Stanley Smith (uk) Horticultural Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £181,224 (2024)
• Success Rate: 22% (of invited proposals)
• Decision Time: 2 months (from deadline to award)
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
• Typical Grant: £3,000-£3,500
• Geographic Focus: Primarily UK, some international plant study trips
• Application Cycle: Fixed deadlines (bi-annual)

Contact Details

Address: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR

Website: https://ssht.uk

Email: d.rae@rbge.org.uk (Dr. David Rae, Director)

Phone: 7810541035

Application Contact: Applications should be submitted electronically to d.rae@rbge.org.uk. Hard copies can be posted to the address above if electronic submission is not possible.

Overview

The Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust was established in 1970 by Barbara de Brye, Stanley Smith's daughter, in recognition of her father's passion for plants and gardening. Since its founding, the Trust has distributed over £3.2 million to more than 1,000 recipients across the United Kingdom. Registered as charity number 261925, the Trust had total income of £143,399 and expenditure of £181,224 in the financial year ending April 2024. The Trust operates with seven trustees and no paid employees, ensuring a volunteer-led approach to grant-making. Its mission is to support horticultural projects for public benefit through strategic funding focused on garden conservation, botanical research, horticultural education, and environmental biodiversity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a bi-annual grant program with two application rounds per year:

• Grant Amount: £500 - £5,000 (maximum)
• Typical Grant: £3,000-£3,500
• Application Method: Fixed deadlines via online application form
• Deadlines: 15 February (for April awards) and 15 August (for September awards)
• Multi-Year Funding: The Trust may make subsequent grants to the same organization for new projects or to expand an existing initiative across two to three years

Priority Areas

The Trust supports six main categories of horticultural projects:

1. New Gardens or Garden Developments: Creation of alpine gardens, herb gardens, medieval gardens, espalier plantings, and other new garden areas including purchase of plants, edging, compost, and equipment hire

1. Garden Restoration: Historic landscapes, pleasure grounds, formal gardens, parkland features, rock gardens, and scree areas

1. Historic Garden Buildings and Greenhouses: Restoration of historic glasshouses and heritage structures within gardens

1. Plant Study Trips: Botanical research expeditions and plant collecting trips worldwide, including Asia and Russia

1. Publications and Exhibitions: Books, exhibition materials, and interpretation displays related to horticulture and garden history

1. Research and Plant Conservation: Projects using horticultural techniques for plant conservation, taxonomy studies, and historic garden research

Strategic Objectives

The Trust pursues four main objectives:

• Promoting horticulture: Advancing the practice and knowledge of gardening and plant cultivation
• Environmental conservation: Promoting conservation of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity through horticultural techniques
• Garden creation and preservation: Establishing and maintaining gardens, with preference for publicly accessible sites
• Educational advancement: Advancing horticultural education through training programs and learning initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While the Trust's website indicates they maintain guidance on “what the Trust does not support,” specific exclusions were not publicly detailed. The Trust states: "Unfortunately, we can't support everything, and so focus on certain types of projects" within their six priority categories. Applicants should consult the Trust's website or contact the Director for specific exclusion guidance.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Mr Edward Reed (Chairman) - Partner at Macfarlanes LLP

Mr Alex de Brye - Stanley Smith's grandson

Dr John David - Recently retired Head of Horticultural Taxonomy, Royal Horticultural Society

Dr Sabina Knees - Research Associate, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Mr Phillip Sykes - Consultant, P R Sykes Associates

Dr Tim Upson - Director of Gardens and Horticulture, Royal Horticultural Society

Mr John Watkins - Head of Gardens and Landscape, the English Heritage Trust

The Board comprises experts in horticulture, botany, garden management, and heritage conservation, bringing deep sector knowledge to grant decision-making. No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Review eligibility: Consult the Trust's website to ensure your project aligns with funding priorities
2. Review successful examples: The Trust provides downloadable PDFs of successful applications on their website
3. Complete application form: Download from https://ssht.uk/application-form
4. Submit electronically: Send to d.rae@rbge.org.uk by the deadline
5. Alternative submission: Hard copies accepted by post if electronic submission is not possible

Decision Timeline

• 15 February deadline → April Trustees' meeting → April award notifications
• 15 August deadline → October Trustees' meeting → September award notifications

Typical timeline from submission to decision is approximately 2 months.

Success Rates

In 2024, approximately 22% of invited proposals were funded. This suggests a competitive process with roughly one in five applications receiving funding. Given that over 1,000 grants have been awarded since 1970, the Trust has maintained consistent support for the horticultural sector over more than five decades.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust allows subsequent grants to be made to the same individual or organization for a new project or to expand an existing initiative across two to three years. However, specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for clarification.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Application

Based on analysis of successful projects showcased on the Trust's website, winning applications typically demonstrate:

• Example: Newby Hall and Gardens' rock garden restoration aligned with original creators' vision
• Example: Fourth Reserve Foundation's heritage site restoration of a historic Railwayman's garden

• Example: Liverpool Cathedral's wildflower meadow partnership with the National Wildflower Centre
• Example: Winterbourne House and Garden's wetland meadow creation addressing waterlogged conditions

• Example: Liverpool Cathedral working with the National Wildflower Centre

• Example: Winterbourne turning waterlogging into an asset through wetland meadow creation

• Example: Museum of North Craven Life's Apothecary's Garden with specific plant purchases

1. Public benefit: Projects that provide educational value or public access to gardens

1. Strong horticultural element: The Trust supports projects with significance to horticulture, gardening, or botany with strong horticultural connections

Language and Terminology

The Trust values applications that demonstrate:

• Understanding of horticultural techniques and plant science
• Clear connection to botanical or horticultural heritage
• Emphasis on public accessibility and educational outcomes
• Environmental and biodiversity benefits
• Specific project outcomes and deliverables

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Heritage and history matter: Projects with clear connections to garden history, restoration of original designs, or preservation of horticultural heritage have strong appeal to the Board of expert trustees

1. Biodiversity is a priority: Environmental conservation through horticultural techniques is a core objective - emphasize ecological benefits and wildlife enhancement

1. Be specific about funding needs: The Trust welcomes applications from under £500 to the £5,000 maximum - request only what you need and be specific about plant purchases, materials, and equipment

1. Review successful examples: The Trust provides downloadable PDFs of successful applications on their website - study these carefully to understand what makes a compelling proposal

1. Public benefit is essential: Preference is given to gardens accessible to the public and projects with educational value - clearly articulate how the public will benefit

1. Partnership strengthens applications: Collaborations with established horticultural organizations, botanic gardens, or heritage bodies appear to enhance credibility

1. Plan ahead for fixed deadlines: With only two application rounds per year (February and August), plan your submission timeline carefully to meet the deadline that aligns with your project schedule

References

• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust Official Website: https://ssht.uk
• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust - About Page: https://ssht.uk/
• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust - How to Apply: https://ssht.uk/how-to-apply
• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust - Grant Making Cycle: https://ssht.uk/grant-making-cycle
• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust - Examples of Good Applications: https://ssht.uk/examples-of-good-applications
• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust - Trustees: https://ssht.uk/trustees
• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust - Types of Projects Supported: https://ssht.uk/types-of-projects-supported
• Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust - Aims and Objectives: https://ssht.uk/aims-and-objectives
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity 261925: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/261925
• Funding Scotland - Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000003hmt0EAA/the-stanley-smith-uk-horticultural-trust