The Balcombe Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £420,000 (historical average)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £160,000 (historically)
• Typical Grant: £20,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and international
• Current Status: Not accepting new applications

Contact Details

• Website: www.balcombetrust.org.uk
• Email: enquiries@balcombetrust.org.uk
• Phone: 020 7304 2000
• Charity Number: 267172

Overview

The Balcombe Charitable Trust (registered 267172) is a UK-based grant-making charity that historically has supported registered charitable organisations working in education, environment, health and welfare. In the financial year ending April 2014, the Trust made donations to 21 different charitable organisations totalling £419,695, with an average award of approximately £20,000. The Trust has historically focused on providing grants for two to three years to help ensure project stability. As of August 2024, the trustees announced they are not currently inviting new proposals for funding, instead focusing management resources on working more closely with existing partners in the UK and internationally. The Trust experienced significant investment losses of £3,350,875 in the financial year ending April 2023, which may explain the current pause in new grant-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Historical Grant Programme (Currently Closed)

• Grant Range: £5,000 - £160,000
• Typical Award: £20,000
• Duration: 2-3 years funding periods preferred
• Application Method: Previously rolling basis via email application

Priority Areas

The Trust has historically supported:

• Youth Employment and Homelessness: Innovative projects working with homeless and/or unemployed or not in education (NEET) young people in the UK, with particular interest in projects supporting young women
• Health and Welfare: 95% of all grants historically awarded to health and welfare projects
• Education: Educational projects aligned with charitable objectives
• Environment: Environmental initiatives (lesser focus compared to health/welfare)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a registered charitable organisation or organisation with charitable objects exempt from charitable registration
• Historical preference for organisations with annual income between £500,000 and £3,000,000
• No grants to individuals

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Non-charitable organisations
• Currently: no new applications from any organisation (temporary suspension)

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Governance and Leadership

Specific trustee information is available through the UK Charity Commission register (charity number 267172). The Trust's decision-making is undertaken by a board of trustees who meet to review applications and make funding decisions.

The trustees' recent decision to pause new grant applications and focus on existing partnerships suggests a strategic approach to ensuring quality relationships and effective use of limited resources during a period of financial challenge.

Application Process and Timeline

Current Status

IMPORTANT: As of August 2024, the Trust is not currently inviting new proposals for funding. The trustees have decided to focus management resources on working more closely with existing partners in the UK and overseas.

Historical Application Process (When Open)

How to Apply (when accepting applications):

• Short proposal (maximum 1,000 words)
• Budget
• Latest annual report and financial statements
• Applications submitted via email to enquiries@balcombetrust.org.uk
• No formal application form
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines not publicly disclosed. Historical information from 2016/17 indicates:

• Charities being considered were informed and kept notified on progress
• Lesser grants awarded mid-financial year
• Multi-year grants (2-3 years) were the preferred approach

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Historical data shows:

• In 2014, 21 organisations received funding
• Total number of applications received not published

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Key Application Advice (from historical guidance)

Clarity of Purpose: “Proposals should be very clear about what they hope to achieve or learn from the project, and how they intend to evaluate its success.”

Evaluation Plans: Strong emphasis on including clear evaluation methodology in proposals.

Innovation: The Trust historically sought “innovative projects” particularly in the youth homelessness and unemployment sector.

Successful Funding Examples

• Royal Marines Charity: Received grant to support recovery of seriously ill Royal Marines at the Hasler Naval Service Recovery Centre at HMS Drake, Devonport, Plymouth
• Focus on health and welfare projects (95% of portfolio)
• Projects supporting young women experiencing homelessness or unemployment

Strategic Considerations

• Organisation Size Matters: Historical preference for mid-sized organisations (£500K-£3M annual income)
• Multi-year Thinking: The Trust values stability and prefers funding projects over 2-3 years
• Target Demographics: Strong alignment with projects supporting young people, particularly young women, experiencing homelessness or unemployment
• Innovation Over Replication: Emphasis on innovative approaches rather than established models

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Currently Closed: The Trust is not accepting new applications as of August 2024. Monitor their website for future reopening announcements
• Existing Partners Priority: When closed to new applications, the Trust focuses on deepening relationships with current grantees
• Sweet Spot Organisation Size: Historically targeted organisations with £500K-£3M annual income
• Youth Focus: Strongest alignment with projects supporting homeless or unemployed young people, especially young women
• Health and Welfare Dominant: 95% of historical grants went to health and welfare causes
• Multi-year Relationships: Preference for 2-3 year funding commitments suggests they value sustained partnerships
• Clear Evaluation Essential: Proposals must articulate clear outcomes and evaluation methods
• Financial Context: Recent significant investment losses may explain the pause in new grant-making

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Synchronicity Earth
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• BBC Children in Need
• Academy of Medical Sciences
• Ecological Restoration Fund
• Denise Coates Foundation
• Tommy's
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
• THE FEBRUARY FOUNDATION
• THE RUFFORD FOUNDATION
• BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
• The Arts Council of England
• Environment Agency
• THE BIG GIVE TRUST
• THE CRUCIBLE FOUNDATION

References

1. Balcombe Charitable Trust official website - www.balcombetrust.org.uk
2. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 267172, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=267172
3. FundsForNGOs - “Balcombe Charitable Trust: Supporting Projects in the Fields of Education, Environment, Health and Welfare” https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/balcombe-charitable-trust-supporting-projects-in-the-fields-of-education-environment-health-and-welfare/
4. Royal Marines Charity - “Our Funding Partnerships” https://rma-trmc.org/trusts-and-partnerships/our-funding-partnerships/
5. PAVO Funding News - “Balcombe Charitable Trust” (2015 blog post with historical application information)
6. Find That Charity - GB-CHC-267172 The Balcombe Charitable Trust, https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-267172
7. Financial information from Charity Commission returns for financial year ending 5 April 2023