Peter Samuel Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 269065

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £158,107 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly available (known grant: £10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide with particular focus on South Central Berkshire, East Somerset, and the Scottish Highlands

Contact Details

Address: The Estate Office, Farley Hall, Castle Road, Farley Hill, Reading, RG7 1UL

Phone: 0118 973 0047

Email: PA@FARLEYFARMS.CO.UK

Website: None

Overview

The Peter Samuel Charitable Trust was established in 1975 as a private trust and operates from the Farley Hall Estate in Berkshire. The trust represents the philanthropic legacy of Peter Samuel, 4th Viscount Bearsted (1911-1996), continuing a family tradition of charitable giving that spans generations. Currently chaired by Nicholas Alan Samuel, 5th Viscount Bearsted, with Hon Michael John Samuel serving as co-trustee, the trust had a total income of £155,097 and expenditure of £158,107 in the year ending March 2024. The trust operates as a grant-making body supporting other charities and voluntary organizations across England, Wales, and Scotland, with particular interest in projects within specific geographic areas of South Central Berkshire, East Somerset, and the Scottish Highlands.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates on a rolling application basis with no fixed deadlines. Specific grant amounts are not publicly advertised, but documented grants include £10,000 to Full Fact in 2017.

Priority Areas

The trust's interests encompass:

  • Medical Sciences: Healthcare and wellbeing initiatives
  • Jewish Concerns: Support for Jewish charities and religious activities
  • Heritage: Building preservation and heritage conservation
  • Forestry/Land Restoration: Environmental conservation and land management
  • Quality of Life Improvements: Particularly in South Central Berkshire, East Somerset, and the Scottish Highlands
  • Disaster and Emergency Services: Emergency response and support services

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified, though the trust's defined areas of interest suggest focus outside these priorities would be unlikely to receive support.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by two trustees:

Viscount Nicholas Alan Bearsted (Chair): Born 22 January 1950, Nicholas Alan Samuel succeeded as 5th Viscount Bearsted in 1996. Educated at Eton College and New College, Oxford, he continues the family's philanthropic tradition while managing the Farley Hall Estate in Berkshire.

Hon Michael John Samuel (Trustee): Younger son of Peter Samuel, 4th Viscount Bearsted. Michael Samuel is a prominent philanthropist who co-founded Full Fact in 2010 and has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Anna Freud Centre since 2003. He also oversees the M J Samuel Charitable Trust.

Neither trustee receives remuneration from the charity. The trust benefits from the Samuel family's long-standing commitment to philanthropy, dating back to Marcus Samuel, 1st Viscount Bearsted (1853-1927), who made generous donations to both Jewish and non-Jewish charities and funded the Bearsted Memorial Hospital.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications can be made at any time throughout the year on a rolling basis. There is no formal application portal or standardized application form. Prospective applicants should contact the trust by phone or email to initiate the application process.

Contact methods:

  • Phone: 0118 973 0047
  • Email: PA@FARLEYFARMS.CO.UK

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. Given the trust's small trustee body and rolling application system, decisions are likely made by the two trustees during regular meetings.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No information is publicly available regarding reapplication policies or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about the trust's decision-making process, the following factors appear relevant based on available evidence:

Geographic Alignment: The trust has explicit interest in projects benefiting South Central Berkshire, East Somerset, and the Scottish Highlands. Projects in these regions that align with the trust's thematic priorities may have stronger consideration.

Family Philanthropic Values: The trust continues a multi-generational commitment to supporting Jewish charities, medical sciences, and heritage preservation. Understanding this legacy may inform alignment with the trust's values.

Quality of Life Focus: The trust emphasizes improving quality of life in its priority geographic areas, suggesting preference for projects with demonstrable community impact.

Known Supported Organization: Full Fact received £10,000 in 2017, indicating the trust supports organizations working on information quality and fact-checking, which may relate to the trustees' broader interests in civic society.

Environmental and Heritage Projects: With explicit interest in forestry/land restoration and heritage preservation, projects in these areas aligned with the trust's geographic focus may be well-positioned.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Rolling applications accepted: Contact the trust at any time by phone or email rather than waiting for specific deadlines
  • Geographic targeting matters: Explicitly demonstrate how your project benefits South Central Berkshire, East Somerset, or the Scottish Highlands if relevant
  • Multi-thematic approach: The trust has diverse interests spanning medical sciences, Jewish concerns, heritage, environment, and emergency services
  • Small trustee body: With only two trustees, decisions are made by individuals with deep family philanthropic knowledge and specific expertise
  • Relationship-based: The lack of formal application process suggests relationship-building and clear initial communication are important
  • Heritage connection: The trust operates from a Grade I listed historic estate, suggesting genuine appreciation for heritage and conservation work
  • No public reporting of grants: Limited transparency means learning about the trust's recent funding patterns requires direct inquiry

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