Doris Field Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 328687

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M
Geographic Focus: Oxfordshire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £431,299 (charitable activities, 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Trustees meet 3 times per year
  • Grant Range: Small individual grants to large project contributions
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide with preference for Oxfordshire (particularly Headington area)

Contact Details

Primary Contact:

  • Email: emily.greig@blakemorgan.co.uk
  • Phone: 01865 254286
  • Address: Blake Morgan LLP, Seacourt Tower, West Way, Oxford, OX2 0FB

Administrative Support:

Blake Morgan LLP provides legal and administrative support for the trust. Application forms and further details are available from Emily Greig.

Overview

The Doris Field Charitable Trust was established in 1990 following the death of Doris Ruth Field (1904-1988), a former Morris Motors clerk and wartime nurse who left her entire estate of £2.7 million to charity. The trust was constituted under a Trust Deed dated 16 May 1990 (amended 5 July 1995) and has since become a significant supporter of charitable work in Oxfordshire and beyond. With total income of £533,108 in 2024 (primarily from investments), the trust distributed £431,299 in charitable grants. The trust maintains an endowment fund generating investment income, allowing it to balance current grantmaking with preserving resources for future beneficiaries. The trust supports a diverse range of charities and projects, from small individual grants to substantial contributions to larger initiatives, with an average annual distribution of approximately £400,000 to predominantly local charities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single, flexible grant program:

  • General Charitable Grants: Variable amounts from small individual grants to substantial contributions for large projects
  • Application Method: Rolling applications accepted year-round; trustees meet three times annually to consider applications
  • Focus: Both one-off and recurrent grants available for UK organizations with preference for local Oxfordshire causes

Priority Areas

The trust has broad charitable objectives and supports:

  • General charitable purposes benefiting the general public/mankind
  • Strong preference for Oxfordshire charities, particularly in the Headington area
  • Diverse range of charitable causes including community projects, festivals, and local charitable organizations
  • Both small local projects and larger organizational initiatives

Known beneficiaries include the Headington Festival and numerous other local Oxfordshire charities.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed. The trust appears to have broad charitable purposes, but applicants should contact Emily Greig for guidance on eligibility.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by four trustees, none of whom receive remuneration:

  • N Andrew Harper (appointed 16 May 1990) - Original trustee from the trust's establishment
  • John Peter Oswald Cole (appointed 8 September 1998)
  • Wilhelmina Church (appointed 8 September 1998)
  • Helen Fanyinka (appointed 1 July 2014)

The trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and no trading subsidiaries, maintaining a lean operational structure focused on grantmaking.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Rolling applications: Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year
  • Application forms: Available from Emily Greig at Blake Morgan LLP (emily.greig@blakemorgan.co.uk)
  • Contact before applying: Recommended to request application forms and guidance from Emily Greig
  • No online portal: Traditional application process via solicitors

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee meetings: Three times per year
  • Decision timeframe: Dependent on timing of submission relative to trustee meetings (approximately 4-16 weeks)
  • Notification method: Not publicly specified

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The trust distributes approximately £400,000-£431,000 annually across diverse charities and projects.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication policies is not publicly available. Applicants should inquire with Emily Greig when requesting application materials.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's history and funding patterns:

  • Local connection matters: The trust shows strong preference for Oxfordshire charities, particularly those serving the Headington community where Doris Field lived and worked
  • Diverse project sizes welcomed: The trust explicitly supports both “small individual grants” and “contributions to large projects,” suggesting flexibility in grant amounts
  • Community benefit: Projects benefiting the general public/mankind align with the trust's broad charitable objectives
  • One-off and recurring support: The trust provides both types of funding, indicating openness to different funding relationships
  • Historical examples: Community festivals (like Headington Festival) and local charitable organizations have received support
  • Legacy alignment: Projects that reflect Doris Field's connection to Headington, Oxford, and community service may resonate with trustees

The trust's founder was a working-class woman who spent her career as a clerk and nurse, suggesting potential affinity for grassroots community projects and causes supporting ordinary people.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is critical: While the trust can fund UK-wide, Oxfordshire organizations—especially those in Headington—appear to have strongest alignment with the trust's heritage and priorities
  • Contact before applying: Obtain application forms and guidance from Emily Greig at Blake Morgan to ensure your project fits the trust's current priorities
  • Flexible grant sizes: Don't self-eliminate based on project size; the trust explicitly funds both small and large initiatives
  • Rolling applications offer flexibility: No fixed deadlines, but plan for potential 4-16 week decision timeline depending on trustee meeting schedule
  • Emphasize community impact: The trust's mission focuses on benefiting “the general public/mankind”—demonstrate broad community benefit
  • Investment income fund: The trust's reliance on investment income (£530,139 in 2024) suggests financial stability and long-term sustainability
  • Lean operation: With no staff and no trustee remuneration, the trust focuses resources on grantmaking rather than administration

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