Henry Smith's Charity (tolleshunt D'arcy Estate)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £74,697
• Success Rate: N/A (formula-based distribution)
• Decision Time: Annual distributions
• Grant Range: Approximately £533 per parish annually
• Geographic Focus: 140 ancient parishes across Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Cheshire, and Sussex

Contact Details

• Email: leigh.wetheridge@brightslaw.com
• Phone: 01621 852323
• Address: Bright & Sons, West House, West Square, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6HA

Overview

Henry Smith's Charity (Tolleshunt D'Arcy Estate) is a historic trust established by deed in 1641, managing the legacy of Henry Smith (1549-1628), a London moneylender and philanthropist. The charity owns and manages Whitehouse Farm in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, and distributes the residual income after management expenses equally among 140 ancient parishes across five counties. With annual expenditure of approximately £74,697, the charity continues Smith's centuries-old mission of poverty relief through parish-level grant distributions. The charity operates through a fixed distribution formula rather than open applications, making it a unique intermediary funder that enables local parish-level grant-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Parish Distributions: Approximately £533 per parish annually
• Distributed to 140 ancient parishes named in the original deed
• Funds used by parish trustees for local poverty relief
• No direct application process to the central charity

Priority Areas

• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Support for local parish charitable activities
• Youth organizations and schools (through parish distributions)
• Christmas food vouchers for vulnerable residents
• General welfare support in designated parishes

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside the 140 designated ancient parishes
• Direct applications from individuals
• Projects outside the scope of poverty relief

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by seven trustees who oversee the management of Whitehouse Farm and ensure proper distribution to beneficiary parishes:

• Charles Nicholas Gooch (Chair)
• Ben Fisher
• Claire Fisher
• Robert Charles Malden
• David Fleming
• Chris Butler
• Claire Cottrell DL

The trustees work with 10 volunteers and manage the charity through Bright & Sons solicitors in Maldon, Essex. No trustees receive remuneration for their service.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are distributed through a formula-based system to 140 pre-determined ancient parishes. These parishes were named in Henry Smith's original bequest from 1641 and cannot be changed.

Individual organizations or residents seeking support should:

1. Determine if they are located within one of the 140 beneficiary ancient parishes
2. Contact their local parish council or parish trustees to inquire about Henry Smith Charity funds
3. Apply through their parish's local grant distribution process

Decision Timeline

• Annual distributions to parishes
• Parish-level grant decisions made locally throughout the year
• Timing varies by individual parish procedures

Application Success Factors

Since this charity operates through fixed distributions to specific parishes rather than open applications, success factors relate to working with local parish trustees:

• Organizations must be located within or serving residents of one of the 140 ancient beneficiary parishes
• Projects should clearly demonstrate poverty relief or prevention objectives
• Local parish trustees have discretion over how funds are used within poverty relief parameters
• Building relationships with parish councils and understanding their local priorities is essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open-application funder - grants flow through a fixed distribution to 140 specific parishes
• Organizations seeking funding must work through their local parish if it's one of the beneficiaries
• The charity's purpose is strictly limited to poverty relief and prevention
• Annual distributions are relatively modest (approximately £533 per parish)
• This represents one part of the wider Henry Smith charity network, each with different operating models
• Contact details provided are for the charity's administrators, not for grant applications

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Knowle United Charity
• Sir John Evelyn's Charity
• John Bristow and Thomas Mason Trust
• Mountsorrel Relief in Need Charity
• The Andover Charities
• Waterside Community Fund
• ST ALDATES PAROCHIAL CHARITY
• LARA ATKIN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• Grimsdale Charitable Trust
• Provincial Grand Charity of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 207722. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/207722. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• Charity Commission filing documents and annual returns for Henry Smith's Charity (Tolleshunt D'Arcy Estate). 2024-2025.
• Historical records regarding Henry Smith (1549-1628) and the establishment of his charitable trusts.
• Parish council documentation regarding Henry Smith Charity distributions in beneficiary parishes.