The Barber Charvet Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1196137
• Annual Income: £48,591 (year ending 31 December 2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £295,636 (year ending 31 December 2024)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK
• Application Type: Trustee discretion - no public application process

Contact Details

• Charity Commission: View on Register

Overview

The Barber Charvet Trust makes grants to other (mostly smaller) charities where the trustees, in their sole discretion, feel the charity fulfils the criteria set by the Board. The trust also administers the wishes of the late Frank Barber. With annual expenditure of approximately £296,000 significantly exceeding its income of approximately £49,000, the trust appears to be spending down capital to fulfil its charitable mission. The trust operates with five trustees and employs no staff, with all trustees serving without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The trust operates a single discretionary grant programme:

• Discretionary Grants: Amount varies - awarded to smaller charities at trustee discretion
• Application Method: No public application process - grants awarded through trustee discretion

Priority Areas

The trust's specific funding priorities are not publicly disclosed. Grants are made to charitable organisations that meet criteria established by the Board of Trustees and align with the wishes of the late Frank Barber. The focus appears to be on supporting smaller charitable organisations.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the trust only funds other registered charities, not individuals or non-charitable organisations.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by a board of five trustees who serve without remuneration or benefits. The composition of the board suggests this is a family trust established by or connected to the Barber and Charvet families. Specific trustee details are available on the Charity Commission register.

How to Apply to The Barber Charvet Trust

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the sole discretion of the trustees based on criteria set by the Board. The trust does not operate an open application portal or accept unsolicited applications through standard channels.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists. Decision timelines are at the discretion of the trustees.

Success Rates

Not disclosed publicly.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the absence of a public application process and limited publicly available information, specific success factors cannot be determined. However, based on the trust's stated purpose, the following can be inferred:

• Size Matters: The trust explicitly states it focuses on “mostly smaller” charities, suggesting preference for organisations with limited resources
• Trustee Discretion: All grants are made where trustees “in their sole discretion” feel the charity meets board criteria
• Alignment with Founder's Intent: The trust administers “the wishes of the late Frank Barber,” suggesting grants align with his philanthropic vision
• Charitable Status Required: Recipients must be registered charities

Without access to annual reports detailing specific grant recipients or application guidelines, it is not possible to provide more detailed success factors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This trust does not accept open applications and operates entirely through trustee discretion
• Family Trust Structure: The board composition suggests this is a private family trust, likely limiting grantmaking to causes known to the trustees
• Focus on Smaller Charities: The trust explicitly prioritises smaller charitable organisations
• Limited Public Information: Very little information is publicly available about funding priorities, grant sizes, or decision criteria
• Capital Drawdown: The trust is spending significantly more than its income, suggesting it may be time-limited or drawing down capital to fulfil its mission
• Building Relationships May Be Necessary: With no public application process, building a relationship with trustees may be the only path to funding

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• P E Lennard Charitable Will Trust
• Mole Charitable Trust
• J A Gillett Charitable Trust
• Cecil And Hilda Lewis Charitable Trust
• The Joseph And Ruth Smilg Charitable Trust
• The Burry Charitable Trust
• The Balney Charitable Trust
• Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust
• The Willan Charitable Trust
• Douglas Compton James Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The Barber Charvet Trust (Charity Number 1196137).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1196137
• Financial information from Charity Commission register for financial year ending 31 December 2024