J And M Britton Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £208,673 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Twice yearly (May and November)
• Grant Range: Not specified - £250,000 (largest known grant)
• Geographic Focus: Bristol and South Gloucestershire

Contact Details

Address: 3A Merlin Haven, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7BA

Phone: 01453 498044

Contact Person: Mr Robert Bernays (Trustee)

Charity Number: 1081979

Website: No official website

Overview

The J AND M BRITTON CHARITABLE TRUST was established in the 1960s by John Henshaw Britton CBE and his wife Monica, and formally registered as a charity in 2000. The trust has total expenditure of £208,673 annually (2024 financial year) and focuses exclusively on supporting registered charities in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area. The trust operates on a discretionary basis, with trustees selecting charitable institutions and purposes according to their absolute discretion. The trust has a particular heritage connection to organ music and continues to support organ restoration projects, alongside general charitable activities including humanitarian relief, poverty alleviation, and education. The trust's most significant known grant was £250,000 to Bristol Beacon (formerly Colston Hall) for organ restoration, resulting in the organ being named The Britton Organ. No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single discretionary grant program with no specified minimum or maximum amounts. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with decisions made twice yearly in May and November.

Priority Areas

• General charitable activities in the Bristol area
• Education initiatives in Bristol and South Gloucestershire
• Organ restoration and music education - continuing founder Jack Britton's passion for organ music
• Hospital appeals and healthcare-related charities
• Humanitarian and disaster relief organizations
• Poverty alleviation programs
• Charities where trustees have personal involvement or knowledge

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Non-registered charities
• Organizations operating outside Bristol and South Gloucestershire

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 6 trustees who serve without remuneration. Known trustees include:

• Mr Robert Bernays - Primary contact for applications
• Caroline Duckworth - Treasurer

About the Founders

John Henshaw Britton CBE (1904-1990) was a prominent Bristol businessman and civic leader. Born in 1904, he was musical from a young age and played organ at Kingswood Methodist Church. He attended Bristol Grammar School and Clifton College, and read Classics at Trinity College, Oxford (though he wanted to study music). He took over the family boot and shoe-making company G B Britton & Sons, making it highly successful. He served as Sheriff of Bristol in 1954, Chairman of Bristol Magistrates, was created CBE, and became Governor and later President of Council at Clifton College. Throughout his life, he maintained his passion for organ music, giving new organs to his local church at Syston, to Trinity College Oxford, and supporting numerous other organ refurbishments.

Monica Britton was a pioneering diplomat in the Foreign Office and was the first woman diplomat posted abroad, serving in Washington.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The trust accepts written applications submitted by post. Applications should be sent to:

Mr Robert Bernays

J AND M BRITTON CHARITABLE TRUST

3A Merlin Haven

Wotton-under-Edge

Gloucestershire GL12 7BA

Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application.

Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year. There is no application form or online portal.

Decision Timeline

The trustees meet to make funding decisions twice annually, typically in May and November. The exact timeframe from application submission to decision notification is not publicly specified but depends on when applications are received relative to the trustee meeting schedule.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication following an unsuccessful application is not publicly available. Organizations should inquire directly with the trust.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented activities and priorities:

• Strong Bristol/South Gloucestershire connection - The trust exclusively funds charities operating in this geographic area
• Registered charity status is mandatory - The trust will not consider applications from individuals or unregistered organizations
• Trustee familiarity helps - Documentation indicates the trust makes “grants to local charities such as hospital appeals and other charities that the trustees are involved in,” suggesting that charities known to trustees or in areas where trustees have expertise may have an advantage
• Organ and music projects aligned with heritage - While not exclusively funding music, the trust has made its largest known grant (£250,000) to organ restoration and continues the founder's passion for supporting organ music and scholarships for young organists
• Clear charitable purpose - With broad discretionary powers, trustees look for well-defined charitable objectives in areas including education, humanitarian relief, and poverty alleviation
• Hospital and healthcare appeals - Specifically mentioned as an area of interest

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute - Only Bristol and South Gloucestershire charities are eligible; do not apply if you operate outside this area
• Timing matters - With only two decision points per year (May and November), plan your application timeline accordingly and submit well in advance of funding needs
• Heritage in organ music - If your charity involves organ restoration, music education (particularly for young organists), or church music, this trust has demonstrated significant interest and capacity for large grants in this area
• Trustee connections may be valuable - The trust acknowledges funding “charities that the trustees are involved in,” suggesting relationship-building with trustees could be beneficial
• No specified grant limits - While amounts aren't published, the trust has made grants ranging to at least £250,000, so don't self-limit your ask if it's justified
• Traditional application process - Prepare for a postal application with SASE; this is a traditional trust without modern digital infrastructure
• Education and humanitarian work welcomed - Beyond the organ music heritage, general education and humanitarian/poverty relief work in the Bristol area align with stated priorities

References

• J AND M BRITTON CHARITABLE TRUST - Charity Commission Register -
• J & M Britton Trust - Bristol and District Organists' Association - Information about founders and organ grants -
• £250k donation towards the restoration of Bristol Beacon's unique organ - Bristol Beacon - Details of major grant -
• J and M Britton Charitable Trust - BANDLtd.org.uk - Application process and eligibility -
• Trustees - J AND M BRITTON CHARITABLE TRUST - Charity Commission - Trustee information -