Highway One Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £619,644 (latest available)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation/proactive selection only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Estimated £10,000 - £20,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: England & Wales, with international projects

Contact Details

Website: http://highwayonetrust.com

Email: info@highwayonetrust.com

Phone: 020 8878 0701

Registered Address: 2nd Floor, Church House, 86 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9RT

Charity Number: 1164753

For Initial Contact: Organisations may send a description of their work in no more than 50 words to the researcher at info@highwayonetrust.com

Overview

Highway One Trust is an independent grant-making charitable trust founded in 2016 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Named after Highway One, the world's longest continuous road network circumnavigating the Australian continent, the trust's mission reflects supporting “those who are following long roads and difficult paths towards long term and lasting change.” With total income of £509,598 (primarily from donations) and annual expenditure of £619,644 on charitable activities, the trust operates as a proactive grant maker governed by five trustees. The trust deliberately focuses on one or two objectives at any given time rather than spreading resources across all areas, emphasizing sustainable, long-term interventions over short-term relief or high-profile campaigns.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Highway One Trust does not operate formal grant programmes with fixed application rounds. Instead, trustees and supporting researchers identify potential recipient organisations aligned with current priorities.

Grant Type: Proactive grants to UK registered and international charities

Typical Range: £10,000 - £20,000 (estimated)

Application Method: No public application process; trustee-initiated or brief 50-word expressions of interest

Priority Areas

The trust has seven broad charitable objects but focuses on one or two at any given time:

1. Disfiguring Medical Conditions

• Medical projects in developing countries
• Focus on conditions receiving little attention (cleft lip/palate, burns)
• Example: Part-funded sanitation projects for Special Needs schools in Kenya through Wilmslow Wells for Africa

2. Mental Health

• Community-based mental health projects
• Support groups for dementia, bereavement, and anxiety
• Cafes, walking groups, and activities addressing isolation and loneliness

3. Prison and Injustice

• Improving prison conditions globally
• Rehabilitation and training for life after prison
• Supporting victims of injustice and disproportionate punishment
• Example: Supported Switchback, a charity helping young men leaving prison

4. Poverty and Economic Regeneration

• Microfinance initiatives
• Supporting small and medium-sized business development
• Helping individuals and communities achieve financial stability
• Homelessness alleviation
• Example: Leases property to Shelter Community for Youth Community Home in Chiswick

5. Internet and Mobile Networks

• Anti-bullying and online safety for young people
• Workplace conditions for social media moderators
• Research into digital harm and cybercrime
• Developing fair and effective government internet policy
• Commissioned report on internet safety (2017, updated 2019)

6. Singleness

• Research on challenges faced by single people in society
• Supporting religious communities' understanding of singleness
• Social programmes promoting understanding of singles' contributions

7. Christianity and Religious Freedom

• Protecting freedom to practice Christianity and other religions
• Supporting religious education and innovation
• Providing facilities for contemplation and worship

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the trust's funding philosophy suggests they do not support:

• Quick relief or short-term “in/out” interventions
• Projects seeking media attention over lasting impact
• Organizations outside their current one-two focus areas
• Direct unsolicited applications (though 50-word expressions considered)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Jacqueline Susan Elton (Chair) - Appointed 2015
• Neil William Maybin - Appointed 2015
• Michael Armstrong - Appointed 2019
• Dr Sarah Rutherford - Appointed 2020 (also trustee of The Spitz Charitable Trust)
• Duncan James McCallum - Appointed 2023

The trust operates with five trustees who receive no remuneration and employs supporting staff and researchers to identify potential recipient organisations. The board maintains a hands-on approach to grant-making, with trustees directly involved in selection decisions.

Trustee Philosophy: From their website, the trust states: "The aim of Highway One is to support those who are following long roads and difficult paths towards long term and lasting change. It could support initiatives that are simple and practical but generally this isn't about quick relief or 'in/out' interventions or activities that may get lots of media attention."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Highway One Trust does not have a public application process. The trust operates on a proactive basis, with trustees and researchers identifying potential recipient organisations rather than accepting formal grant applications.

Limited Expression of Interest Option: Organisations may send an email to the researcher at info@highwayonetrust.com with a description of their work in no more than 50 words. However, the trust explicitly states they “do not respond to unsolicited applications,” meaning even these brief expressions may not receive responses unless they align with current trustee priorities.

Grant Award Method: Trustee discretion based on internal research and identification

Getting on Their Radar

Property-Related Partnerships: The trust has demonstrated willingness to support organisations through property arrangements, as evidenced by leasing property to Shelter Community for Youth Community Home. Organisations with property needs aligned with the trust's current priorities may find this avenue of interest.

Sector Networks: The trust has supported organisations working in specific sectors including prison rehabilitation (Switchback), homelessness (Shelter Community/Youth Community Home), international development (Wilmslow Wells for Africa), and internet safety. Building connections within these sectors when they align with current trust priorities may increase visibility.

Long-Term Relationship Approach: The trust explicitly states they look forward to “continuing our long term relationship” with supported charities, suggesting they value ongoing partnerships over one-off grants. Organisations demonstrating capacity for sustained impact over time may be more attractive to trustees.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As trustees proactively identify organisations, there are no set decision cycles or notification periods.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust does not operate an open application system, so success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - as there is no formal application process, traditional reapplication policies do not exist. However, the trust's commitment to “long term relationships” suggests they may provide multi-year or repeat support to organisations once identified.

Application Success Factors

Since Highway One Trust operates through proactive identification rather than applications, organisations cannot directly “apply” for funding. However, understanding what the trust values can help organisations position themselves should they come to the trustees' attention:

1. Long-Term Sustainable Impact

The trust explicitly states it supports those following “long roads and difficult paths towards long term and lasting change.” They are not interested in quick relief or short-term interventions. Projects demonstrating multi-year strategies and lasting transformation will align with their philosophy.

2. Focused Rather Than Scattered Approach

The trust itself focuses on “one or two objects at any given time” rather than trying to address all seven charitable areas simultaneously. This suggests they value organisations with clear, focused missions over those trying to do too much.

3. Practical, Un-glamorous Work

The trust notes their support "could be simple and practical but generally this isn't about quick relief or 'in/out' interventions or activities that may get lots of media attention." This indicates preference for organisations doing necessary but perhaps less visible work.

4. Alignment with Current Priorities

With seven broad charitable objects but focus on only one-two at any time, timing matters. Based on known recent grants, current interests include: prison rehabilitation, homelessness, international development (particularly sanitation/water), and internet safety.

5. Demonstrable Track Record

Known grantees (Switchback, Shelter Community, Wilmslow Wells for Africa) are established organisations with proven delivery capacity. The trust appears to support organisations that can demonstrate effectiveness rather than experimental or start-up ventures.

6. Relationship Potential

The trust speaks of “long term relationships” with supported charities, suggesting they prefer organisations they can partner with over time rather than one-off grant recipients.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• You cannot apply directly - Highway One Trust identifies organisations proactively through trustee research and networks, not through an application process
• The 50-word rule - If reaching out unspeakably, keep your initial contact to exactly 50 words describing your work; send to info@highwayonetrust.com
• Long-term change focus - Emphasise sustainable, lasting impact over quick fixes or media-friendly interventions in all communications
• Timing is everything - The trust focuses on one-two priority areas at a time from their seven objects; your work must align with their current, not just general, interests
• Relationship-based funding - This is a trust that values ongoing partnerships; if you gain their support, nurture the relationship for potential continued funding
• Under-the-radar work appreciated - “Simple and practical” work that doesn't seek media attention aligns with their philosophy more than high-profile campaigns
• International and domestic scope - While UK-registered, they support both domestic UK charities and international development work, particularly in Africa

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Archer Trust
• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• THE FORRESTER FAMILY TRUST
• Hinchley Charitable Trust
• THE MAURICE AND HILDA LAING CHARITABLE TRUST
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust
• The Ashworth Charitable Trust
• Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust
• THE ROBERT GAVRON CHARITABLE TRUST
• GRACE CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Highway One Trust website: http://highwayonetrust.com
• Highway One Trust Objects page: http://highwayonetrust.com/objects.html
• Highway One Trust Report page: http://highwayonetrust.com/report.html
• Charity Commission Register: Highway One Trust, Charity Number 1164753, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1164753
• Youth Community Home: “Highway One Trust,” https://ychlondon.org/highway-one-trust/
• Wilmslow Wells for Africa: “News 2020,” https://wilmslowwells.org/news-2020-3/
• Switchback: “Highway One Trust,” https://switchback.org.uk/highway-one-trust/