John Horniman's Children's Trust

Charity Number: 222730

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £80,500 - £145,000 (varies annually)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000
  • Decision Time: 4-6 weeks after trustee meetings
  • Meeting Schedule: May and November (twice yearly)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales
  • Total Grants Since 2004: Over £1.75 million to 120+ organizations

Contact Details

Website: https://hornimanschildrenstrust.org

Email: bal.saini1@btinternet.com

Phone: 0795 108 4474

Address: 6 Upper Vauxhall, The Vauxhall, Wolverhampton WV1 4SY

Overview

Established in 1889 by Quaker tea merchant John Horniman, John Horniman's Children's Trust originally operated a convalescent home for disadvantaged children. When the home closed in 2003, the building was sold and proceeds invested to create a grant-making charity. Since 2004, the Trust has awarded over £1.75 million to more than 120 children's charities. All nine trustees are members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Great Britain, led by Paul High as Chair/Clerk. The Trust reflects Quaker values of honesty and integrity, continuing Horniman's legacy of supporting children's welfare. The Trust typically awards £80,000-£145,000 annually to approximately 30-40 organizations, with all grants now made on an annual basis.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Annual Grants: £1,000 - £5,000 per organization
  • Applications considered at bi-annual trustee meetings (May and November)
  • All grants awarded annually (no multi-year commitments)
  • Fixed deadline system with specific application windows

Priority Areas

The Trust supports children and young people up to age 19 who are:

  • Sick or requiring medical support
  • Convalescent
  • Living with learning disabilities or special educational needs

Recent funded projects include:

  • Family support workers for children with life-limiting illnesses
  • Specialist practitioners in communication skills
  • Therapeutic programs for children with autism
  • Pre-diagnosis therapy for babies with cerebral palsy
  • Holiday activity programs for disabled children
  • Giggle Doctor programmes in children's hospitals
  • Arts and cultural programs for children with mental health challenges
  • Hospice outreach services in rural areas
  • Support for children with rare conditions (e.g., Batten Disease)

What They Don't Fund

  • Building disability access adaptations
  • All-age disabled support groups (must focus on children/young people)
  • General youth work without specific health/disability focus
  • Funds held or dispensed by third parties
  • Charities with annual income over £5 million
  • Projects outside England and Wales
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Governance and Leadership

Structure: Nine trustees, all members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Chair/Clerk: Paul High

Composition: Representatives from various Quaker Area Meetings across Great Britain

The trustees aim to “carry forward the vision of John Horniman” and maintain his commitment to “honest, clean and pure” practices. The Trust protects the capital value of their fund while ensuring sustainable grant-making. Decisions are made collectively during bi-annual meetings, with trustees taking an active interest in funded projects through site visits.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a registered charity with the Charity Commission
  • Annual income must not exceed £5 million
  • Must submit one application per new project

Required Documents:

  • Completed application form (available on website)
  • Most recent Annual Report & Accounts
  • Child Protection Policy
  • Covering letter
  • Two references from individuals (not necessarily Quakers) familiar with your project
  • Optional letter of support

Important Current Restriction: The Trust periodically restricts applications from NEW charities during periods of stock market uncertainty. Check their website for current status. Previously supported organizations can typically continue to apply.

Application Preferences (in order of priority):

  1. Quaker-connected charities
  2. Charities introduced by Quaker Meeting members
  3. Charities known to Trustees
  4. Other eligible charities

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee Meetings: May and November
  • Application Deadlines: Approximately 4 weeks before each meeting (check website for specific dates)
  • Decision Notification: All applicants informed of final decision shortly after trustee meetings
  • Site Visits: Most projects receive a trustee visit either before or during the grant period

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can reapply twice after an initial successful grant, allowing for a total of three consecutive grants. After receiving three successful grants within a three-year period, organizations must take a one-year break before applying again. This policy encourages wider distribution of funds while maintaining support for effective ongoing projects.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Trust Aims: The Trust emphasizes keeping their specific aims and grant criteria in mind. Successful applications clearly demonstrate how projects assist “the relief of sickness and the advancement of the education of children who are sick, convalescent or have learning disabilities.”

Comprehensive Project Details: Applications should “complete each section giving as much information as possible,” including:

  • Full project details and funding amount sought
  • Anticipated number of beneficiaries and their ages
  • Specific illnesses, disabilities, or geographical focus
  • How the project helps children “gain confidence through all the fun and activities”

Trustee Engagement: The Trust conducts site visits to most funded projects, indicating they value direct engagement and verification of project impact. Being prepared for this level of scrutiny demonstrates organizational readiness.

Quaker Connections: While not required, having connections to Quaker meetings or trustees provides an advantage. The Trust explicitly prioritizes Quaker-connected charities and those introduced by Quaker Meeting members.

Financial Prudence: The Trust values protecting their capital while continuing John Horniman's legacy. Applications demonstrating cost-effectiveness and sustainable impact align with this approach.

Recent Examples of Funded Work:

  • Batten Disease Family Association received £3,500 for a Family Support Officer
  • Cerebral Palsy Cymru received £3,000 for pre-diagnosis therapy for babies
  • Theatre Troupe received £4,000 to support work with youth marginalized due to mental health
  • Brainwave Centre received £5,000, with trustees noting appreciation for their online support during lockdown

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Building relationships is critical: With explicit preference for Quaker-connected charities and those known to trustees, invest time in making connections before applying
  • Site visits are standard: Be prepared for trustees to visit your project; this hands-on approach indicates their commitment to understanding funded work
  • Plan for limitations: The Trust periodically closes to new applicants during market uncertainty, so previously supported organizations have significant advantages
  • Match the scale: With grants of £1,000-£5,000, this is best suited for specific project elements rather than core costs
  • Demonstrate specific impact: Focus applications on how your project serves children up to age 19 with health issues or learning disabilities
  • Consider the reapplication cycle: Successful applicants can receive up to three consecutive annual grants, making this a potential medium-term funding relationship
  • Align with Quaker values: While not stated as a requirement, the Trust's Quaker heritage and values of honesty and integrity should be reflected in your application approach

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