Hilda Florence Holmes Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £203,843 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (evidence of £1,000 monthly grants and £5,000 one-off grants)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: Highland House, Mayflower Close, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 4AR

Phone: 02380461200

Email: HildaHolmesTF@hotmail.com

Website: No website identified

Overview

The Hilda Florence Holmes Trust was established in November 1989 as a charitable trust dedicated to relieving the suffering of ponies and horses in need of care and protection. Registered with the Charity Commission in January 1990 (charity number 900250), the trust operates throughout England and Wales with a specific focus on supporting the South Hants Pony and Horse Protection Group and other charitable organizations devoted to equine welfare. With total expenditure of £203,843 in 2024 against income of £25,980, the trust appears to be drawing on established capital to support its beneficiaries. The trust is governed by four trustees and maintains formal policies on financial reserves, risk management, and investment of charitable funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through direct grant-making to equine welfare organizations. Evidence suggests both one-off grants and ongoing monthly support arrangements:

• One-off Grants: £5,000 documented for running costs and land management
• Ongoing Monthly Support: £1,000 monthly donations documented for operational costs

Priority Areas

• Relief of suffering for ponies and horses in need of care and protection
• Support for equine rescue and rehabilitation organizations
• Operational costs for equine welfare charities
• Land management for equine sanctuaries
• Organizations specifically focused on care and protection of horses and ponies

Geographic Focus

Operations throughout England and Wales, with historical connection to South Hampshire area through the South Hants Pony and Horse Protection Group.

What They Don't Fund

Based on the trust's stated charitable purpose, funding is restricted to:

• Organizations or purposes unrelated to equine welfare
• Non-charitable organizations
• Individual horse or pony owners (grants made to charitable organizations only)

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by four trustees:

• Andrew Briscoe - Chair
• Emma Jane Bedford - Trustee
• Margaret Coombes - Trustee
• Arthur Bell - Trustee

The trust maintains robust governance with formal policies including financial reserves, internal risk management, and investment of charity funds. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust operates under a Declaration of Charitable Trust dated November 21, 1989.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Hilda Florence Holmes Trust operates primarily through trustee discretion, with a documented focus on supporting the South Hants Pony and Horse Protection Group. There is no publicly available application form, guidelines, or portal. Grants appear to be awarded through trustees' knowledge of the equine welfare sector and direct relationships with beneficiary organizations.

Organizations seeking support may contact the trust directly via email (HildaHolmesTF@hotmail.com) or phone (02380461200) to introduce their work, though there is no guarantee of consideration without an established relationship or connection to the trust's known beneficiaries.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the trust's small trustee board and focused remit, decisions are likely made through periodic trustee meetings, but specific timelines are not available.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The trust's expenditure significantly exceeds its income, suggesting it is actively distributing grants from capital, but the number of applications received or success rates are not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about this trust's grant-making criteria, the following factors can be inferred from its charitable purpose and documented activities:

Organizational Focus

• Organizations must be registered charities focused specifically on equine welfare
• Priority appears to be given to organizations providing direct care and protection to horses and ponies in need
• Evidence suggests support for rescue and sanctuary operations

Type of Support

• The trust provides both one-off grants and ongoing monthly support
• Documented grants have supported running costs and land management
• The trust appears willing to provide sustained, long-term support to beneficiaries

Geographic Alignment

• While the trust operates throughout England and Wales, there is a historical connection to the South Hampshire area
• Organizations in this region may have stronger connections to the trust's origins

Financial Need

• The trust's mission focuses on relieving suffering, suggesting they support organizations working with horses and ponies in genuine need
• Support for operational costs indicates understanding of the ongoing resource requirements for animal welfare work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - This trust operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications; direct contact may be possible but success depends on trustee knowledge and relationships
• Equine welfare only - Funding is strictly limited to charitable organizations focused on care and protection of horses and ponies
• Sustained support model - Evidence of monthly ongoing donations suggests the trust values long-term relationships with beneficiaries rather than one-off project funding
• Operational costs welcome - Documented grants include running costs and land management, indicating willingness to fund core operational needs
• Limited transparency - With no website or public grant guidelines, information about this funder is minimal; direct contact is the only pathway
• Drawing on capital - With expenditure far exceeding income, the trust is actively spending down assets, suggesting a commitment to making meaningful grants rather than building reserves
• South Hampshire connection - The trust was established to support the South Hants Pony and Horse Protection Group, suggesting organizations in this area or with connections to this group may have better prospects

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE IVO TRUST
• E B M Charitable Trust
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• The Dischma Charitable Trust
• The Belforte Trust
• Toby and Regina Wyles Charitable Trust
• THE BASIL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust
• The Ostacchini Family Charitable Trust
• William Geoffrey Harvey's Discretionary Settlement No 2

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - HILDA FLORENCE HOLMES TRUST (900250)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/900250

Accessed: December 2025

1. UK Charity Commission Full Print - HILDA FLORENCE HOLMES TRUST

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/900250/full-print

Accessed: December 2025

1. Lluest Horse and Pony Trust - Our Supporters

https://www.lluesthorseandponytrust.co.uk/our-supporters/

Accessed: December 2025

Evidence of ongoing monthly donations from Hilda Holmes Charitable Trust

1. UK Charity Commission Register - South Hants Pony and Horse Protection Group (900222)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=900222&subid=0

Accessed: December 2025

Information about the trust's primary historical beneficiary