The Bay Tree Charitable Trust
Charity Number: 1044091
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £120,000 (minimum)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not specified (rolling applications)
- Grant Range: £5,000 - £20,000
- Geographic Focus: National (UK registered charities working in UK and/or overseas)
Contact Details
Address: 10 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London, WC2A 3QG
Email: appeals@baytreecharity.org
Phone: 020 7465 4300
Website: The Trust does not maintain a website
Overview
The Bay Tree Charitable Trust is a London-based family grant-making trust registered with the Charity Commission on 14 February 1995 (Charity Number 1044091). The Trust operates as a discretionary grant-maker, deriving its income from listed investments. With a recent total income of £165,076 and total expenditure of £820,288, the Trust makes a limited number of grants annually, aiming to distribute a minimum of £120,000 per year. The trustees operate a flexible grant-giving policy, providing funds for such charitable objects or institutions as the trustees think fit, with no specific thematic restrictions. This approach allows them to support a broad range of charitable causes both in the UK and overseas. The Trust maintains a low public profile and does not maintain a website.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- General Grants: £5,000 - £20,000 per grant
- Rolling applications accepted year-round
- No specific closing dates
- Limited number of grants made annually (target minimum total of £120,000)
Priority Areas
The Trust exercises broad discretion in its grant-making. There are no specified priority sectors or themes. The trustees consider applications for any charitable purpose they deem appropriate. This includes support for:
- UK registered charities working domestically
- UK registered charities working internationally
- Both project-specific and general charitable purposes
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals (only UK registered charities eligible)
- Non-registered organizations

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Governance and Leadership
Trustees:
- Emma Louise Benton
- Ian Mungo Park Benton
- Paul Hans Benton
The Trust is governed by three trustees from the Benton family who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustees are responsible for controlling the work, management, and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries. They operate a discretionary grant-giving policy with full authority to determine which charitable causes to support.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specific closing dates. All requests for grant support should be made by letter or email to appeals@baytreecharity.org.
Required information in application:
- Aims and objectives of the applying charity
- Nature of the appeal
- Total funding target (if for a specific project)
- Contributions already received against the funding target
- Registered Charity Number
- Any other relevant factors
Required supporting documentation:
- Latest charitable organization report
- Full financial accounts
The Trust does not maintain an online application portal or website.
Decision Timeline
No specific decision timeline information is publicly available. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Success Rates
Success rate information is not publicly disclosed. Given the Trust aims to make grants totalling a minimum of £120,000 per year with individual grants ranging from £5,000 to £20,000, approximately 6-24 grants may be awarded annually (depending on individual grant sizes).
Reapplication Policy
No specific information about reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants is publicly available.
Application Success Factors
Due to the limited public information available about The Bay Tree Charitable Trust's specific preferences and decision-making criteria, the following guidance is based on the Trust's stated approach:
Discretionary approach: The Trust operates with broad discretion, considering applications for any charitable purpose the trustees deem appropriate. Applications should clearly articulate the charitable purpose and impact of the work.
Financial documentation: The Trust specifically requires latest reports and full financial accounts, suggesting they conduct thorough due diligence on applicants' financial management and organizational stability.
Clear project justification: Applications should clearly explain the nature of the appeal, the total funding target (if project-specific), and contributions already received, demonstrating realistic funding planning.
Appropriate grant size: Ensure your request falls within the £5,000 to £20,000 range and aligns with the Trust's capacity to make a limited number of grants annually.
Professional presentation: Given the formal application requirements (letter or email with comprehensive documentation), applications should be professionally prepared and thorough.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Flexible mandate: The Trust has no specific thematic restrictions, making it accessible to a wide range of charitable causes in the UK and overseas
- Rolling applications: With no closing dates, you can apply when ready—no need to wait for application windows
- Limited competition visibility: Success rates are not disclosed, but the Trust makes a “limited number” of grants annually from a £120,000 minimum pool
- Comprehensive documentation required: Ensure you have up-to-date financial accounts and organizational reports prepared before applying
- Appropriate ask: Requests should be between £5,000 and £20,000—carefully consider where in this range your project sits
- No website presence: All information must be gathered from third-party sources or direct contact; expect a traditional, formal application process
- Family trust approach: As a family-run trust with investment-derived income, expect a conservative, careful approach to grant-making decisions
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References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities. “THE BAY TREE CHARITABLE TRUST - 1044091.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1044091&subid=0
- Bath and North East Somerset Council. “The Bay Tree Charitable Trust.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/89044
- Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. “The Bay Tree Charitable Trust.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://cornwallvsf.org/supporting/funding/the-bay-tree-charitable-trust/
- Charity Commission Trustee Register. “Trustees, THE BAY TREE CHARITABLE TRUST.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1044091/trustees