Peter Stormonth Darling Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1049946

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £362,612 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Biannual trustee meetings (applications reviewed twice yearly)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (majority below £3,000; some sources cite up to £25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international

Contact Details

Email: secretary@thepsdtrust.com

Address: The Peter Stormonth Darling Charitable Trust, c/o Soditic Ltd, 12 Charles II Street, London SW1Y 4QU

Phone: Not provided (Trust does not accept telephone applications)

Website: No public website

Overview

Established in 1995, the Peter Stormonth Darling Charitable Trust honors the legacy of Peter Stormonth Darling (1932-2019), a prominent British investment banker who chaired Mercury Asset Management from 1979 to 1992. The Trust focuses on supporting nationally registered charities working in medical research, sport and education, conservation and heritage, culture, and veterans' support and commemoration. With an annual grant distribution of approximately £362,612 (2024), the Trust operates as a traditional grant-making charity that prioritizes recognized national charities and local charities with which trustees have first-hand knowledge. Peter Stormonth Darling's lifetime commitment to heritage conservation—including serving as Chair of World Monuments Fund Britain from 2007 to 2009—continues to inform the Trust's funding priorities, particularly in conservation and heritage projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single rolling grant program with the following characteristics:

  • General Grants: £1,000 - £10,000 (majority of grants awarded below £3,000)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via electronic submission only
  • Note: Some sources indicate grants may range up to £25,000 for exceptional projects

Priority Areas

The Trust actively funds organizations working in:

  • Medical Research: Healthcare initiatives and medical progress projects
  • Sport and Education: Sports facility development and educational programs
  • Conservation and Heritage: Historic preservation, conservation projects (reflecting founder's passion for heritage)
  • Culture and Arts: Cultural organizations and artistic initiatives
  • Veterans' Support and Commemoration: Support for Armed Forces veterans and military commemorative projects

What They Don't Fund

While the Trust does not publish explicit exclusions, their eligibility criteria effectively limits funding to:

  • Only recognized national charities
  • Local charities where trustees have direct first-hand knowledge of proper and efficient management
  • The Trust does not respond to unsolicited appeals from organizations outside these criteria
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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (as of 2024-2025)

Candis Christa Taylor - Chair

Oliver Justin Cobb - Trustee (appointed June 2025)

Angus Stormonth Darling - Trustee (appointed June 2025)

Likely a family member continuing the founder's philanthropic legacy

Frederick David Stewart Rosier - Trustee (appointed June 2024)

Also serves as trustee for The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust CIO, indicating expertise in veterans' support and military heritage

Dr. Elizabeth Iona Cobb - Trustee (appointed November 2023)

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustee composition reflects the Trust's continued commitment to heritage, veterans' affairs, and family stewardship of the founder's philanthropic vision.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Trust cannot accept applications by post or by telephone. All applications must be submitted electronically to secretary@thepsdtrust.com.

Key Application Requirements:

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Electronic submission required
  • The Trust will review all submissions but may only respond if further information is required
  • Applicants should not expect acknowledgment unless the trustees require additional details

Eligibility Criteria:

The Trust's explicit policy is to give grants only to:

  1. Recognized national charities, OR
  2. Local charities of which the trustees have first-hand knowledge that they are properly and efficiently managed

Decision Timeline

  • Review Frequency: Trustees meet twice a year to review grant requests
  • Response Time: Not publicly disclosed; applicants may only hear back if additional information is needed
  • Notification: Given the biannual trustee meetings, applicants should anticipate waiting periods that align with these meeting schedules

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust's policy of funding only recognized national charities or local charities known to trustees suggests a selective approach with potentially modest success rates for unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations are advised to contact the Trust directly regarding reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and the founder's legacy, successful applications likely share these characteristics:

1. Strong Heritage and Conservation Components

Given Peter Stormonth Darling's leadership of World Monuments Fund Britain and his championing of projects at Stowe House, St Paul's Cathedral, St George's Bloomsbury, Headford House in Ireland, and Hyderabad in India, applications with heritage preservation or conservation elements may resonate particularly well with trustees.

2. National Recognition and Established Track Record

The Trust explicitly prioritizes “recognized national charities,” suggesting that established organizations with proven track records and national charitable registration will be favored over newer or smaller local groups (unless trustees have direct knowledge).

3. Alignment with Multiple Priority Areas

Projects that span multiple funding priorities—such as educational programs at heritage sites, sports facilities for veterans, or medical research with cultural components—may be particularly competitive.

4. Veterans' Connection

Frederick David Stewart Rosier's involvement with Battle of Britain Memorial Trusts and Peter Stormonth Darling's military service (Black Watch, Korea, Second Battle of the Hook) suggest strong trustee interest in veterans' support and military commemoration projects.

5. Clear Demonstration of Proper Management

The Trust emphasizes funding charities that are “properly and efficiently managed.” Applications should demonstrate strong governance, financial management, and organizational capacity.

6. Realistic Funding Requests

With most grants falling below £3,000, applicants should request amounts within this range unless the project is exceptional and clearly aligns with Trust priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Electronic submission only: Do not mail or telephone; use secretary@thepsdtrust.com for all applications
  • Be patient with responses: The Trust may only respond if additional information is needed; silence does not necessarily indicate rejection before trustee meetings
  • Emphasize national recognition: Highlight your charity's national registration, established track record, and recognition in your sector
  • Connect to heritage and conservation: Where possible, demonstrate how your project relates to heritage preservation, conservation, or cultural preservation—areas close to the founder's heart
  • Veterans' projects have appeal: Given trustee composition and founder's military background, veterans' support and military commemoration projects appear well-aligned
  • Keep grant requests modest: Aim for the £1,000-£3,000 range unless you have exceptional justification for larger amounts
  • Demonstrate efficient management: Provide clear evidence of proper governance, financial controls, and efficient operations to meet the Trust's stated criteria

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