Payne Gallwey 1989 Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £175,000 (approx.)
• Success Rate: Approx. 50% (they decline at least 50% of applications)
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months (best to apply in February or August)
• Grant Range: £100 - £15,000 (exceptionally rare above £15,000)
• Geographic Focus: Berkshire (particularly Newbury environs), with national consideration for specific interests

Contact Details

• Website: www.pgct.co.uk
• Phone: 07787234951
• Email: noemail@seeourwebsite.co.uk
• Address: Manor Farm, Faringdon, Wiltshire, SN7 7LW

Overview

The Payne-Gallwey Charitable Trust was established in 1987 by Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey (1935-2008) and formally amended in 1989 following consultation with the Charity Commission. The trust distributes approximately £175,000 annually, funded primarily by Sir Philip's estate and a significant bequest from his mother's estate in 1996. Sir Philip, a former cavalry officer (11th Hussars) who later became a distinguished figure in the bloodstock industry, serving as Director of the British Bloodstock Agency and National Stud and racing manager to the Niarchos family, established the trust to reflect his values centered on “a traditional and rural way of life.” The trust operates with four trustees who receive no remuneration and make collective decisions on all grants. Recent financial data shows total income of £182,692 and expenditure of £239,308 for the year ending April 2025.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a rolling application system with two decision rounds annually:

• High Donations: £7,500 - £15,000 (approximately one-third of annual distribution; grants above £15,000 are exceptionally rare)
• Medium Donations: £4,000 - £6,000 (approximately one-third of annual distribution)
• Small Donations: £100 - £2,000 (normally £2,000; remaining annual distribution)

Applications are reviewed twice yearly in March and September. Optimal submission windows are February or August. Applications submitted at other times may take up to six months for a decision.

Priority Areas

Most Likely to Support:

• Charities with a connection to Berkshire, particularly the Newbury area
• Horse racing initiatives
• Rural life and field sports
• Youth travel programs enabling young people from poorer or deprived backgrounds to travel to teach or better the lives of others (excludes sponsored mountain climbs/rallies)
• Medical research charities
• Church of England projects (within Berkshire)
• Hospice care in Berkshire
• Services for deaf and blind individuals
• Smaller charities (strong preference)

The charities supported reflect Sir Philip's interests including horse racing, country sports, rural life, and medical research.

What They Don't Fund

Unlikely to Support:

• Appeals with targets exceeding £10 million
• Capital projects outside Berkshire (unless connection to Sir Philip's interests or Payne-Gallwey family)
• Schools, hospitals, community centers, and church restoration projects outside Berkshire
• Organizations primarily government-run or administered by local authorities/QUANGOs
• Charities that conflict with National Farmers Union or Country Land Business Association interests
• Organizations ambivalent about or actively campaign against field sports

Ineligible:

• Organizations without charitable objectives/nonprofit status
• Military/services sector charities (approximately 20% of trust funds already directed there)

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by four trustees who serve without remuneration and make collective decisions on all grants. The trust operates in memory of Sir Philip Frankland-Payne-Gallwey, 6th Baronet (1935-2008), who founded the charity.

Sir Philip's background shapes the trust's priorities. After attending West Downs Preparatory School and Eton College, he served in the 11th Hussars from 1955-1961 in Malaya, Catterick, and Northern Ireland before transitioning to the bloodstock industry. He actively contributed to village life in Boxford and served as Churchwarden of Boxford Church.

The trust's mission reflects Sir Philip's commitment to “a traditional and rural way of life,” encompassing rural England, country sports, horse racing, Church of England initiatives, medical research, and assistance to those in need.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted on the official application form (Word document) available on the trust's website at www.pgct.co.uk under “making an application.” The trust explicitly states: “We are unable to consider requests for support from PGCT unless this application form has been completed.”

Application Requirements:

• Complete the mandatory application form
• Supplementary information may be provided, preferably limited to 4 pages of A4
• Avoid submitting bulky annual reports or excessive documentation
• Review the “What We Do” page on the website before applying to confirm eligibility

The trustees strongly encourage potential applicants to study the website thoroughly before submitting an application.

Decision Timeline

• Review Schedule: Applications reviewed twice yearly in March and September
• Optimal Submission Windows: February or August
• Decision Time: Applications submitted outside optimal windows may take up to 6 months for a decision
• Notification: All applications receive written acknowledgment and postal notification of decisions
• Grant Type: One-off grants with no guarantees of future funding

Success Rates

The trust receives substantially more applications than it can fund. According to the trust: “Sadly we receive many more applications than we can afford to support. Thus...we do have to decline at least 50% of the applications we receive.”

This indicates an approximate success rate of 50% or less.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy information is publicly available. Given that grants are one-off with no guarantee of future funding, unsuccessful applicants should contact the trust directly regarding reapplication timelines.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Connection is Critical:

The trust's strongest preference is for organizations with connections to Berkshire, particularly the Newbury area. If you're outside Berkshire, you must demonstrate a clear connection to Sir Philip's interests or the Payne-Gallwey family.

Size Matters:

The trust explicitly states: “While some donees are larger charities, their preference is to support smaller charities.” Smaller organizations may have a competitive advantage.

Alignment with Sir Philip's Values:

Projects that reflect traditional rural life, field sports, horse racing, or the Church of England are more likely to succeed. The trust website notes: "The charities we support are a diverse list in the main reflecting Sir Philip's interests and wishes whilst he was alive."

Youth Development Through Service:

The trust supports “enabling young people particularly from poorer or deprived backgrounds to travel in order to teach or better the lives of others.” However, this excludes sponsored mountain climbs or rallies.

Be Strategic About Timing:

Submit applications in February (for March review) or August (for September review) to minimize waiting time.

Keep It Concise:

The trust requests a maximum of 4 pages of supplementary information and asks applicants to avoid bulky documentation. Clarity and brevity are valued.

Respect the Application Process:

The trust emphasizes that they “only accept applications on the form to be found by clicking on making an application.” Using the correct form is non-negotiable.

Understand the Limitations:

With at least 50% of applications declined and grants rarely exceeding £15,000, set realistic expectations. The trust distributes approximately £175,000 annually across all grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is paramount: Berkshire connections, especially to Newbury, significantly increase your chances. Outside Berkshire, you need a compelling link to Sir Philip's interests.

• Smaller is better: The trust prefers smaller charities and typically makes grants between £2,000-£7,500, with amounts above £15,000 exceptionally rare.

• Traditional values matter: Alignment with rural life, field sports, horse racing, Church of England, or medical research strengthens your application. Opposition to field sports is disqualifying.

• Timing is strategic: Apply in February or August to coincide with March or September trustee meetings and avoid up to 6-month waiting periods.

• One shot, one opportunity: Grants are one-off with no future funding guarantees, and at least 50% of applications are declined, so make your application count.

• Study before you submit: The trustees explicitly encourage thorough review of their website and eligibility criteria before applying—demonstrate this knowledge in your application.

• Follow the rules precisely: Use only the official application form, keep supplementary materials to 4 pages maximum, and avoid excessive documentation.

References

• Payne-Gallwey Charitable Trust official website: www.pgct.co.uk
• PGCT Application page: http://www.pgct.co.uk/application
• PGCT History page: https://pgct.co.uk/history
• PGCT What We Do page: https://pgct.co.uk/whatwedo
• Charity Commission Register of Charities: “PAYNE GALLWEY 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST - 1016286” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1016286&subid=0
• Financial information from Charity Commission for year ending April 5, 2025