Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £64,761 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Monthly grant committee meetings (rolling basis)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000 (typically £1,000 - £2,000)
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Scotland
• Registered Charity: 1139483

Contact Details

Address: Henley Knapp Barn, Fulwell, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 4EN

Phone: 01608 678051

Email: trust@hdhwills.org

Website: www.hdhwills.org

Trust Administrator: Sue Trafford

Overview

The Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust is a subsidiary charity of The HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust, established as a separate registered charity (number 1139483) and incorporated on 25 October 2010. Named after Martin Wills (1953-1992), son of the trust's founder Sir David Wills MBE (1917-1999), the trust continues a family legacy of environmental philanthropy. The trust operates with assets including farming estates in Oxfordshire and Suffolk, where high standards of environmental and wildlife stewardship and conservation are maintained. With an expenditure of £64,761 in the 2024/25 financial year, the trust provides grants on an ad hoc basis specifically for projects working for the conservation of wildlife and the environment. The trust's mission focuses on conservation and maintenance, for the benefit of the public, of the natural environment and its indigenous woodland flora and fauna, with particular reference to the conservation and maintenance of the character and amenity of rural areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Grants

• Amount: Typically £1,000 - £2,000, occasionally up to £5,000
• Application Method: Online application form via www.hdhwills.org (rolling basis, no fixed deadlines for small grants)
• Frequency: Grant committee meets monthly to consider applications
• Use: Grants may be made towards revenue, capital, or project expenditure

Priority Areas

The trust specifically supports charities and organizations focused on:

• Conservation of Wildlife: Projects that protect and conserve indigenous wildlife and fauna
• Natural Environment Maintenance: Conservation and maintenance of the natural environment for public benefit
• Woodland Flora and Fauna: Specific emphasis on woodland ecosystems and their indigenous species
• Rural Character and Amenity: Preservation of the character and amenity of rural areas
• Environmental Protection: Broader environmental conservation initiatives that align with the trust's core mission

What They Don't Fund

• Applications from individuals seeking personal support
• Organizations that have received a grant from the trust within the previous 24 months
• Non-registered charities (must be registered with Charity Commission for England and Wales, Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), or be exempt/excepted charities)
• Projects outside their core focus on wildlife and environmental conservation

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

Thomas Michael Nelson - Chair

• Appointed: 19 September 2025
• Also serves as trustee of The HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust

Martin Guy Fiennes - Trustee

• Appointed: 19 September 2025

John Seton Burrell Carson - Trustee

• Also serves as trustee of The HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust

Rupert Spencer Ponsonby - Trustee

• Also serves as trustee of the Ormonde Foundation

Trust Administrator

Sue Trafford - Handles day-to-day administration and application processing

Organizational Structure

The Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust operates as a company limited by guarantee without share capital (Company Number: 07417972) and is a subsidiary of The HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust. The parent trust was founded by Sir David Wills MBE, whose commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in the management of farming estates in Oxfordshire and Suffolk, where the highest standards of wildlife conservation are maintained.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the online application form available at www.hdhwills.org/grants/online-application-form/

Important Application Notes:

• The online application is a live form that must be completed in one sitting
• Ensure all relevant information is prepared before starting
• Maximum file upload size: 6MB
• Supported file types: PDF, PNG, JPEG, Word documents
• Applications are treated as strictly confidential

Required Information:

1. Charity Details: Name, registration number, charitable status, brief organizational description, geographical area of support
2. Contact Details: Name, position, email, postal address, phone, website
3. Project Information: Total funding requested, overall project cost, funding already raised, project summary, uploaded project proposal
4. Financial Statements: Previous financial records
5. Safeguarding Policy: Confirmation of policies for working with children/vulnerable adults (if applicable)
6. Bank Account Details: For grant payment if successful
7. Previous Applications: Details of any previous applications to the trust

Before Applying:

• Review the grant criteria carefully on the website
• Read all guidance notes thoroughly
• Ensure your organization meets eligibility requirements
• Verify you haven't received a grant from the trust in the previous 24 months

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: Rolling basis - no fixed deadlines for small/monthly grants
• Committee Meetings: Grant committee meets monthly
• Acknowledgment: Online applications are automatically acknowledged upon submission
• Notification: Applicants notified of the decision via email after the committee has considered the application
• Typical Decision Time: Approximately 4-8 weeks from submission (estimated based on monthly meeting cycle)

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed by the trust. However, based on financial data:

• Annual expenditure in 2024/25: £64,761
• Typical grant range: £1,000 - £2,000
• This suggests approximately 30-60 grants may be made annually

Reapplication Policy

24-Month Waiting Period: The trust will not generally make a grant to an organization that it has supported within the previous 24 months. Organizations should wait at least two years after receiving a grant before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Clear Conservation Focus: The trust's mission is explicitly focused on conservation and maintenance of the natural environment, woodland flora and fauna, and rural character. Applications that clearly demonstrate how their project aligns with these specific priorities are more likely to succeed.

Public Benefit: Projects must demonstrate clear benefit to the public. The trust's charitable objects specifically mention “for the benefit of the public,” so applications should articulate how the wildlife or environmental work will serve broader community interests.

Indigenous Species and Woodland: The trust has a particular reference to “indigenous woodland flora and fauna.” Projects focusing on native species and woodland ecosystems may have stronger alignment with the trust's core mission.

Rural Character and Amenity: Projects that contribute to the conservation and maintenance of rural areas' character and amenity align well with the stated priorities.

Application Quality

Complete Documentation: Applications are only considered complete when all supporting documentation has been received. Ensure all required information is provided and all sections of the online form are completed.

Financial Clarity: Clearly state the total project cost, funding already secured, and exactly how the requested grant will be used. The trust funds revenue, capital, and project expenditure, so be specific about which category your request falls into.

Appropriate Grant Size: Most grants are £1,000-£2,000, with occasional grants up to £5,000. Tailor your request to fit within this range and ensure it represents a meaningful contribution to your specific project rather than general organizational costs.

Registered Charity Status: Ensure your organization is properly registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), or is an exempt/excepted charity. This is a fundamental eligibility requirement.

Strategic Considerations

24-Month Rule: If your organization has previously received funding from the trust, wait the full 24 months before reapplying. Premature applications will likely be declined.

Connection to Wills Family Legacy: The trust was founded by Sir David Wills MBE and named after his son Martin Wills, both of whom were committed to environmental stewardship. Understanding this family legacy and the trust's roots in farming estates managed for wildlife conservation may help frame applications appropriately.

Geographic Coverage: While based in Oxfordshire, the trust's parent organization has a broad charitable objective “to promote charitable purposes anywhere in the world.” However, for practical purposes, they support charities registered in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small grants specialist: This trust focuses on modest grants (£1,000-£2,000), making it ideal for small conservation charities or specific project components rather than major initiatives

• Rolling applications: No fixed deadlines mean you can apply when ready, but monthly committee meetings suggest applications should be timely and well-prepared

• Wildlife and environment only: The trust has a narrow, specific focus - only apply if your project genuinely centers on wildlife conservation or environmental maintenance

• 24-month waiting period: Plan your funding strategy accordingly if you've previously received a grant; you cannot reapply within two years

• Complete applications only: The online form must be completed in one sitting with all documentation ready - prepare thoroughly before starting the application process

• Parent trust relationship: Understanding the broader HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust context and its commitment to environmental stewardship across its farming estates may provide useful insight into the trust's values

• Monthly decisions: With monthly committee meetings and rolling applications, the trust offers relatively quick turnaround compared to trusts with annual cycles

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Langdale Trust
• The Dischma Charitable Trust
• The Batchworth Trust
• Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
• Henry and Rebecca Tinsley Charitable Trust
• The Belforte Trust
• Chapman Charitable Trust
• THE BASIL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Northwick Trust
• CLA Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register: Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust (Charity 1139483) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1139483&subid=0

• HDH Wills Official Website - Grant Criteria: https://hdhwills.org/grants/

• HDH Wills Official Website - About: https://hdhwills.org/about/

• HDH Wills Official Website - Online Application Form: https://hdhwills.org/grants/online-application-form/

• HDH Wills Official Website - Contact: https://hdhwills.org/contact/

• Companies House: Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust (Company 07417972) - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07417972

• Charity Commission Register: Trustees of Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5015037/trustees

• Funding Scotland: HDH Wills - Small and Monthly Grants - https://funding.scot/funds/a0R3z00000JdVMsEAN/hdh-wills-monthly-grants