Hermes Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £186,214 (expenditure, FY 2023)
• Grant Range: £200 - £3,000 (typically £200-£2,000)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales; some international work (Ireland, South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Switzerland)
• Founded: 1982
• Total Income: £145,880 (FY 2023)

Contact Details

Address: Old Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud, GL5 1QG

Phone: 01453 763900

Email: hermes.trust@freeuk.com

Website: hermes-trust.org.uk

Overview

Founded in 1982, the Hermes Trust is a UK-registered charity (number 281749) that makes grants and loans to cultural, educational, medical and other charitable projects inspired by Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy. With an annual income of approximately £145,880 and expenditure of £186,214 (FY 2023), the Trust operates as a small but focused funder supporting anthroposophical initiatives. The charity primarily operates throughout England and Wales but has also supported work internationally. The Trust provides assistance principally through grants, low-interest loans, and the administration of a number of restricted funds set up to support particular activities or projects. The charity maintains a transparent governance structure with no trustee remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Hermes Trust makes grants and loans to support projects inspired by Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy across several key areas:

• Grants: Typically ranging from £200 to £2,000, with some grants extending to £3,000 for significant projects
• Low-interest loans: Available for individuals and organizations
• Restricted funds: Administration of specific funds designated for particular activities or projects

Application Method: Applications appear to be reviewed on a rolling basis through their website

Priority Areas

The Trust actively funds projects in the following areas inspired by anthroposophical principles:

• Education: Steiner/Waldorf schools and educational initiatives (e.g., funding for classroom furniture and equipment)
• Cultural projects: Arts and cultural initiatives aligned with anthroposophical values
• Medical projects: Healthcare initiatives informed by anthroposophical medicine
• Social welfare: Social development and welfare projects
• Agriculture: Biodynamic and anthroposophical farming initiatives
• Philosophy and religion: Projects exploring anthroposophical thought
• Sciences: Scientific research and initiatives aligned with anthroposophical perspectives
• Relief of the aged, sick and poor: Charitable support for vulnerable populations

Example Grant: The Trust awarded £3,000 to Edinburgh Steiner School for purchasing chalkboards for new Class 11 and 12 classrooms in a converted coach house.

What They Don't Fund

The Trust specifically funds projects inspired by Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy, so projects outside this philosophical framework are unlikely to be considered. No other specific exclusions are documented.

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Governance and Leadership

The Hermes Trust is governed by four trustees who receive no remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity:

Current Trustees:

• Margaret Jonas (appointed October 2012): Also serves as trustee for Rudolf Steiner Press and Temple Lodge Publishing Limited
• Michael Balcombe (appointed November 2015): No other listed trusteeships
• Jeremy Smith (appointed May 2019): Also serves as trustee for Temple Lodge Publishing Limited
• Michael Fuller (appointed November 2023): Also serves as trustee for Temple Lodge Publishing Limited

The significant overlap in trusteeships with anthroposophical publishing organizations (Temple Lodge Publishing Limited and Rudolf Steiner Press) demonstrates the Trust's deep connection to the wider anthroposophical movement in the UK.

The charity has no employees earning over £60,000 and operates without trading subsidiaries, maintaining a lean operational structure focused on grant-making.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Hermes Trust accepts applications through their website at hermes-trust.org.uk, with a dedicated “Applying for a grant” page available at www.hermes-trust.org.uk/pages/apply.html.

The Trust also offers borrowing options for those seeking loans rather than grants, with information available at www.hermes-trust.org.uk/pages/borrow.html.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Interested applicants should contact the Trust directly for information about processing times.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented publicly. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for guidance on reapplying if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

While the Trust does not publish detailed application guidance, the following factors are likely to strengthen applications based on the Trust's stated purpose and funding patterns:

• Clear alignment with anthroposophy: Projects must be directly inspired by Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophical principles
• Connection to the anthroposophical movement: The Trust's trustees are deeply connected to anthroposophical publishing and education organizations, suggesting that projects from established anthroposophical institutions or individuals with demonstrated commitment to this philosophy may be better positioned
• Practical, tangible outcomes: The example of funding for classroom furniture demonstrates support for concrete, practical needs rather than purely theoretical projects
• Educational focus: Given the connection to Steiner/Waldorf education through trustee affiliations, educational projects may be particularly well-received
• Modest funding requests: Most grants fall in the £200-£2,000 range, suggesting the Trust favors supporting multiple smaller projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Anthroposophical alignment is essential: Only projects genuinely inspired by Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy will be considered; superficial connections will likely be unsuccessful
• Small grants, practical impact: Target funding requests in the £200-£2,000 range for practical, tangible project components
• Consider loans as well as grants: The Trust offers both grants and low-interest loans, providing flexibility for different financial needs
• Connect with the anthroposophical community: The trustees' deep involvement in anthroposophical publishing and education suggests that being part of or connected to this community may be advantageous
• Contact directly for detailed guidance: With limited public information about application processes and timelines, direct contact with the Trust is advisable before applying
• International reach possible: While primarily focused on England and Wales, the Trust has supported work internationally, so overseas anthroposophical projects may be considered
• Restricted funds may be available: The Trust administers specific restricted funds for particular purposes; inquire whether your project might align with any of these designated funding streams

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities, “HERMES TRUST - 281749,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/281749
• Edinburgh Steiner School, “Sponsoring Us To Grow As A Beacon Of Steiner Education In Scotland,” https://www.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk/helping-us-grow-beacon-steiner-education-scotland/
• Hermes Trust website, http://www.hermes-trust.org.uk/
• Edinburgh Steiner School, “Anthroposophical Organisations,” https://www.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk/anthroposophical-organisations/
• NGO Explorer, “HERMES TRUST | NGO Explorer,” https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/281749