Henry Colborn (or Colbron) Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £98,096 (Year ending 31 July 2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £117,117
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications decided once annually in late May
• Grant Range: Not specified
• Geographic Focus: Parish of Ashwell, Hertfordshire only

Contact Details

Address: Merchant Taylors' Hall, 30 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8JB

Phone: 020 7450 4440 (or 020 4511 6285)

Email: charities@merchant-taylors.co.uk

Website: www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/philanthropy/the-henry-colborn-trust

Application Support: Email charities@merchant-taylors.co.uk to request a Unique Reference Number (URN) if applying as a non-registered organisation or individual

Overview

The Henry Colborn Trust, formally registered as “Henry Colborn (or Colbron)” (Charity No. 310961), is a long-established educational charity founded by a codicil to will dated 1 August 1655. Administered by the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, the Trust operates with a highly focused geographic remit, supporting only children who live full-time in the Parish of Ashwell, Hertfordshire. With an annual income of approximately £98,000, the Trust provides special benefits not typically covered by local education authorities, focusing on educational, sporting, and recreational activities. The charity is governed by three trustees who receive no remuneration, and it has no employees or trading subsidiaries. Recent financial data shows the Trust spent £117,117 in the year ending July 2024, indicating active grant-making despite a slight deficit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single annual grant program with applications submitted via an online portal. Decisions are made once per year in late May, with outcomes typically communicated on the last working day of May.

Application Method: Online application form only (rolling submissions accepted January-March; closed April-May)

Priority Areas

The Trust funds:

• Educational activities that provide special benefits not covered by Ashwell Primary School's local education authority
• Sporting activities for children resident in Ashwell parish
• Recreational activities that benefit Ashwell children
• Social and physical training initiatives for children in the parish

Key Requirement: All beneficiaries must be children living full-time in Ashwell, Hertfordshire

What They Don't Fund

• Private diagnoses - Following a policy review, the Trust explicitly does not fund the cost of obtaining private diagnoses
• Private therapies - Medical or therapeutic interventions requiring private payment
• Activities benefiting children outside Ashwell parish - Geographic restriction is absolute
• Benefits typically provided by local education authorities - The Trust focuses on supplementary provision

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Governance and Leadership

The Henry Colborn Trust is governed by three trustees appointed to oversee the charity's administration. The Trust operates as one of several charities managed by the Merchant Taylors' Company, which provides administrative support through its Charities Management function.

The governance structure includes:

• 3 Trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• Administration by Merchant Taylors' Company - A livery company within the City of London with extensive experience in charity management
• No employees - The Trust operates through the administrative infrastructure of Merchant Taylors

The Trust's governing documents have been amended several times since its 1655 founding, most recently by resolutions in 2006, 2007, and 2008, reflecting the charity's adaptation to modern educational needs while maintaining its core mission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Form Only: The Trust exclusively accepts applications through its online application portal. No paper applications or alternative submission methods are accepted.

Unique Reference Number (URN) Requirements:

• Registered charities: Do NOT need a URN - can apply directly using charity number
• Non-registered organisations or groups: MUST obtain a URN before starting the application
• Individuals: MUST obtain a URN before applying

To Request a URN: Email charities@merchant-taylors.co.uk with:

• Subject line: “Henry Colborn Trust, request for URN”
• Full name of the individual or organisation making the application
• Link to the organisation's website (if applicable)

Decision Timeline

Application Windows:

• Open: January through March (optimal submission period)
• Closed: April and May (no applications accepted)
• Can submit year-round: Applications accepted outside January-March but may require additional financial documentation

Decision Process:

• Applications are decided once annually in late May
• Outcomes typically communicated on the last working day of May
• No rolling decisions - all applications considered together annually

Timing Recommendation: “The best time to submit an application is during January to March, because the Trust will probably only need to ask for financial information once.”

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed by the Trust. Given the charity's expenditure of £117,117 in 2024 against an income of £98,096, the Trust is actively making grants and drawing on reserves to support its beneficiaries.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust's reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in available documentation. Applicants should contact charities@merchant-taylors.co.uk for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Given the Trust's highly specific geographic focus and clear eligibility criteria, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Clear Ashwell Connection: Beneficiaries must definitively live full-time in the Parish of Ashwell, Hertfordshire. Applications should clearly document this residency.

1. Supplementary Nature: The Trust exists to provide benefits “not normally provided by the local education authority.” Applications should demonstrate that the requested funding fills a gap in mainstream provision rather than duplicating existing support.

1. Educational, Sporting, or Recreational Focus: Activities must fall within these three categories and relate to children's education, social development, or physical training.

1. Timing Considerations: Submitting during January-March reduces the likelihood of multiple documentation requests, suggesting the Trust appreciates well-prepared applications submitted at optimal times.

1. Compliance with Restrictions: Applications for private diagnoses or private therapies will be automatically rejected following the Trust's policy review.

1. Appropriate Applicant Type: Understanding whether a URN is required (non-registered groups/individuals) versus direct application (registered charities) demonstrates attention to process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Hyper-local focus: This is a geographically restricted trust - only children living full-time in Ashwell parish are eligible. Do not apply if your beneficiaries are outside this area.

• Annual decision cycle: With decisions made once per year in late May, plan your funding timeline accordingly. There are no interim or emergency grants available.

• Optimal application window: Submit between January and March to minimize documentation requests and demonstrate good planning.

• Supplementary provision: Frame your application around activities that go beyond what Ashwell Primary School or the local education authority typically provides.

• Process compliance matters: Follow the URN requirements precisely for non-registered applicants, and use only the online application form.

• Private medical exclusions: Do not include requests for private diagnoses or therapies - these are explicitly excluded following a policy review.

• Small charity, focused mission: With income under £100,000 and just three trustees, this is a small trust with a clear, unchanging mission dating back to 1655. Applications should respect its historical focus on supplementing Ashwell children's education.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Southover Manor General Educational Trust Limited
• The Betty Riseley Trust for Children
• Peter Adams Trust
• The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• THE MICHAEL MARSH CHARITABLE TRUST
• John Jackson Charitable Trust
• The Charles Littlewood Hill Trust
• Charles S French Charitable Trust
• John Horniman's Children's Trust

References

• The Henry Colborn Trust official page: https://www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/philanthropy/the-henry-colborn-trust
• Charity Commission Register entry for Henry Colborn (or Colbron), Charity No. 310961: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/310961
• Charity Commission financial data for year ending 31 July 2024: Income £98,096, Expenditure £117,117
• Merchant Taylors' Company Philanthropy pages: https://www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/philanthropy