The Atlas Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £96,230 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - no public application process
• Decision Time: Trustees' discretion
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Email: toucheockley@btinternet.com

Phone: 01306 627397

Address: Stane House, Stane Street, Ockley, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 5TQ

Charity Commission: Register entry 278030

Overview

The Atlas Fund is a private grant-making charitable trust established in 1979 and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. With annual expenditure of approximately £96,000, the trust operates under a discretionary model where trustees have absolute authority to determine which charitable purposes to support, when to make grants, and how funds are distributed. The trust's governing document specifies that funds may be applied to “such charitable purposes at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion determine.” The charity maintains a lean operational structure with no paid staff and all grant-making decisions made by a small board of three trustees. The trust has maintained consistent compliance with Charity Commission reporting requirements since its inception.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Atlas Fund operates as a discretionary grant-making trust without fixed grant programs or publicized funding streams. All grants are made at trustees' discretion to charitable trusts and organizations.

Priority Areas

According to Charity Commission records, The Atlas Fund supports:

• Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Science
• Education and Training
• Environment, Conservation, and Heritage
• Overseas Aid and Development
• Health
• Poverty Relief
• Religious Activities
• General Charitable Purposes

What They Don't Fund

No publicly stated exclusions, though grants are limited to registered charitable organizations.

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Governance and Leadership

The Atlas Fund is governed by three trustees who receive no remuneration:

• Lady Hester Touche - Chair (appointed November 2013)
• Peter Touche - Trustee (appointed April 2018)
• Helen Hofmann - Trustee (appointed October 2005)

The board comprises 67% female and 33% male trustees. The trustees appear to have long-term commitment to the organization, with one trustee serving for nearly 20 years.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The trust operates entirely at the discretion of its trustees, who determine which charitable organizations to support without accepting unsolicited applications. Grant decisions are made proactively by trustees through their own research and networks.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - all grants are made at trustees' discretion with no published timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

As The Atlas Fund does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. The trust identifies and selects beneficiaries through trustees' personal knowledge and charitable networks. Organizations supported are likely to be:

• Known to trustees through existing charitable networks
• Operating in areas aligned with trustees' charitable interests
• Possibly located in Surrey or South East England given the trust's location
• Established charities with proven track records

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: This trust cannot be directly approached with funding requests
• Trustee-Driven: All decisions made proactively by three trustees based on their charitable priorities
• Broad Charitable Remit: Supports diverse causes from arts to poverty relief
• Stable Trust: Nearly 45 years of operation with consistent annual giving around £96,000
• Private Family Trust Model: Trustee composition suggests family trust with long-term charitable commitment
• Regional Connection: Based in Surrey, may have particular awareness of South East charitable needs
• Professional Governance: Maintains comprehensive policies despite small size, indicating serious charitable commitment

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
• The Rank Foundation Limited
• The Waterloo Foundation
• The Stone Family Foundation
• THE PRUDENCE TRUST
• PROJECT GIVING BACK
• The Dulverton Trust
• The Constance Travis Charitable Trust
• John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust
• THE LORD MAYOR'S APPEAL
• THE CADOGAN CHARITY
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust
• The Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Settlement
• The Oakdale Trust
• CRH Charitable Trust
• Smith Charitable Trust
• Environment Agency
• ARDONAGH COMMUNITY TRUST
• THE HOSKING CHARITABLE TRUST

References

1. The Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Atlas Fund, Charity Number 278030. Register of Charities. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=278030 [Accessed: February 2026]

1. The Charity Commission - Full Print Record for The Atlas Fund (278030). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/278030/full-print [Accessed: February 2026]

1. Giving is Great - The Atlas Fund Charity Factsheet. Available at: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=278030 [Accessed: February 2026]

1. Charity Choice - The Atlas Fund Profile. Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-atlas-fund-162397 [Accessed: February 2026]