Snowdon Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £300,000 (grants) + £390,000 (scholarships) = approx. £690,000
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: Notified shortly after panel meetings (twice yearly); Stage 1 scholarship applications: 10 working days
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (disability-related study costs); Up to £30,000 (Master's Scholarships)
• Geographic Focus: UK-based students (national and international students studying in UK)
• Total Awarded Since 1981: Over £4 million

Contact Details

Website: www.snowdontrust.org

Email: info@snowdontrust.org

Phone: 01403 732899

Address: Unit 18, Oakhurst Business Park, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, RH13 9RT

General Enquiries: Contact via website form or general email/phone for queries about grant applications

Overview

The Snowdon Trust was founded in 1981 by the first Earl of Snowdon, driven by his lived experience and frustration with inequalities facing disabled people in education and employment. Over 40 years later, the charity has awarded more than £4 million in grants and scholarships to thousands of disabled students. The Trust's mission is to break down barriers for disabled students through providing disability-related study costs grants, funding Master's Scholarships, running the Disabled Leaders Network, and conducting information, advice and campaigning work. In the 2023/24 academic year, the Trust awarded 84 disability-related study costs grants totalling £300,000 and 13 Master's Scholarships. The charity reported total income of £423,282 and total expenditure of £854,224 for the year ending April 30, 2023, with 12 trustees and 8 volunteers supporting its work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Disability-Related Study Costs Grants: Up to £5,000

• Covers additional costs directly related to studies that enable disabled students to fully participate alongside non-disabled peers
• Application method: Online portal via Benefactor Cloud
• Rolling basis with panel meetings twice yearly
• Note: Due to increased demand and backlog, the grants programme is not accepting new applications for the 2025-26 academic year

Snowdon Master's Scholarship: Up to £30,000

• £15,000 contribution towards fees (paid directly to university)
• £15,000 living expenses/maintenance (paid in termly instalments)
• Designed to accelerate exceptional disabled students through master's studies and into leadership positions
• Multi-stage competitive application process
• Fixed deadline: Late February annually
• Seeks future leaders who will be visible role models and drive disability inclusion

Priority Areas

The Trust funds individual disabled students in:

• Further education (Level 4 qualification or above)
• Higher education
• Training towards employment

What the Grants Cover:

• Assistive technology and software
• Mobility equipment
• Additional cost of accessible accommodation
• Cost of carer accommodation for students requiring 24/7 care
• Sign language interpreters
• Note takers and other vital human support
• Equipment enabling independent campus movement (e.g., wheelchairs)

Disability Eligibility Includes:

• Learning differences (dyslexia, dyspraxia, AD(H)D)
• Visual impairments uncorrected by glasses
• Hearing impairments (D/deafness or partial hearing)
• Physical impairments or mobility/dexterity challenges
• Social, behavioural or communication impairments (autism spectrum, Tourette's Syndrome)
• Long-term illness or health conditions causing pain, fatigue, loss of concentration, or breathing difficulties

Important Exclusion: Mental health conditions alone (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, C(PTSD), OCD) are not eligible unless accompanied by one of the above qualifying conditions.

What They Don't Fund

• Tuition fees (via general grants programme)
• General living costs or financial hardship
• Rehabilitation equipment
• Therapy or gym memberships
• Mental wellbeing services
• Expenses already incurred
• Items already covered by Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) or other statutory funding
• Applicants who haven't applied for DSA (if eligible)

The Trust serves as a “last resort fund,” not an alternative to statutory funding sources.

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Governance and Leadership

Founding and History

Founded by the first Earl of Snowdon in 1981, initially to provide grants to physically disabled students. The Earl's lived experience of disability and frustration with educational inequalities drove the charity's creation.

Current Governance Structure

• Trustees: 12 trustees who meet 3-4 times yearly
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits
• Trustees work with the Chief Executive to set strategies, targets/budgets, and review progress
• Volunteers: 8 volunteers support the charity's work

Key Personnel

• Chief Executive: Leads day-to-day operations and strategic planning
• Finance Manager
• Fundraising Manager
• Grants Manager
• Marketing and Communications Officer

Vice Presidents

• Andrew: Involved from the charity's founding, helped Lord Snowdon develop the concept in 1981, served as general secretary for over 20 years, then trustee for 14 years before appointment as Vice President in March 2019
• Lord Colin Low: Appointed Vice-President upon retiring as Trustee in 2024

Selection Panel

Applications are reviewed by a voluntary selection panel made up of “a diverse group of experts, industry practitioners and people with lived experience of disability.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Disability-Related Study Costs Grants:

1. Apply online via the Snowdon Trust Grants portal (snowdontrust.benefactorcloud.co.uk)
2. Provide official confirmation of disability (doctor's report, healthcare provider documentation, or DSA assessment)
3. Provide evidence of course offer
4. Demonstrate application to all other appropriate statutory funding routes (especially DSA if eligible)
5. Applications reviewed by panel twice yearly

Master's Scholarships:

• Stage 1: Short application form with basic eligibility and course details
• Response within 10 working days
• Only strongest candidates invited to Stage 2
• Stage 2: More detailed application for shortlisted candidates
• Stage 3: Shortlisted candidates assessed by Trustees
• Final outcomes communicated by end of June

Decision Timeline

Grants: Applicants notified shortly after panel meetings (held twice yearly)

Scholarships:

• Stage 1: Response within 10 working days
• Final decisions: By end of June
• Scholarship deadline: Late February (e.g., February 28, 2025 for 2025-26 awards)

Success Rates

2023/24 Academic Year Statistics:

• 84 disability-related study costs grants awarded (£300,000 total)
• 13 Master's Scholarships awarded
• Hundreds of applications expected for Master's Scholarships
• Specific success rate percentages not published

The Trust notes that “being eligible does not guarantee progression in the selection process” for scholarships, indicating competitive selection.

Reapplication Policy

Fee Awards: If you have already received a fee award from the Snowdon Trust and are still completing the same course, you may reapply for fees for the duration of that same course (subject to the maximum number of grant awards).

General: The Trust's willingness to consider reapplications for the same course suggests a supportive approach to multi-year support where justified.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from Successful Applicants

Maria, MSc Psychology, University of Nottingham (Snowdon Scholar):

"The questions are thought-provoking, urging you to reflect on moments where you've demonstrated resilience and strength."

Key Strategies Maria Recommends:

1. Be Ambitious: "Don't hold back on your ambitions and imagine the best-case scenario and plan accordingly"
2. Show Alignment: "Research how the master's course you're applying for aligns with your goals, and consider how your past experiences have already set you on your path"
3. Demonstrate Resilience: Provide evidence of overcoming challenges, both professional and personal
4. Be Authentic: “Authenticity is crucial – be yourself”
5. Start Early: Work in small, manageable steps, accounting for health fluctuations and working when you're able

Research and Preparation:

• Read posts from previous scholarship winners for insights and inspiration
• Research the Snowdon Trust and their alumni
• Attend Q&A sessions with previous awardees (offered by the Trust)
• Review blog posts from scholarship winners on the Trust website

What the Trust Seeks

For Master's Scholarships:

The Trust is “searching for individuals who choose to use their lived experience of disabling barriers to make a difference.” They seek candidates with:

• Qualities needed to create change
• Potential for leadership in all its forms
• Commitment to being visible role models
• Drive to advance disability inclusion

For Grants:

• Clear demonstration that other funding sources have been exhausted
• Evidence that support cannot be obtained through university arrangements
• Specific, costed needs directly related to disability and studies
• Understanding that grants serve as “last resort” funding

Recent Funding Examples

During 2023/24, grants were awarded for:

• British Sign Language interpretation services
• Funding carer accommodation costs for students requiring 24/7 care
• Providing wheelchairs to enable independent campus movement
• Assistive technology and software
• Note-taking support

Tips for Standing Out

1. Demonstrate Impact: Show how the funding will enable you to participate fully in your studies and achieve your potential
2. Evidence Exhaustion of Other Funding: Clearly demonstrate attempts to secure DSA or other statutory funding
3. Connect to Leadership Vision: For scholarships, articulate how you will use your education to drive change and inclusion
4. Be Specific: Provide detailed, costed breakdown of needs
5. Show Resilience: Highlight how you've already overcome barriers and how this funding will help you continue
6. Authenticity: The Trust values genuine personal stories and lived experience

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Note: The Snowdon Trust funds INDIVIDUALS, not organizations. This profile is provided for information purposes, but grant writers seeking organizational funding should not apply to this trust.

For advisors supporting disabled students:

1. Last Resort Fund: Ensure students have applied for DSA and all other statutory funding before approaching Snowdon Trust - this is a strict requirement
2. Timing Matters: Plan ahead - panel meets twice yearly for grants; scholarships have fixed February deadline
3. Limited Availability: Due to high demand, new grant applications may not be accepted in some years - check website for current status
4. Specificity Required: Applications must detail exact costs and demonstrate direct link to disability and studies
5. Mental Health Exclusion: Pure mental health conditions are not eligible unless accompanied by other qualifying disabilities
6. Course Level Requirement: Generally Level 4 or above; full master's degrees for scholarships (180 credits)
7. Leadership Potential: For scholarships, demonstrating commitment to future disability inclusion leadership is crucial
8. Authenticity Valued: Panel includes people with lived experience of disability - authentic, personal narratives resonate
9. Relationship Building: Engage with Trust resources (blog posts, Q&A sessions) to understand their values and priorities
10. Multi-Year Support Possible: Reapplications for continuing courses are permitted, showing Trust's commitment to seeing students through

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• BENEFACT TRUST LIMITED
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• Cumbria Community Foundation
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• THE CATHERINE COOKSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• Souter Charitable Trust
• THE LORD MAYOR'S APPEAL
• ROYAL ARTILLERY CHARITABLE FUND
• THE ARCHER TRUST
• CLA CHARITABLE TRUST
• ALPKIT FOUNDATION
• THE WHIRLWIND CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE ROSELANDS TRUST
• THE FREE SCHOOL
• THE PROVEN FAMILY TRUST
• Livery Companies
• National Lottery

References

1. Charity Commission Register - Snowdon Trust (Charity Number 1197627/282754). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5191530

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - About. https://www.snowdontrust.org/about/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - Grants Programme. https://www.snowdontrust.org/financial-awards/grants-2025/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - What Can I Apply For?. https://www.snowdontrust.org/financial-awards/grants/what-can-i-apply-for/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - Am I Eligible?. https://www.snowdontrust.org/financial-awards/grants/am-i-eligible/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - Timeline and Process. https://www.snowdontrust.org/financial-awards/grants/process/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - Scholarships. https://www.snowdontrust.org/financial-awards/scholarships/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - Snowdon Master's Scholarship Application Tips. https://www.snowdontrust.org/snowdon-masters-scholarships-application-tips/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - People. https://www.snowdontrust.org/about/our-people/

1. Snowdon Trust Official Website - Get in Touch. https://www.snowdontrust.org/get-in-touch/

1. Snowdon Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements (Year ending 30 April 2023), Charity Commission.

1. Maria's Application Tips (Snowdon Scholar, MSc Psychology, University of Nottingham), published on Snowdon Trust website.