The Ashburnham Thanksgiving Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £461,284 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation/relationship-based only)
• Decision Time: Not disclosed
• Grant Range: Not disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK and worldwide

Contact Details

Email: att@lookingforward.biz

Phone: 01424 892253

Address: Agmerhurst House, Kitchenham Road, Ashburnham, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9NB

Charity Commission: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=249109

Overview

The Ashburnham Thanksgiving Trust was established by trust deed on 5th April 1965 to support Christian missionaries and charitable organizations both in the UK and internationally. With an annual expenditure of £461,284 (as of April 2024) and income of £293,295, the trust operates as a private grant-making organization managed by three unpaid trustees. The trust explicitly states that it “does not often make grants to charities with which the trustees are not already acquainted personally,” making this an invitation-only funder focused on supporting Christian mission work through established relationships. The trust has no employees and maintains a lean operational structure, dedicating its resources primarily to grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not have formal grant programs or published funding tiers. Grants are awarded at the discretion of trustees to organizations and missionaries they know personally.

Priority Areas

• Christian missionaries working in the UK and internationally
• Christian charitable organizations
• Faith-based mission work and ministry support

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the trust's focus on Christian missionaries and charitable organizations suggests they do not fund:

• Secular organizations
• Non-Christian faith-based work
• Organizations without existing connections to trustees

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by three trustees who serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits. The trustees exercise discretion in selecting grant recipients based on personal knowledge and relationships with the organizations and individuals they support. The names of current trustees are not publicly disclosed in readily available sources.

How to Apply to The Ashburnham Thanksgiving Trust

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Charity Commission records explicitly state that the trust “does not often make grants to charities with which the trustees are not already acquainted personally.”

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to Christian missionaries and charitable organizations with whom the trustees have established personal relationships. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Given that this trust only funds organizations and individuals personally known to its trustees, the key factor for receiving support is having an existing relationship with one or more trustees. The trust's focus on Christian missionaries and charitable organizations indicates that:

• Recipients must be engaged in Christian mission or charitable work aligned with Christian values
• Personal connection to and knowledge by trustees is the primary criterion
• The trust appears to support ongoing relationships rather than one-off projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications from unknown organizations
• Relationship-based funding: Trustees only fund organizations and missionaries they know personally
• Christian focus: All funding supports Christian missionaries and faith-based charitable work
• UK and international scope: While based in East Sussex, the trust supports work both domestically and worldwide
• Small governance structure: With only three unpaid trustees, decision-making is highly personalized
• Not suitable for cold approaches: Organizations without existing trustee connections should not attempt to apply
• Consider for relationship building: If your organization works in Christian mission and can develop genuine connections in the Ashburnham area or Christian missionary networks, this trust may become accessible over time

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Stobart Newlands Charitable Trust
• Forest Hill Charitable Trust
• The Grace Trust
• Fieldsdene Trust
• The George Cadbury Trust (george Henry T And Laurence J Cadbury Sections)
• Grace Charitable Trust
• Mcgreevy No 5 Settlement
• Hinchley Charitable Trust
• The Deo Gloria Trust
• Nineteen Eighty Nine Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The Ashburnham Thanksgiving Trust (Charity No. 249109): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=249109
• Financial information for year ending 5 April 2024: Total income £293,295, Total expenditure £461,284
• Trust deed dated 5th April 1965
• Charity Commission full print record: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/249109/full-print