Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £188,000 - £240,000 (based on recent expenditure)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly documented
- Grant Range: Small grants (specific amounts not disclosed)
- Geographic Focus: England and Wales (no defined area of benefit)
Contact Details
- Address: 39 Rodbourne Road, Birmingham, B17 0PN
- Phone: 07854175530
- Email: john.w.desmond@googlemail.com
- Website: None
Overview
The Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust was established by Trust Deed on 14 December 1984 and registered with the Charity Commission on 7 January 1985. With annual expenditure typically between £188,000 and £240,000, the Trust operates as a discretionary grant-making foundation supporting general charitable purposes across England and Wales.
The Trust's governing document grants trustees “uncontrolled discretion” to apply both income and capital for charitable purposes. This broad mandate allows them to support a wide range of causes without restrictive geographic or thematic limitations. The Trust supports both organisations and individuals, providing flexibility in how they distribute funds.
Recent financial data shows the Trust has operated with some deficits in recent years, with spending occasionally exceeding income. For the year ending April 2025, the Trust reported income of £233,396 and expenditure of £188,161. The Trust is registered with HMRC for Gift Aid and maintains up-to-date reporting with the Charity Commission.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Trust makes:
- Grants to organisations: For general charitable purposes, including core costs
- Grants to individuals: For charitable purposes (specific criteria not publicly documented)
Priority Areas
Based on available information and UN Sustainable Development Goal alignment:
- Poverty reduction (SDG 1: No Poverty)
- Reducing inequalities (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)
- General charitable purposes supporting the public benefit
Known grants have supported:
- Community organisations (e.g., Birmingham Community Matters - core costs)
- Small community groups in the Birmingham area
What They Don't Fund
No explicit exclusions are documented. However, as a discretionary trust, funding decisions are made at trustees' sole discretion.
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Governance and Leadership
The Trust is governed by six trustees:
| Name | Role | Appointment Date | Notable |
|------|------|------------------|---------|
| Victor Michael Clements Lyttle FCA | Trustee | Not specified | Also trustee of Hearts of England Association, Coram Life Education West Mercia |
| John William Desmond | Trustee | Not specified | Primary contact; also trustee of The Betty Kensik Fund, Hearts of England Association |
| Verena Carol Adams | Trustee | Not specified | - |
| Lynn Brookes | Trustee | 22 March 2021 | Also trustee of Hearts of England Association |
| Alastair Michael James Lyttle | Trustee | 22 March 2021 | - |
| Daniel Benjamin Adams | Trustee | 22 March 2021 | - |
Governance Notes:
- Gender composition: 66.7% male, 33.3% female
- No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
- The Trust has financial reserves and risk management policies in place
- Several trustees share roles with Hearts of England Association, which operates from the same address
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a documented public application process. The Trust operates under trustee discretion, meaning grant decisions are made by the trustees based on their own assessment of charitable needs and opportunities.
To enquire about funding:
- Contact: John William Desmond (Trustee)
- Email: john.w.desmond@googlemail.com
- Phone: 07854175530
Organisations seeking support should consider:
- Writing a clear, concise letter outlining their charitable work
- Explaining how a grant would benefit the public
- Demonstrating alignment with the Trust's general charitable objectives
- Providing evidence of organisational credibility and need
Decision Timeline
Not publicly documented. Enquiries should be made directly to the Trust.
Success Rates
Not publicly available.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly documented.
Application Success Factors
Based on the Trust's known activities and characteristics:
- Demonstrate genuine charitable need: The Trust supports general charitable purposes, so clear articulation of public benefit is essential
- Request appropriate amounts: Known grants to organisations have been described as “small grants” - modest requests for specific purposes are likely more appropriate than large capital asks
- Core costs may be considered: The Trust has provided grants towards core operational costs (e.g., to Birmingham Community Matters), suggesting they recognise the importance of organisational sustainability
- Community focus appears valued: Known grants have supported community-based organisations in the Birmingham area, though the Trust operates across England and Wales
- Personal approach recommended: Given the discretionary nature and lack of formal application process, a well-crafted personal letter to the trustees may be the best approach
- Alignment with poverty reduction and inequality: The Trust's alignment with SDGs 1 and 10 suggests work addressing deprivation and inequality may resonate
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No formal application process exists - direct contact with trustees is required
- Small grants are typical - the Trust provides modest funding rather than major capital grants
- Broad charitable purposes accepted - no restrictive thematic or geographic limitations documented
- Core costs funding is possible - demonstrated by grants to Birmingham Community Matters
- Personal relationships matter - as a discretionary trust, building rapport with trustees may be valuable
- Birmingham connections may help - several trustees are involved with Birmingham-based charities
- Annual giving around £188,000-£240,000 - this suggests the Trust makes multiple grants of modest size each year
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References
- Charity Commission Register - Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust (326761): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=326761&subid=0
- Charity Commission - Governing Document Details: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/326761/governing-document
- Charity Commission - Trustees Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/326761/trustees
- Charity Commission - Accounts and Annual Returns: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/326761/accounts-and-annual-returns
- Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charitydetail/?regNo=326761
- Charity Choice - Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/lillie-johnson-charitable-trust-129812
- Birmingham Community Matters - Our Funders: https://www.birminghamcommunitymatters.org.uk/about-us/our-funders/
Information compiled December 2025