The Aird Charitable Trust
Charity Number: 296304
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £91,000 - £112,000
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Trustees meet twice yearly
- Grant Range: Up to £2,000 (average £1,565)
- Geographic Focus: England and Wales
- Registered Charity Number: 296304
Contact Details
Address: The Rathbone Trust Company Limited, Port of Liverpool Building, Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1NW
Phone: 0151 236 6666
Note: The Trust does not maintain a website or publicly advertise an email address.
Overview
The Aird Charitable Trust (previously known as The Clabon Charitable Trust) was registered with the Charity Commission on 11 March 1987. This small, family-based discretionary grant-making charity was formed to reflect the far-ranging charitable interests of Lady Priscilla Aird, the trust's settlor. Administered by Rathbone Trust Company Limited, the trust operates with unrestricted funds, allowing trustees to support general charitable purposes at their absolute discretion. With recent annual expenditure ranging from £91,144 to £112,664, the trust makes one-off grants averaging £1,565 to registered charities across England and Wales. The trust currently has two trustees and operates without paid staff, maintaining a lean governance structure focused entirely on grant distribution.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
General Discretionary Grants
- Amount: Up to £2,000 (average £1,565)
- Type: One-off grants with occasional higher awards
- Application method: Written applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
- Decision timing: Trustees meet twice annually to review applications and agree donations
Priority Areas
The trust's annual accounts demonstrate support for a wide range of charitable causes, including:
- Health (including dementia care)
- Education
- The Arts and Music
- Riding for the Disabled
- Conservation
- Religion
The trustees hold unrestricted funds and may support any general charitable purpose they deem appropriate. Charities that meet the following tend to be favoured:
- Charities whose work is considered useful by the current trustees
- Charities who make effective use of the donations they receive
- Charities in which the settlor (Lady Priscilla Aird) was interested
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals: The trust only makes grants to registered charities, not individuals
- Geographic restriction: Organizations must be registered charities in England and Wales
No other explicit exclusions are publicly documented, though the discretionary nature of the trust means funding decisions rest entirely with the trustees.
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Governance and Leadership
Current Trustees
- Lady Xiaofen Aird (appointed 2018) - widow of Sir George John Aird, 4th Baronet (1940-2023)
- Susan Priscilla Aird
The trust maintains an all-female board of two trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust is administered by Rathbone Trust Company Limited, a professional trust services provider based in Liverpool.
Settlor
The trust was established by Lady Priscilla Aird, whose wide-ranging charitable interests continue to inform the trust's giving priorities.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications may be made at any time in writing to:
The Aird Charitable Trust
The Rathbone Trust Company Limited
Port of Liverpool Building
Pier Head
Liverpool L3 1NW
Requirements:
- Applicant organizations must be registered charities in England and Wales
- Applications should be submitted in writing (no online portal or application form is specified)
- The trust does not have a website or published application guidelines
Decision Timeline
- Trustee meetings: Trustees meet twice each year to review applications for funding and agree donations
- Notification: Decision timeframes are not publicly specified but will depend on the timing of trustee meetings
- Grant type: One-off grants (not ongoing funding commitments)
Success Rates
Success rate data is not publicly available. The trust distributed approximately £91,000-£112,000 annually in recent years through grants averaging £1,565, suggesting they support a substantial number of organizations each year.
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication policy is documented. As a discretionary trust making one-off grants, organizations may need to submit new applications for subsequent funding requests, though specific timeframes or restrictions are not publicly stated.
Application Success Factors
While the trust does not publish detailed application guidance, the following factors appear important based on available information:
Alignment with Settlor's Interests: The trust was formed to reflect Lady Priscilla Aird's charitable interests. Organizations working in areas that aligned with her passions (health, education, arts, conservation, religion, disability support) may have stronger prospects.
Effective Use of Donations: The trust explicitly favours “charities who make effective use of the donations they receive.” Applications should demonstrate strong financial management, measurable impact, and efficient operations.
Usefulness to Current Trustees: As stated in their guidance, charities “whose work is considered useful by the current Trustees” are favoured. This discretionary element means trustees assess each application based on their current priorities and interests.
Appropriate Grant Size: With average grants of £1,565 and a typical maximum of £2,000, organizations should request amounts that align with these parameters. Be clear about how a relatively modest grant will make a meaningful difference to your work.
Registered Charity Status: Organizations must be registered charities in England and Wales - this is a fundamental eligibility requirement.
Clear, Concise Written Applications: Given the lack of formal application forms or processes, written applications should be clear, professional, and contain all essential information about the organization, the project or need, and the impact the grant would achieve.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Small but unrestricted: This is a small family trust with broad charitable interests - don't expect large grants, but the lack of restrictive criteria means many causes may be supported
- Twice-yearly decisions: Plan your cash flow accordingly, as trustee meetings occur only twice per year - timing of your application relative to these meetings will affect decision timeframes
- Demonstrate efficiency: Explicitly show how your organization makes effective use of donations, as this is a stated priority for trustees
- Written applications only: With no website, online portal, or formal application form, invest time in crafting a clear, compelling written case
- Professional administration: The trust is administered by Rathbone Trust Company, a professional trust services provider, so applications should be professional and complete
- Historical interests matter: Understanding Lady Priscilla Aird's charitable interests (particularly in health, education, arts, conservation, and disability) may help frame your application
- Contact for guidance: Given the lack of published guidelines, consider telephoning to discuss whether your organization and project align with current trustee priorities before submitting a full application
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
- The Dischma Charitable Trust
- Sir John and Lady Heathcoat Amory's Charitable Trust
- THE WANDS CHARITABLE TRUST
- The Wyfold Charitable Trust
- The Batchworth Trust
- Langdale Trust
- The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
- RJ AND AH DANIELS CHARITABLE TRUST
- THE CHARLOTTE HEBER-PERCY CHARITABLE TRUST
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register: The Aird Charitable Trust - Charity Number 296304
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=296304
- Giving is Great: The Aird Charitable Trust Charity Factsheet
https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=296304
- Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVO): The Aird Charitable Trust
- Rathbones: Trust and Tax Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Aird Charitable Trust fund?
Grant Programs General Discretionary Grants Amount: Up to £2,000 (average £1,565) Type: One-off grants with occasional higher awards Application method: Written applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year Decision timing: Trustees meet twice annually to review applications and agree donations Priority Areas The trust's annual accounts demonstrate support for a wide range of charitable causes, including: Health (including dementia care) Education The Arts and Music Riding for the Disabled Conservation Religion The trustees hold unrestricted funds and may support any general charitable purpose they deem appropriate. Charities that meet the following tend to be favoured: Charities whose work is considered useful by the current trustees Charities who make effective use of the donations they receive Charities in which the settlor (Lady Priscilla Aird) was interested What They Don't Fund Individuals: The trust only makes grants to registered charities, not individuals Geographic restriction: Organizations must be registered charities in England and Wales No other explicit exclusions are publicly documented, though the discretionary nature of the trust means funding decisions rest entirely with the trustees.
How much funding does The Aird Charitable Trust provide?
The Aird Charitable Trust provides grants ranging from Up to £2,000 (average £1,565), with total annual giving of approximately £91,000 - £112,000.
How do I contact The Aird Charitable Trust?
Address: The Rathbone Trust Company Limited, Port of Liverpool Building, Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1NW Phone: 0151 236 6666 Note: The Trust does not maintain a website or publicly advertise an email address.
Is The Aird Charitable Trust a registered charity?
Yes, The Aird Charitable Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 296304).
How do I apply to The Aird Charitable Trust?
How to Apply Applications may be made at any time in writing to: The Aird Charitable Trust The Rathbone Trust Company Limited Port of Liverpool Building Pier Head Liverpool L3 1NW Requirements: Applicant organizations must be registered charities in England and Wales Applications should be submitted in writing (no online portal or application form is specified) The trust does not have a website or published application guidelines Decision Timeline Trustee meetings: Trustees meet twice each year to review applications for funding and agree donations Notification: Decision timeframes are not publicly specified but will depend on the timing of trustee meetings Grant type: One-off grants (not ongoing funding commitments) Success Rates Success rate data is not publicly available. The trust distributed approximately £91,000-£112,000 annually in recent years through grants averaging £1,565, suggesting they support a substantial number of organizations each year. Reapplication Policy No specific reapplication policy is documented.
Where is The Aird Charitable Trust based?
The Aird Charitable Trust is based in Port of Liverpool Building.