Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1062836

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £400,000-£450,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies by program - from individual bursaries to institutional support
  • Geographic Focus: Surrey and adjacent areas (with partnerships extending to national institutions)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.hrtaylortrust.org.uk
  • Email: admin@hrtaylortrust.org.uk
  • Phone: 01737 557680
  • Address: 32 Chipstead Station Parade, Chipstead, Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 3TF
  • Administrator: Kate Perry

Overview

The Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust was established in 1997 for the 'advancement of public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music and allied performing arts'. The Trust's benefactor, Mr Humphrey Richardson Taylor (1905-1996), who lived in Cheam, Surrey, was devoted to music throughout his life and wished to encourage the growth of music-making and live performance by people of all ages. Since 1997, the Trust has provided financial support for a wide range of musical activities in the geographical and historical areas of Surrey. Through partnership arrangements with the Royal College of Music, the University of Surrey, and certain other national bodies, it extends its support to musically gifted British residents beyond its core geographical area. Based on historical financial data, the Trust distributes approximately £400,000-£450,000 annually across its various grant programs, with no trustees receiving any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates three main funding streams:

Schools Programme: Part-funding for musical instruments, musical equipment, musical tuition, and music-related capital projects for state schools in Surrey and adjacent areas. Grants are only very occasionally made to independent schools. Historical data shows approximately £240,000 allocated to schools annually for instruments and tuition.

Music Societies: Support for amateur choirs, orchestras, and operatic societies in Surrey and adjacent areas. Historical data indicates approximately £134,500 annually in support of amateur productions. Recent recipients include Croydon Bach Choir, Chandos Choir, and Aquarian Opera.

Individual Musicians: Scholarships and bursaries for highly talented young musicians attending the Royal College of Music and a limited number of other national institutions. Approximately £36,000 allocated annually for developing promising young musicians. Support includes help purchasing instruments or funding tuition for children and young adults showing exceptional musical talent.

Priority Areas

  • Music education at state primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in Surrey
  • Performance of live classical music by local (mainly amateur) music societies
  • Development of musically gifted young people pursuing careers in music
  • Musical instruments and equipment for schools
  • Music tuition programs
  • Music-related capital projects

What They Don't Fund

  • Regular funding to independent schools (only very occasional grants)
  • Activities outside Surrey and adjacent areas (unless through established partnerships with RCM, University of Surrey, or other national bodies)
  • Non-music related activities
  • Activities outside the art and science of music and allied performing arts
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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees, including William John Fortnam Malings, one of the original trustees who continues in office. New trustees may be appointed at any time either by way of replacement or addition. Kate Perry serves as the Trust Administrator and is the primary point of contact for enquiries and applications.

The trustees make final decisions on all grant applications, and their decision is final. Decisions are ratified by the trustees at subsequent meetings. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds support the Trust's charitable purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be directed to the Administrator, Kate Perry, at admin@hrtaylortrust.org.uk. The Trust operates three distinct application routes depending on the applicant type:

  • Schools: State schools in Surrey and adjacent areas can apply for part-funding of musical instruments, equipment, tuition, and capital projects
  • Music Societies: Amateur choirs, orchestras, and operatic societies based in Surrey and adjacent areas can apply for production support
  • Individual Musicians: Children and young adults showing exceptional musical talent who live in Surrey or have a strong link to Surrey (and are UK citizens) and intend to make a career in music can apply for instruments or tuition funding

Applicants are encouraged to email the Trust for further help or advice before submitting a formal application.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are ratified by the trustees at subsequent meetings. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The trustees' decision is final.

Success Rates

Success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed by the Trust.

Reapplication Policy

The reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in publicly available information. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

The Trust has a clear geographic focus on Surrey and adjacent areas, making a strong local connection essential for most applicants. For schools and music societies, demonstrating that you serve communities in the Trust's geographic area is critical.

For individual musicians, the Trust specifically supports those showing “exceptional musical talent” who intend to make a career in music. Applications should clearly demonstrate both outstanding ability and serious career intentions. Having a strong link to Surrey and UK citizenship are requirements for individual applicants outside established partnership institutions.

The Trust's funding approach suggests they value:

  • State education over independent schools (schools should emphasize state school status)
  • Amateur music-making and community performance (societies should highlight community engagement)
  • Long-term musical development (individuals should demonstrate career commitment)

Recent recipients like Croydon Bach Choir, Chandos Choir, and Aquarian Opera demonstrate the Trust's support for established amateur music organizations producing live performances. Schools should note the Trust's interest in both equipment/instruments and tuition, suggesting a holistic approach to music education.

Partnership arrangements with the Royal College of Music and University of Surrey indicate the Trust values institutional quality and reputation for talent development beyond its core geographic area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic connection is paramount: Unless applying through RCM or University of Surrey partnerships, applicants must demonstrate strong links to Surrey and adjacent areas
  • State schools prioritized: Independent schools receive grants only very occasionally; state schools should emphasize their status
  • Amateur music-making valued: The Trust actively supports community music performance by amateur societies
  • Career commitment matters: Individual applicants must demonstrate intention to pursue a professional music career
  • Holistic approach: The Trust funds instruments, equipment, tuition, and capital projects, suggesting comprehensive applications may be well-received
  • Contact before applying: The Trust encourages enquiries for further help or advice, suggesting pre-application contact could strengthen applications
  • Classical focus: References to “live classical music” and partnerships with RCM suggest a classical music focus

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