Peter Storrs Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,000 - £200,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 3-6 months (trustees meet twice yearly)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: National (UK registered charities, working UK and/or overseas)

Contact Details

Address: The P J F Storrs Charitable Trust, Smithfield Accountants, 117 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6AA

Phone: 020 7253 3757

Website: None

Email: Not publicly available

Note: Applications should be submitted in writing by post to the address above.

Overview

The Peter Storrs Trust (also known as the P J F Storrs Trust) is a London-based charitable trust registered with the UK Charity Commission (charity number 313804). Established to support the advancement of education and other charitable objects, the Trust has a dual mission: providing scholarships for Peterhouse (University of Cambridge) students to extend their education, particularly outside the United Kingdom, and making grants to UK registered charities for educational and other charitable purposes at the trustees' discretion.

With annual grant expenditure normally between £100,000 and £200,000, the Trust aims to distribute 80-90% of its investment income each year, though this varies depending on grant-making opportunities and investment returns. Recent financial data shows total income of £137,088 and total expenditure of £115,264 for the financial year ending April 2025. The Trust is governed by three trustees and operates without a website or public-facing digital presence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: £1,000 - £10,000

• Rolling application basis
• Applications accepted in writing at any time
• Decisions made at trustee meetings held every 6 months

Priority Areas

The Trust supports UK registered charities working in the following areas:

• Education and Training: The Trust's primary focus, including educational programmes and training initiatives
• Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Science: Organisations advancing cultural and scientific knowledge
• General Charitable Purposes: Broad charitable activities at trustees' discretion
• Overseas Aid and Famine Relief: International development and humanitarian work
• Religion: Faith-based charitable activities
• Health: Healthcare and wellbeing initiatives
• Peterhouse Scholarships: Specific support for graduates and undergraduates of Peterhouse, Cambridge, particularly for education outside the UK

What They Don't Fund

The Trust does not specify explicit exclusions in available public documentation. However, eligibility is limited to:

• UK registered charities only (no individuals, non-registered groups, or non-UK organisations)

Ready to write a winning application for Peter Storrs Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Peter Storrs Trust is governed by a board of three trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust operates without employees, keeping administrative costs minimal.

Specific names of current trustees are not readily available in public sources but can be verified through the Charity Commission register. The Trust's registered address at Smithfield Accountants suggests professional accounting support for the Trust's administration.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be made in writing and sent by post to:

The P J F Storrs Charitable Trust

Smithfield Accountants

117 Charterhouse Street

London EC1M 6AA

The Trust operates on a rolling application basis with no specific deadlines. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Application Format: Written applications (no online portal or email submissions available)

Key Information to Include: While specific application requirements are not published, applicants should ensure their written applications clearly demonstrate:

• Confirmation of UK registered charity status
• Charitable objectives and activities
• Specific purpose for which funding is sought
• Requested grant amount (typically £1,000 - £10,000)
• How the grant will advance education or other charitable purposes

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Held every 6 months (semi-annually)
• Expected Decision Time: 3-6 months, depending on when the application is submitted relative to the next trustee meeting
• Notification Method: Not specified in available sources

Applicants should be aware that timing is dependent on the Trust's meeting schedule. An application submitted just after a trustee meeting may need to wait up to 6 months for consideration.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust does not publish information about the number of applications received or the percentage of successful grants.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented in available sources. Organisations should contact the Trust directly if they wish to reapply after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated objectives and operational approach, the following factors are likely to strengthen applications:

Alignment with Educational Mission: The Trust's primary purpose is the advancement of education. Applications that clearly demonstrate educational impact or support educational activities are likely to be prioritised.

Connection to Peterhouse, Cambridge: While the Trust makes grants beyond its scholarship programme, organisations with connections to Peterhouse or the University of Cambridge may have strategic alignment with the Trust's founding purposes.

Clear Charitable Purpose: As the Trust supports “general charitable purposes” at trustees' discretion, applications should articulate clear charitable objectives that fall within the Trust's broad areas of interest.

Appropriate Grant Size: Applications should typically request between £1,000 and £10,000, aligning with the Trust's stated grant range. Requests outside this range may be less competitive.

UK Registered Charity Status: Only UK registered charities are eligible. Applications must demonstrate current charitable registration.

Geographical Reach: The Trust supports work both within the UK and overseas, so both domestic and international projects appear eligible for consideration.

Realistic Timelines: Given the 3-6 month decision timeline, applicants should plan accordingly and not apply if funding is needed urgently.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Simple Application Process: Written applications by post offer a straightforward, low-barrier application method with no complex forms or online portals
• Patient Timeline Required: With trustees meeting only twice yearly, organisations needing rapid funding decisions should look elsewhere
• Small but Significant Grants: The £1,000 - £10,000 range suits small to medium-sized projects or specific programme elements
• Education Focus First: While other charitable purposes are supported, education is the Trust's primary mission and likely receives preference
• Discretionary Grantmaking: Trustees have significant discretion in grantmaking, suggesting that compelling narratives and clear charitable impact are important
• Limited Public Information: The absence of a website and minimal public guidance means applicants should ensure their written applications are comprehensive and self-explanatory
• No Digital Communication: Be prepared to correspond by post and telephone only

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales. “Peter Storrs Trust - Charity 313804.” Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=313804&subid=0

• Bath and North East Somerset Council. “The Peter Storrs Trust.” Funding Directory. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/89013

• Charity Choice. “Peter Storrs Trust | Charity Directory.” https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/peter-storrs-trust-131321

• CharityData. “Peter Storrs Trust - 313804.” https://olib.uk/charity/html/313804/peter-storrs-trust

• NGO Explorer. “Peter Storrs Trust.” https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/313804