Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £227,108 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by recipient)
- Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on areas of trustee interest
- Application Process: No public application process
Contact Details
Registered Address:
Malshanger, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG23 7EY
Note: The trust does not accept unsolicited applications and does not publish contact details for general enquiries.
Overview
The Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust was established by Sir Jeremiah Colman BT under a governing Deed of Trust dated 26 June 1920, continuing the philanthropic legacy of the Colman family (founders of Colman's Mustard). Registered as charity number 229553, the trust has been operating for over a century, making charitable donations across education, the arts, the environment, and Christian outreach. With annual expenditure of approximately £227,108 (as of April 2024), the trust maintains a focused grant-making approach based on trustee research and established relationships. The trust is managed by eight trustees who serve on a volunteer basis, receiving no remuneration. Most donations are made on an ongoing annual basis to organizations the trustees have researched and whose work aligns with the trust's aims and objectives.
Funding Priorities
Grant-Making Approach
The trust operates a proactive grant-making model rather than accepting applications. Gifts and donations are made to many charities each year and occasionally to individuals. Most donations are made on an ongoing annual basis to organizations that trustees have identified through their own research.
Priority Areas
Core Objectives:
- Advancement of education
- Moral and social improvement of people
- Maintaining Church of England churches
- The arts
- The environment
- Christian outreach
Known Recipients
The trust has provided ongoing support to organizations including:
- The Nehemiah Project: Supported their Supported Housing Programme since 2001
- National Deaf Children's Society
- Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership
What They Don't Fund
While not explicitly stated, the trust does not accept unsolicited applications and focuses exclusively on organizations and causes that trustees have personally researched and selected.

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Governance and Leadership
Trustees
The trust is governed by eight trustees who serve indefinite terms based on their experience and contribution:
- Jeremiah Michael Colman (Chair)
- Lady Judith Colman
- Camilla Adeney
- Louisa Mulvaney
- Oliver Colman
- Sue Colman
- The Hon Mrs Cynthia Colman
All trustees serve on a volunteer basis with no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustee board includes multiple members of the Colman family, maintaining the trust's connection to its founder's philanthropic vision.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This trust does not have a public application process. According to the trust's official documentation: “Unsolicited applications are not sought since their funds are very committed.”
The trustees prefer to support donations to charities whose work they have researched and which aligns with the aims and objectives of the charity. Grants are awarded based on trustee discretion and proactive identification of suitable organizations.
Grant Award Process
Most donations are made on an ongoing annual basis, which the trustees anticipate making but which are subject to funds available. The trustees also respond to new opportunities and make additional donations upon review, but these are initiated by the trustees rather than through external applications.
Success Rates
Not applicable, as the trust does not accept applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable, as the trust does not accept applications.
Application Success Factors
For Organizations Seeking to Understand This Funder
While you cannot apply directly to this trust, understanding their funding patterns can be valuable for strategic planning:
Their Grant-Making Philosophy:
- Research-driven approach: “The Trustees prefer to support donations to Charities whose work they have researched and which is in accordance with the aims and objectives of the Charity.”
- Long-term relationships: Evidence of ongoing annual support to organizations like The Nehemiah Project (since 2001) suggests the trust values sustained relationships with beneficiaries.
- Alignment with founding values: The trust maintains clear focus on the areas established at its founding in 1920: education, moral improvement, Church of England churches, and more recently broadened to include the arts, environment, and Christian outreach.
Organizations They Support:
- Church of England institutions and church buildings
- Educational initiatives, particularly those with Church of England connections
- Organizations working on social improvement
- Christian outreach programs
- Arts and environmental organizations
Financial Pattern:
- Recent annual expenditure: £227,108 and £193,218
- Income: £217,997 and £229,128
- The trust spends slightly more than its annual income, drawing on existing reserves to maintain its grant-making commitments
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No application possible: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications and should not be included in general funding searches for organizations seeking to apply for grants.
- Trustee-initiated only: All grants are made based on trustee research and discretion, not in response to applications.
- Long-term commitment model: Evidence suggests the trust makes ongoing annual commitments to selected organizations rather than one-off grants.
- Family legacy trust: Managed by members of the Colman family, maintaining the philanthropic traditions established over a century ago.
- Clear thematic focus: Strong preference for Church of England causes, education, and organizations working on moral and social improvement.
- Research this funder for context: While you cannot apply, understanding their funding interests may help you identify similar funders with public application processes.
- Committed funds: The trust explicitly states their funds are “very committed,” indicating limited capacity to take on new beneficiaries.
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References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities, “Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust - Charity 229553,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=229553&subid=0
- Charity Commission, “Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust Annual Returns 2023-2024,” charity number 229553
- The Nehemiah Project, “Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust,” https://www.tnp.org.uk/portfolio/sir-jeremiah-colman-gift-trust/
- National Deaf Children's Society, “Thank you to all our supporters,” https://www.ndcs.org.uk/about-us/about-charity/impact/thank-you-all-our-supporters
- Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership, “Support,” https://www.cefel.org.uk/support/
- Giving is Great, “Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust Charity Factsheet,” https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=229553