The Beit Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2.5 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (highly competitive)
• Decision Time: 6 months (biannual trustee meetings)
• Grant Range: Up to £50,000 (rarely exceeds this amount)
• Geographic Focus: Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi only

Contact Details

Website: www.beittrust.org.uk

Email: enquiries@beittrust.org.uk | africa@beittrust.org.uk (for grant applications)

Phone: 01483 772575

Address: Beit House, Woking, Surrey, UK

Overview

The Beit Trust is a long-established charitable trust founded in 1906 by financier and philanthropist Alfred Beit. For over a century, the Trust has supported development in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi (the “beneficial countries”). The Trust distributes more than £2.5 million annually, with approximately £1.6 million allocated for new infrastructure projects and over £1 million for long-term recurrent grants including academic scholarships, medical bursaries, teacher training, library books, and school computers. The Trust operates under the guiding principle of support “for the benefit of the people” and works apolitically “without consideration of sex, race and religion.” Investments are managed by JP Morgan with an emphasis on ethical and socially responsible practices. The Trust has funded hundreds of projects in the last five years, including hospitals, clinics, care homes, schools, and libraries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Infrastructure Project Grants: Up to £50,000 (rolling applications with biannual deadlines)

• Applications for the June trustee meeting must be received by 30 November
• Applications for the November trustee meeting must be received by 31 May
• Submit initial motivational letter to africa@beittrust.org.uk
• Applications close to or above £50,000 will very rarely succeed

Recurrent Support: £1+ million annually

• Academic scholarships for postgraduate study
• Medical bursaries
• Teacher training support
• Library books and educational materials
• School computers and technology

Priority Areas

Education

• Secondary and tertiary education infrastructure
• School buildings and equipment
• Library resources and learning centers
• Computer laboratories
• Teacher training programs
• Partnership with IT Schools Africa (ITSA) for refurbished computers
• Collaboration with Book Aid International (over 300,000 books delivered in 2019)
• Partnership with Biblionef for book packs (~750 books per pack)

Health & Welfare

• Hospitals and clinics
• Health centers
• Care homes
• Medical equipment and facilities

Environmental Conservation

• Wildlife conservation projects
• Community welfare projects including drinking water and irrigation
• Black Rhino Conservation Project

The Trust supports established, independent institutions, particularly rural or mission schools, hospitals, and wildlife schemes. Favourable consideration is given to organizations which demonstrate self-help, long-term sustainability, and proper fund administration.

What They Don't Fund

• Government organizations (seldom funded)
• Start-up organizations
• Running costs or operational expenses
• UK grant-making charities (seldom funded)
• Primary education (very seldom supported)
• Projects outside Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi
• Grants above £50,000 (very rarely approved)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees who meet biannually to agree on strategy regarding investments, reserves, risk management, and grant applications:

• Alex Duncan - Chair (appointed 2012)
• James Munro (appointed 2019)
• Liseli Bull (appointed 2016)
• Alison Tweed (appointed 2022)
• Andrew Richard Whittall (appointed 2024)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Regional Structure

Correspondents Committee: 3-4 members per beneficial country who advise on grant applications and conduct in-country project selection

Finance Committee: Meets four weeks before trustee meetings

Investment Management: Delegated to JP Morgan

Strategic Approach

The Trust emphasizes working closely with local community partners and operates with a long-term commitment to the region. Applications are evaluated by regional correspondents who have deep knowledge of local needs and contexts.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Initial Contact

• Submit a motivational letter to africa@beittrust.org.uk
• Address to the Beit Trust Representative in Harare

Step 2: Full Application

Upon invitation, submit a detailed application including:

• Project plans and drawings
• Bills of quantity
• Current quotations for materials and services
• Comprehensive motivation statement
• Assurances regarding fund management and administration
• Evidence of organizational capacity and sustainability

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines:

• For June meeting: Submit by 30 November
• For November meeting: Submit by 31 May

Process:

• Trustees meet every six months (June and November)
• Regional correspondents review applications and make recommendations
• Finance Committee meets four weeks before trustee meetings
• Decision communicated after trustee meetings

Total Timeline: Approximately 6 months from deadline to decision

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust notes that “Trustees are invariably faced with applications for funds greatly in excess of what can be given,” indicating high competition. Applications close to or above the £50,000 maximum “will very rarely succeed.”

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent rounds
• All valid and complete applications go through the same evaluation process
• Some applicants may be specifically invited to reapply after gaining more experience or refining proposals
• If unsuccessful twice without specific invitation to reapply, chances of future success are low
• Feedback on unsuccessful applications is provided when possible, though not always guaranteed

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Trust

Demonstrate Sustainability: “Favourable consideration is given to organisations which demonstrate a degree of self-help, long-term sustainability, and an ability properly to administer the funds provided.”

Prove Cost-Effectiveness: Applications must demonstrate public benefit and cost-effectiveness.

Focus on Enhancement: “Most projects are chosen with the purpose of enhancing existing establishments or programmes, such as independent, rural or mission schools, hospitals and wildlife schemes.” The Trust does not fund start-ups.

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

• University of Zimbabwe Library: £50,000 for Collaborative Learning Centre, Postgraduate Computer Laboratory, and Seminar Room refurbishment
• IT Schools Africa (ITSA): Substantial ongoing core funding for supplying refurbished computers to schools (several thousand computers supplied)
• St Mary's Girls' School, Zomba, Eastern Malawi: Computer equipment through ITSA partnership
• Book Aid International: Major annual grant covering delivery and distribution costs for 300,000+ books
• Biblionef Partnership: Book packs of ~750 books to numerous schools

Strategic Tips

1. Keep Funding Requests Modest: Applications well below £50,000 have better success rates. Consider phasing larger projects.

1. Emphasize Track Record: Focus on your organization's established presence, previous successes, and existing infrastructure. The Trust does not fund start-ups.

1. Show Local Partnerships: Demonstrate connections with regional correspondents and local communities. Applications are evaluated by in-country experts.

1. Highlight Self-Help Elements: Show how your organization contributes resources, volunteer effort, or community engagement alongside the grant request.

1. Provide Detailed Budgets: Include specific quotations, bills of quantity, and project plans. The Trust needs assurance of proper fund administration.

1. Focus on Infrastructure: Capital projects (buildings, equipment) are prioritized over operational costs, which the Trust does not fund.

1. Address Long-Term Impact: Explain how the project will be sustained beyond the initial grant period and the lasting benefit to the community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Restriction is Absolute: Only organizations serving Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Malawi are eligible. This is mandated by Act of Parliament.

• Biannual Application Cycle: Plan ahead for the 30 November or 31 May deadlines. Trustees meet only twice per year, so timing is critical.

• Infrastructure Over Operations: The Trust funds capital projects (buildings, equipment) but not running costs. Frame your application around physical improvements.

• Established Organizations Preferred: The Trust supports enhancement of existing programs, not start-ups. Demonstrate your track record and institutional stability.

• Competitive Funding Environment: Applications greatly exceed available funds. Requests close to £50,000 very rarely succeed. Consider requesting significantly less.

• Local Knowledge Matters: Regional correspondents in-country evaluate applications. Building relationships and understanding local context is valuable.

• Comprehensive Documentation Required: Detailed project plans, quotations, and evidence of administrative capacity are essential. Incomplete applications will not succeed.

References

1. The Beit Trust Official Website - Grants Page: https://beittrust.org.uk/beit-trust-grants/
2. The Beit Trust Official Website - Organisation Page: https://beittrust.org.uk/beit-trust-organisation/
3. UK Charity Commission Register - The Beit Trust (Charity 232478): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=232478
4. Giving is Great - The Beit Trust Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=232478
5. TripleFunds - Grants from Beit Trust: https://triple-funds.com/tf-entry/funding-from-beit-trust/
6. Terra Viva Grants - Beit Trust: https://www.terravivagrants.org/group-5-cross-cutting/beit-trust/