Sumner Wilson Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £104,659 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK-based charities

Contact Details

Website: www.sumnerwilson.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1727 869141

Email: sumnerwilsoncharity@gmail.com

Charity Number: 1018852

Overview

The Sumner Wilson Charitable Trust was established in 1992 by Michael Sumner Wilson CBE (1943-2018), co-founder of St. James's Place Wealth Management. Registered as a charity on 17 March 1993, the Trust was created “in order that he could help those less fortunate than himself.” Following Mike Wilson's death in 2018, the Trust continues under three trustees who maintain his philanthropic vision. With annual income of £141,742 and expenditure of £104,659 (2024), the Trust makes grants to UK-registered charities working domestically and internationally. The Trust operates as a private grant-making foundation with decisions made at trustee discretion rather than through open applications. Mike Wilson was awarded a CBE in 2012 for services to the insurance industry and charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust makes grants to charitable organizations within its grant-making policy, operating on an invitation-only basis with no public application process.

Priority Areas

• Health and Life-Saving
• Children and Young People
• Arts, Culture, Heritage and Science
• General Charitable Purposes
• Support for Other Charities

Mike Wilson favored mental health charities (served as trustee of MQ: Transforming Mental Health) and children's charities, which may influence ongoing priorities.

What They Don't Fund

• Non-UK registered charities
• Unsolicited applications
• No open grant rounds

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Amanda Wordsworth Sumner Christie
• Anne-Marie Challen
• Davina Alexandra Longsdon

Michael Sumner Wilson CBE (1943-2018) co-founded St. James's Place Wealth Management in 1991 with Sir Mark Weinberg and Lord Rothschild. He established the Sumner Wilson Charitable Trust for personal philanthropy and was instrumental in creating the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation (1992), which has donated over £130 million to nearly 800 charities. He served as Chairman of that foundation and trustee of MQ: Transforming Mental Health.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Trust explicitly states: “The Trustees are unable to consider unsolicited applications.” All grant-making is conducted at trustee discretion, often continuing relationships established during the founder's lifetime.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - trustee-initiated basis only

Success Rates

Not applicable - no open application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply

Application Success Factors

Not applicable as the Trust does not accept applications. Organizations are selected proactively by trustees based on:

• Continuation of Mike Wilson's charitable interests (mental health, children's causes)
• Previous relationships with the Trust
• Alignment with registered charitable purposes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No application process - do not attempt to apply for funding
• All grants made at trustee discretion, often continuing founder's relationships
• Modest annual giving around £100,000-£190,000
• Only UK-registered charities eligible (may work internationally)
• Understanding founder's interests (mental health, children) provides context but no guarantee
• Zero application costs - do not spend resources attempting to secure funding

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Payback Time Trust
• The Balney Charitable Trust
• The St James's Trust Settlement
• The Elaine and Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust
• The Searle Charitable Trust
• The Burry Charitable Trust
• THE PORTRACK CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE HAWERBY TRUST
• John Jacob Astor Charitable Trust
• THE K.P LADD CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Charity Commission Register - Sumner Wilson Charitable Trust (1018852): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1018852&subid=0
• Sumner Wilson Trust website: https://www.sumnerwilson.uk/sumner-wilson-trust.html
• Michael Sumner Wilson CBE Memorial: https://www.sumnerwilson.uk/
• St. James's Place Charitable Foundation: https://www.sjpfoundation.co.uk/about-us