Sabina Sutherland Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £105,000 - £120,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (typically)
• Geographic Focus: UK registered charities (UK and overseas work)

Contact Details

• Website: None
• Phone: 07940266478
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Address: 84 Beech Lane, Earley, Reading, Berkshire RG6 5QE
• Correspondence: PO Box 3296, Reading RG6 9UY

Overview

The Sabina Sutherland Charitable Trust, established in 2015 following the death of its namesake, is a grant-making charity with annual expenditure of approximately £110,000-120,000. Sabina Sutherland (1955-2014) was a Senior Archivist at the Berkshire Record Office and an acknowledged expert on Victorian church history in Berkshire. The trust continues her legacy by supporting causes she championed, particularly the care and conservation of historic churches and archival records. With three trustees and no administrative costs, the trust operates efficiently to distribute grants to UK registered charities and individuals working both domestically and internationally. The trust appears to be spending down capital from Sabina's estate, as annual expenditure significantly exceeds income.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Grants Programme: Up to £5,000 (written applications accepted on a rolling basis)
• Application method: Written letter to registered address
• No formal application form required

Priority Areas

• The advancement of religion (particularly church conservation and heritage)
• The advancement of arts, culture, heritage or science (including archival preservation)
• The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
• The prevention or relief of poverty
• Housing and shelter
• Community development and regeneration
• Financial advice and support
• Social care and welfare

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available documentation

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by three trustees (names not publicly disclosed). The trust was established by trust deed dated 7 July 2015, approximately one year after Sabina Sutherland's death from cancer in July 2014. Trustees receive no remuneration, and the trust has no trading subsidiaries, ensuring maximum funds go directly to charitable causes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Written applications should be submitted by post to: 84 Beech Lane, Earley, Reading, Berkshire RG6 5QE. The trust accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. There is no formal application form - applicants should submit a clear written letter explaining their project and funding request.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed

Application Success Factors

Based on confirmed grant recipients and the trust's founding legacy:

• Projects with clear connections to historic church conservation have been successful (St. Michael and All Angels, Sandhurst received £5,000; St Buryan Parish Church received £2,500)
• Archival preservation projects, particularly those involving church records, align strongly with Sabina Sutherland's professional expertise
• Projects in Berkshire or with connections to Victorian ecclesiastical history may receive favorable consideration
• The Royal Berkshire Archives, Sabina's former workplace, has received support for repairing historic churchwardens' accounts
• Small, specific funding requests (up to £5,000) are most appropriate for this trust's giving capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an active grant-maker distributing £105,000-120,000 annually to charitable causes
• Applications are straightforward - a written letter without complex forms or portals
• The trust has a clear preference for heritage, archival, and church conservation projects reflecting its founder's expertise
• Grant sizes are modest (typically up to £5,000), making this suitable for small project funding or contribution toward larger projects
• The trust appears to be spending down capital, suggesting continued robust grant-making in the near term
• No website or email means traditional postal applications are required
• With only three trustees and no published guidelines, personal discretion likely plays a significant role in grant decisions

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• The Ancaster Trust
• The Wogen Anniversary Trust
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• Trelix Charitable Trust
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• The Leach Fourteenth Trust
• Edwin Fox Foundation
• The Family Rich Charities Trust
• The Beatrice Laing Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for SABINA SUTHERLAND CHARITABLE TRUST (1163074)
• Charity Commission Annual Returns and Financial Statements 2022-2024
• National Churches Trust - Grant recipient announcement for St Buryan Parish Church
• Berkshire Record Office - Historical records and Sabina Sutherland professional background
• St. Michael and All Angels, Sandhurst - Grant recipient confirmation
• Royal Berkshire Archives - Grant recipient for churchwardens' accounts repair project