Charitable Trust: https://britishlei.co.uk/detailed-information/51887/213800AG8MR9E7D8RH57/david-lister-charitable-trust/
Information