Sir Harold Hood's Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £754,471 (year ending April 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Scotland; also works internationally in 12 countries including Botswana, Chile, India, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe

Contact Details

Address: Haysmacintyre, Thames Exchange, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG

Email: hoodcharitabletrust@gmail.com

Phone: 020 7969 5500

Overview

Sir Harold Hood's Charitable Trust was established in 1964 as a trust dedicated to supporting Roman Catholic charitable purposes. The trust operates from an endowment fund that generates investment income, distributing approximately £754,471 annually in charitable grants (as of financial year ending April 2024). With total income of £833,823, the trust has maintained its commitment to supporting Catholic charitable work across the UK and internationally. The trust's charitable objects state it operates “for such Roman Catholic charitable purposes as the trustees shall, in their absolute discretion and from time to time, think fit,” giving trustees significant flexibility in their grant-making decisions. Named after Sir Harold Hood, 2nd Baronet (1916-2005), a devout Catholic who worked in Catholic publishing and was a generous philanthropist with a keen interest in prison reform and prisoner rehabilitation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates with discretionary grant-making powers, meaning there are no publicly advertised grant programs or fixed funding streams. Grants are made to organisations for Roman Catholic charitable purposes as determined by the trustees.

Application Method: Not publicly disclosed; likely operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications.

Priority Areas

• Support for the work of the Roman Catholic Church
• Charitable work carried out in accordance with Catholic values
• Religious activities and services
• Catholic education (including support for academic bursaries in Early Modern English Catholicism research)
• Prison reform and prisoner rehabilitation (reflecting Sir Harold Hood's personal interests)
• Support for Catholic charitable organisations working both in the UK and internationally

What They Don't Fund

The trust is specifically focused on Roman Catholic charitable purposes. Organizations that do not align with Catholic values or are not conducting work within a Catholic framework would not be eligible.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by five trustees who receive no remuneration:

• Margaret Marie Elizabeth Felicia Hood (Chair)
• Dom James Hood OSB (Benedictine monk, likely a family member)
• Christian Edward Elwes
• Lord True CBE (Nicholas Edward True, Baron True - Conservative politician and Leader of the House of Lords 2022-2024, married to Anne-Marie Hood, granddaughter of Sir Joseph Hood, 1st Baronet)
• Lady True

The trustees exercise “absolute discretion” in determining which Roman Catholic charitable purposes to support, reflecting the founder's intention to provide flexible support to Catholic charitable work.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The trust does not appear to have a formal public application process. Grant-making decisions are made at the trustees' discretion. Organizations interested in seeking support should contact the trust directly at the email or phone number provided.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the trust's discretionary nature, decision timelines likely vary depending on when trustees meet and consider potential grants.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about the trust's application process, the following factors appear important:

• Catholic Identity: Organizations must clearly demonstrate their Roman Catholic character and alignment with Catholic values and teachings.

• Charitable Purpose: Projects should have a clear charitable purpose that benefits communities or individuals in need, consistent with Catholic social teaching.

• Areas of Historical Interest: Given Sir Harold Hood's personal involvement in Catholic publishing, prison reform, and charitable work, projects in these areas may be of particular interest to the trustees.

• Family Connection: The trust remains closely connected to the Hood family, with family members serving as trustees. This suggests a personalized approach to grant-making rather than a standardized application process.

• International Reach: While UK-based, the trust supports work in 12 countries globally, suggesting openness to international Catholic charitable projects.

Example Funded Projects:

• Academic bursary at Durham University for MA research in Early Modern English Catholicism (£5,000 fixed-term bursary)
• Support for The Nehemiah Project (Catholic charitable organization)
• Support for Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) - continuing Sir Harold Hood's legacy of prison reform work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This trust operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications - there is no evidence of a formal application process or guidelines. Organizations seeking funding should make direct contact with the trustees.

• Catholic identity is essential - only organizations conducting work for Roman Catholic charitable purposes are eligible. Applications must demonstrate clear alignment with Catholic values and teachings.

• Personal connection may be important - with family members serving as trustees and the trust honoring Sir Harold Hood's legacy, personal connections or introductions may be valuable.

• Consider the founder's interests - Sir Harold Hood was passionate about Catholic publishing, prison reform, and prisoner rehabilitation. Projects in these areas may resonate with trustees.

• The trust thinks globally - despite being UK-based, the trust supports Catholic charitable work in 12 countries, so international projects are eligible.

• Financial strength - with over £750,000 distributed annually from investment income, the trust has substantial resources, though specific grant sizes are not publicly disclosed.

• Expect limited transparency - the trust does not publish lists of grant recipients or detailed annual reports publicly, suggesting a more private approach to philanthropy.

References

• UK Charity Commission Register, Sir Harold Hood's Charitable Trust (225870): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=225870

• Find That Charity, Sir Harold Hood's Charitable Trust profile: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-225870

• Wikipedia, Harold Hood (2nd Baronet): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Hood

• Prison Advice and Care Trust, Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lectures: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/faith/events/sir-harold-hood-memorial-lectures/

• Durham University, Sir Harold Hood's Charitable Trust Bursary announcement: https://www.dur.ac.uk/theology.religion/ccs/new/?itemno=21171

• Independent Catholic News, references to Sir Harold Hood's charitable work and memorial lectures

• Wikipedia, Nicholas True, Baron True: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_True,_Baron_True