The Bassil Shippam And Alsford Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £218,050 (2024)
• Annual Income: £161,400 (2024)
• Grant Range: £1,000 (documented example)
• Geographic Focus: UK with emphasis on West Sussex/Chichester area
• Application Method: Written application to trustees
• Trustee Meetings: Quarterly (January, April, July, October)

Contact Details

Address: Thomas Eggar House, Friary Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1UF

Phone: 01243 786111

Email: shippam@irwinmitchell.com

Charity Number: 256996

Overview

The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust is a registered charity established in honor of Charles Percival Bassil Shippam, MBE, a prominent Chichester philanthropist well-known both locally and nationally for a lifetime of voluntary work for charitable organizations in West Sussex. The trust has 10 trustees who serve without remuneration and manages annual expenditure of approximately £218,050 (2024), drawing from both annual income and reserves. The trust maintains a focused approach to grant-making, primarily supporting registered charities working in care for young and older people, health, education, and religion. The trust has demonstrated particular commitment to supporting disadvantaged young people in the local Chichester area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a trustee-discretion grant program with quarterly decision meetings. While specific grant ranges are not publicly disclosed, documented grants include £1,000 awards to local organizations. The trust distributed £218,050 in the year ending April 2024, suggesting capacity for multiple grants across their priority areas.

Priority Areas

Young People:

• Disadvantaged youth programs
• Educational outdoor experiences
• Support for looked-after children
• Programs for young carers
• Children with special educational needs (EHCP holders)
• Free School Meal recipients (Pupil Premium eligible)

Older People:

• Care programs for elderly populations

Health:

• Health-related charitable activities

Education:

• Educational programs and initiatives
• School-based interventions for vulnerable pupils

Religion:

• Religious charitable activities

What They Don't Fund

The trust explicitly states that applications will only be considered from registered charities, meaning they do not fund individuals or unregistered organizations.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 10 trustees who receive no compensation, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust operates without trading subsidiaries and maintains current compliance with Charity Commission reporting requirements. The trustees have continued the policy established in honor of Charles Percival Bassil Shippam, MBE, focusing on local impact in the Chichester and West Sussex area while maintaining flexibility to support UK-wide registered charities in their priority areas.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted in writing to the trust at their Chichester office. Based on the practice of the related Friarsgate Trust (also established by Bassil Shippam), applicants are likely required to provide:

• Completed application form (contact the trust to request)
• Detailed project budget
• Demonstration of positive and significant impact on beneficiaries
• Current financial information for the applying organization

All applications must come from registered charities only.

Decision Timeline

The trust operates on a quarterly decision-making cycle with trustee meetings held on the second Tuesday of January, April, July, and October. Applications should be submitted at least one month before the relevant trustees' meeting to ensure consideration. Grant recipients typically receive notification within three weeks of the trustees' meeting.

This means the effective timeline from submission to decision is approximately 6-8 weeks, depending on when the application is submitted relative to the quarterly meeting schedule.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that receive a grant from the trust should note that a further application will not normally be considered for a period of 12 months from the date of grant. This policy ensures fair distribution of funds across the trust's beneficiary base.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear Local Impact:

The trust has a strong connection to Chichester and West Sussex. The documented example of funding to Cobnor Activities Centre Trust shows the trust values projects that serve specific, identifiable local beneficiaries with measurable outcomes.

Focus on Vulnerable Beneficiaries:

The funded summer camp project specifically targeted six disadvantaged pupils selected based on vulnerability criteria including mental health needs, looked-after children status, free school meal eligibility, and special educational needs. Applications that clearly identify and address the needs of vulnerable populations align well with the trust's priorities.

Provide Detailed Project Information:

Based on the evaluation requirements common to similar trusts, successful applicants should be prepared to provide specific information about project activities, expected outcomes, and how impact will be measured.

Align with Core Funding Areas:

Ensure your project clearly falls within the trust's stated priorities: care for young and older people, health, education, or religion. The trust has demonstrated particular interest in educational outdoor experiences and programs supporting disadvantaged youth.

Submit Complete Applications:

Include all required documentation and financial information. Incomplete applications may not be considered at the intended trustees' meeting, resulting in delays of three months until the next quarterly meeting.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Quarterly decision cycle: Plan submissions at least one month before January, April, July, or October meetings for timely consideration
• Local connection valued: While UK-wide charities are eligible, demonstrated impact in West Sussex/Chichester area appears advantageous
• Registered charities only: Ensure your organization has current charity registration before applying
• 12-month gap: Plan your funding strategy accordingly as reapplication won't be considered within 12 months of receiving a grant
• Vulnerable populations: Projects serving disadvantaged young people, particularly those with multiple vulnerability factors, align with documented funding patterns
• Evaluation required: Prepare to complete evaluation reporting after receiving funding to demonstrate impact
• Modest grant sizes: While total annual giving exceeds £200,000, individual grants appear to be in the hundreds to low thousands range based on documented examples

References

• Charity Commission Register - The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust -
• Cobnor Activities Centre Trust Impact Report -
• Friarsgate Trust Website - Information on application process for related trust established by same founder -
• Charity Choice Directory - The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust -
• Donnington House Benefactors - List of organizations supported -
• Portsmouth News - Opening Doors to Opportunity: Funded Summer Camps at Cobnor -