Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: Approximately £280,000-£390,000
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Geographic Focus: England & Wales
- Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion
Contact Details
Address: C/O Sayers Butterworth LLP, 3rd Floor, 12 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DW
Phone: 020 7936 1910
Charity Number: 286547
Website: Not available
Email: Not publicly available
Overview
The Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 5 May 1983. The trust operates as a grant-making charitable foundation with broad discretionary powers. According to the most recent financial data available (year ending 5 April 2024), the trust had a total income of £282,062 and total expenditure of £392,425. The trust is governed by three trustees and is administered through the accountancy firm Sayers Butterworth LLP in London. The trust maintains consistent compliance with Charity Commission reporting requirements, with accounts generally submitted on time. The trust was established with provisions allowing the settlor to direct charitable purposes during her lifetime, with trustees exercising full discretion following her death. The trust makes grants to organizations for general charitable purposes, with all grant-making decisions made at the absolute discretion of the trustees.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The trust does not operate formal grant programs with defined application windows or funding tiers. All grants are made at the trustees' absolute discretion.
Priority Areas
The trust has very broad charitable objects, stating that “the funds of the trust are to be applied for or towards such charitable purposes at such time or times and in such manner as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit.” This allows the trustees flexibility to support a wide range of charitable causes.
The trust is classified by the Charity Commission as:
- Serving the general public/mankind
- Making grants to other charities or voluntary bodies
- Supporting general charitable purposes
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As the trust operates at trustee discretion without a public application process, funding decisions are made based on trustees' knowledge and priorities.

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Governance and Leadership
The Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust is governed by three trustees:
- Anthony Gerard Mahoney - Chair (appointed 2006)
- Fiona Ainslie-Brown - Trustee (appointed 2012)
- Susan Mary Simmons - Trustee (appointed 2008)
Some sources also reference Paul Ffitch as a trustee (appointed 2012), though this may reflect historic records.
No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the trust. The trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and no trading subsidiaries.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This trust does not have a public application process. The trust makes grants to organizations at the absolute discretion of the trustees. Grants are typically made to organizations already known to the trustees, and unsolicited applications are not accepted.
The trust's governing document explicitly states that funds shall be applied “in such manner as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit,” giving trustees complete control over grant-making decisions.
Organizations seeking support would need to have an existing connection or relationship with one of the trustees or be known to them through their charitable sector networks.
Application Success Factors
Given the trust's discretionary nature and lack of public application process, success in securing funding depends on:
- Having an existing relationship with one or more trustees
- Operating within charitable purposes that align with trustees' interests and priorities
- Being known to the trustees through charitable sector networks or professional connections
- Demonstrating strong charitable impact and governance
- Operating as a registered charity or recognized charitable organization
The trust fulfills its objectives by “making grants or donations,” confirming it is an active grant-making foundation despite the absence of a formal application process.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust operates exclusively through trustee discretion with no public application process
- Grants are made to organizations already known to the trustees - unsolicited applications are not accepted
- The trust has very broad charitable objects, allowing trustees flexibility across causes
- Annual expenditure of approximately £280,000-£390,000 indicates active grant-making
- The trust is administered through Sayers Butterworth LLP, a professional accountancy firm
- With only three trustees, decision-making is concentrated among a small group
- The trust maintains good compliance with Charity Commission reporting requirements
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- CECIL AND HILDA LEWIS CHARITABLE TRUST
- The Elaine and Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust
- The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust
- The Balney Charitable Trust
- The Burry Charitable Trust
- Ewell Parochial Trusts (Relief in Need)
- The Carrington Charitable Trust
- P E LENNARD CHARITABLE WILL TRUST
- D L M Charitable Trust
- The Trillium Trust UK
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References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities - Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust (Charity Number 286547): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=286547&subid=0
- Charity Commission Accounts and Annual Returns - Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/286547/accounts-and-annual-returns
- Giving is Great Charity Factsheet - Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust: https://givingisgreat.org.uk/charity-factsheet/?regNo=286547
- OpenCharities - Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust: http://opencharities.org/charities/286547
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust fund?
Grant Programs The trust does not operate formal grant programs with defined application windows or funding tiers. All grants are made at the trustees' absolute discretion.
How much funding does Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust provide?
Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust provides grants ranging from Not publicly disclosed, with total annual giving of approximately Approximately £280,000-£390,000.
How do I contact Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust?
Address: C/O Sayers Butterworth LLP, 3rd Floor, 12 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DW Phone: 020 7936 1910 Charity Number: 286547 Website: Not available Email: Not publicly available
Is Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust a registered charity?
Yes, Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 286547). They primarily serve organisations in Surrey.
How do I apply to Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust?
How to Apply This trust does not have a public application process. The trust makes grants to organizations at the absolute discretion of the trustees. Grants are typically made to organizations already known to the trustees, and unsolicited applications are not accepted.
Where is Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust based?
They fund organisations in Surrey.