The Ancaster Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £90,000 - £97,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed regularly
• Grant Range: £100 - £500 (occasionally higher)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide, with preference for Lincolnshire

Contact Details

Administrator: Susan Simmons

Phone: 020 7936 1910

Address: The Ancaster Trust, c/o Sayers Butterworth LLP, 3rd Floor, 12 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DW

Website: None

Email: Not advertised

Overview

The Ancaster Trust is a London-based grant-making charity founded in 1965, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. With annual giving of between £90,000 and £97,000, the Trust operates as a discretionary grant maker, awarding a significant number of micro-grants annually to a wide range of UK registered charities. The Trust's charitable objectives allow funds to be “applied for or towards such charitable purposes at such time or times and in such manner as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit.” The Trust shows a preference for charities providing community action, social welfare, and medical projects in the UK, with some historical preference for projects in Lincolnshire. No trustees receive remuneration, ensuring all funds are directed toward charitable purposes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Micro-Grants Programme: £100 - £500 (Rolling basis - applications accepted at any time in writing)

Priority Areas

• Community action - grassroots community development and support projects
• Social welfare - projects supporting vulnerable individuals and groups
• Medical projects - health-related initiatives and medical care support
• Advancement of health or saving of lives
• Disability - services and support for people with disabilities
• Overseas aid/famine relief - UK charities working internationally
• Arts/culture/heritage/science - cultural and educational initiatives
• General charitable purposes

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly listed, though trustees make discretionary decisions based on each appeal's charitable merit.

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Governance and Leadership

Baroness Jane Willoughby de Eresby - Chair (appointed 1975)

• 49 years of service; also trustee of Lincolnshire Churches Trust

Susan Simmons - Trustee and Administrator (appointed 2001)

Emma Caroline Miller - Trustee (appointed October 2024)

Paul Eldon Ffitch - Trustee (appointed October 2024)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Written applications only. Submit to:

The Ancaster Trust

c/o Sayers Butterworth LLP

3rd Floor, 12 Gough Square

London EC4A 3DW

Or contact Susan Simmons on 020 7936 1910

• No website or online application portal
• Applications accepted at any time - no fixed deadlines
• Applications reviewed regularly by trustees on a rolling basis
• Contact Susan Simmons to discuss requirements before applying

Decision Timeline

Applications are “regularly reviewed” by trustees. Specific meeting dates not published.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. However, with £90,000-£97,000 annual grants and typical sizes of £100-£300, the Trust awards approximately 300-900+ micro-grants annually.

Reapplication Policy

No specific policy published. Contact Susan Simmons to discuss if reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's history and funding patterns:

• UK Registered Charity Status Required - Only UK registered charities eligible
• Alignment with Priority Areas - Strong preference for community action, social welfare, and medical projects
• Lincolnshire Connection - Projects in Lincolnshire may have an advantage given the Chair's regional connections
• Small-Scale, Practical Projects - Micro-grants favor discrete projects where £100-£500 makes tangible difference
• Clear Charitable Purpose - Articulate the public benefit clearly
• Contact First - Phone Susan Simmons before submitting written application
• Keep It Concise - Clear, brief appeals likely more effective given volume of applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Micro-grant specialist: Excellent for smaller requests (£100-£500) where larger funders inappropriate
• Broad scope: Considers wide range of charitable purposes despite preferences
• Lincolnshire advantage: Regional connection may help given Chair's 49-year tenure
• Rolling applications: Apply any time - no waiting for deadlines
• Personal approach: Direct communication via phone encouraged
• High volume: 300-900+ grants annually suggests accessibility
• Low admin burden: No complex forms or processes required

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• P F Charitable Trust
• THE HEADLEY TRUST
• The Clore Duffield Foundation
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• Hollick Family Foundation
• THE ROGER DE HAAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
• The Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Settlement
• Jerwood Foundation
• The Saintbury Trust
• The Leche Trust
• The McCorquodale Charitable Trust
• Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust
• The Godinton Charitable Trust
• National Lottery
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
• THE WYSELIOT ROSE CHARITABLE TRUST

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - THE ANCASTER TRUST (270822)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=270822

Accessed: February 2026

1. UK Charity Commission - Trustees Information

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/270822/trustees

Accessed: February 2026

1. Young Camden Foundation - Ancaster Trust Funding Page

https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/funding/ancaster-trust

Accessed: February 2026

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - Funding Information

https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88471

Accessed: February 2026

1. Multiple CVS and funding directory sources confirming grant-making activity