Lochlands Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £70,000-100,000 (estimated based on recent years)
• Success Rate: Not available (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not available (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Average £3,000 per grant (based on £73,700 to 24 organizations in 2021)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily local (East Sussex area) with some national reach

Contact Details

• Address: Trewyck, Woods Green, Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6QS
• Phone: 01892 782835
• Website: None
• Email: Not published

Overview

Lochlands Trust is a private family grant-making trust established in November 2006, governed by a deed of trust dated 30 August 2006. Based in Wadhurst, East Sussex, the trust operates as an unincorporated charity managed by four trustees from the Adam-Smith family. With annual grant distributions typically ranging from £70,000 to £100,000, the trust focuses its charitable giving on three main areas: culture (particularly local cultural initiatives), medical charities (including local hospice support), and environmental causes. The trust follows a sustainable funding model, maintaining its investment capital while distributing income generated from investments as grants to charitable organizations whose objectives align with the trust's aims.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate specific named grant programs but makes discretionary grants averaging approximately £3,000 per organization based on 2021 data (£73,700 distributed to 24 institutions).

Priority Areas

The trust focuses grant funding on three main charitable areas:

• Culture: Primarily supporting local cultural initiatives and organizations in the East Sussex area
• Medical Charities: Including support for local hospices and healthcare-related charitable organizations
• Environmental Causes: Supporting organizations working on environmental conservation and protection

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are documented, though the trust's focus on the three priority areas suggests limited support outside these sectors.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by four family trustees, all members of the Adam-Smith family:

• Ian Adam-Smith (also serves as trustee of Wadhurst History Society)
• Benedict Charles Adam-Smith
• Sara Elizabeth Grant Adam-Smith
• Timothy Grant Adam-Smith

Trustees are recruited and appointed by existing trustees when required. The governance structure operates without remuneration or benefits to trustees, maintaining a volunteer-led approach. The trust maintains consistent compliance with Charity Commission reporting requirements, submitting annual returns on schedule.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their identification of suitable charitable organizations that align with the trust's three priority areas.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made at trustee discretion without a formal application timeline.

Success Rates

Not available due to the absence of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

No information available regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this trust and absence of published guidelines, organizations seeking support should:

• Demonstrate clear alignment with one of the three priority areas (culture, medical/hospice, environment)
• Have a strong local presence or connection to the East Sussex area, particularly for cultural initiatives
• Show sustainable impact with modest funding amounts (average grants around £3,000)
• Consider that the trust prefers to distribute income rather than capital, suggesting they value organizations that can make good use of regular, modest support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Lochlands Trust is a private family trust without a public application process
• Focus areas are strictly limited to culture (especially local), medical charities/hospices, and environmental causes
• Average grant size is approximately £3,000 based on recent distribution patterns
• The trust maintains a sustainable giving model by distributing investment income rather than capital
• Strong local connections to East Sussex may be advantageous, particularly for cultural projects
• With no public application process, organizations may need to rely on trustee awareness or existing relationships

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• The Searle Charitable Trust
• The Elaine and Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust
• D L M Charitable Trust
• The Consuelo and Anthony Brooke Charitable Trust
• John Jacob Astor Charitable Trust
• THE IAN ASKEW CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE BASIL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• Peter Samuel Charitable Trust
• Peter Dixon Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - LOCHLANDS TRUST (Charity Number: 1116835).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/
• Lochlands Trust Annual Report, Year Ended 31 December 2021. Filed with Charity Commission
• Charity Commission Financial Overview for LOCHLANDS TRUST, Financial Year 2024
• Charity Commission Trustee Information for LOCHLANDS TRUST, Organisation Number 4027641