Schroder Charity Trust

Charity Number: 214050

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £400,000-£500,000 (based on ~100 grants at average £4,368)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 7% (1 in 14 applications)
  • Decision Time: 4 months from application window closing
  • Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (average grant: £4,368)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide
  • Total Assets: £11.28 million (as of March 2024)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.schrodercharitytrust.org
  • Phone: 020 3170 5793
  • Email: info@schrodercharitytrust.org
  • Charity Number: 214050
  • Company Number: 386771

Overview

The Schroder Charity Trust was established in 1946 as 'The Bruno Schroder Charity Trust' and renamed in 1953. With over 70 years of supporting the UK charity sector, the Trust is a wholly independent grant-making family trust with assets of £11.28 million. Following a strategic review in 2024, the Trust suspended applications temporarily and reopened with a more focused grant-making strategy. The Trust now operates two application windows annually rather than rolling applications, and has narrowed its funding priorities to two core objectives focused on disadvantaged children and young adults in education and employment, and strengthening communities for vulnerable people. Members of the Schroder family have served as Directors throughout the Trust's history, with three generations currently serving on the Board. The Trust is completely independent of Schroders Plc, the investment management company.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Small Grants Programme: Up to £5,000 for one-year projects or core costs
  • Application Method: Two fixed annual application windows (e.g., October 1 - November 30, 2025)
  • Average Grant: £4,368 (based on 2019/20 data)
  • Annual Awards: Approximately 100 grants distributed per year

Priority Areas

Following the strategic review, the Trust now focuses exclusively on two objectives:

Objective 1: Enabling children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive and achieve their potential in education and employment

  • Enhancing early years school readiness for children in vulnerable families
  • Developing reading and literacy skills
  • Enhancing financial literacy
  • Helping young people pursue vocational careers and apprenticeships
  • Enhancing employment outcomes for young offenders (aged 18-25)
  • Providing tutoring to develop attainment at primary and secondary school

Objective 2: Strengthening communities through services and opportunities which enhance the wellbeing and life outcomes of vulnerable and disadvantaged people

  • Services and opportunities that enhance wellbeing
  • Projects that improve life outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged people

Eligibility Criteria

  • UK registered charities only
  • Annual income between £150,000 and £1 million
  • Must align with one of the two core objectives

What They Fund

  • Both core costs and specific projects
  • One-year grants (not multi-year funding)

What They Don't Fund

  • Large capital appeals
  • Charities outside the annual income range (£150k-£1m)
  • Organizations that are not UK registered charities
  • Work that does not align with the two core objectives
  • Note: A comprehensive list of exclusions is available in the FAQ section of their website
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Governance and Leadership

The Schroder Charity Trust is governed by Memorandum and Articles of Association, incorporated on April 6, 1944. The charity maintains a small board of trustees, with three generations of the Schroder family currently serving as Directors. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Known Trustees include:

  • John Henry Frederick Schroder - Museum Consultant (appointed 2011), also serves as trustee at The German Christ Church London Charity and The Schroder 1905 Trust
  • Leonie Kira Emma Schroder - Museum Consultant (appointed 1998), also serves as trustee at The Schroder Foundation
  • Claire Louise Fitzalan Howard - Also serves as trustee at The Mallinckrodt Foundation

The Trust is wholly independent of Schroders Plc, the investment management company, despite the shared family name.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Visit the Schroder Charity Trust website during an open application window
  2. Complete the eligibility questionnaire first to confirm your charity is eligible
  3. If eligible, complete the online application form
  4. Applications are only accepted via the online application form
  5. Ensure all supporting documentation is submitted - applications are only considered complete when all documentation has been received

Next Application Window: October 1 - November 30, 2025 (opens at 9:00 AM on October 1st)

Decision Timeline

  • The Trust anticipates making decisions within 4 months of the application window closing
  • Applicants will be notified of decisions via the contact information provided in the application
  • Application window dates for 2026 will be published on the website by December 31, 2025

Success Rates

  • Current success rate: Approximately 7% (1 in 14 applications)
  • Historical data (2019/20): Between 400-500 applications received annually, with around 100 charities receiving funding (approximately 20% success rate)
  • Note: The success rate appears to have become more competitive following the strategic review and narrowed focus

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations can reapply for funding 12 months after receiving a decision about their most recent application
  • An error message will appear on the website if you attempt to reapply too early
  • The Trust is unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications

Application Success Factors

Specific Advice from the Trust

To improve chances of success, applicants are encouraged to:

  • Clearly demonstrate alignment: Show how your work aligns with one or more of the Trust's two specific objectives
  • Present strong evidence: Provide evidence of community impact and measurable outcomes
  • Complete the eligibility check: Ensure your organization meets all eligibility criteria before applying
  • Review the FAQs: Thoroughly read the FAQ section for detailed guidance on what the Trust does and does not support

Important Considerations

  • The Trust has a very specific focus following its strategic review - ensure your project directly addresses disadvantaged children/young adults in education and employment, or strengthening communities for vulnerable people
  • Given the 1 in 14 success rate, applications need to be exceptionally well-aligned with the Trust's priorities
  • The Trust funds both core costs and specific projects, making applications flexible in approach
  • With grants up to £5,000, be realistic about what can be achieved within this budget
  • The one-year funding period means you should focus on deliverable outcomes within 12 months

Understanding the Context

  • The Trust underwent a strategic review in 2024, resulting in a more focused approach
  • This shift suggests the Trust is being more selective and strategic in its grant-making
  • The move from rolling applications to two fixed windows annually indicates a more structured, planned approach to grant distribution
  • With approximately 100 grants made annually from a pool of potentially 1,400+ applications, competition is significant

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Alignment is critical: Following the 2024 strategic review, the Trust only considers applications that clearly align with one of its two specific objectives. Ensure your project directly addresses disadvantaged children/young adults in education and employment, or strengthens communities for vulnerable people.
  • Competition is intense: With a 1 in 14 success rate (7%), applications must be exceptionally strong, well-evidenced, and demonstrate clear measurable outcomes. The narrowed focus has made the Trust significantly more competitive.
  • Income sweet spot: Your charity must have an annual income between £150,000 and £1 million. This is strictly enforced through the eligibility questionnaire.
  • Plan for fixed windows: The Trust now operates two application windows per year rather than rolling applications. Mark your calendar for October 1-November 30, 2025 for the next window, and plan your application well in advance.
  • Be patient with decisions: Allow a full 4 months after the application window closes for decisions. Use this time to continue building your project and evidence base.
  • Flexibility in funding use: The Trust funds both core costs and specific projects, giving you flexibility in how you structure your application. Choose the approach that best demonstrates your impact.
  • No feedback provided: The Trust does not provide feedback on unsuccessful applications, so ensure your application is as strong as possible before submission. Consider having it reviewed by colleagues or sector experts.

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