The Belforte Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £294,566 (2024)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-based organisations (international considered case-by-case)
• Decision Time: Approximately 2 weeks for shortlisting
• Eligibility: Organisations with income under £250,000 and reserves under £500,000

Contact Details

Email: info@tmalegal.com

Phone: 020 3657 6890

Charity Number: 1176386

Website: belfortetrust.org.uk (Note: Website appears to be under development or temporarily unavailable)

Application Method: Online application form only via website

Overview

The Belforte Trust is a UK charitable incorporated organisation registered in 2017, dedicated to relieving the suffering of animals in need of care and attention. With total income of £329,110 and expenditure of £294,566 in 2024, the Trust operates a focused grant-making programme supporting small to medium-sized animal welfare organisations. The Trust's mission encompasses caring for and rehoming abandoned, mistreated, or lost animals, providing veterinary care and treatment, promoting kindness to animals, and preventing or suppressing cruelty. Operating with three trustees and one volunteer, the Trust emphasises direct impact, prioritising grants that will make measurable differences to both the organisations they support and the animals those organisations protect.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: £1,000 - £10,000 per organisation per year

• Running Costs: Maximum £5,000 (covers food, vet bills, general funds, medications)
• Capital Projects: £5,001 - £10,000 (available only for capital build, equipment purchases, and tangible items)
• Application Method: Rolling basis via online application form

Priority Areas

The Trust funds animal welfare projects supporting:

• Companion Animals: Cats, dogs, and other domestic pets (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small rodents)
• British Wildlife: Native British animals including birds, deer, squirrels, foxes, rodents, badgers, reptiles, and other mammals
• Rescue and Rehabilitation: Wildlife rescue centres and animal sanctuaries
• Veterinary Care: Medical treatment and care facilities
• Rehoming Programmes: Services that care for and rehome abandoned, mistreated, or lost animals

Recent grant examples include:

• Wild Things Rescue: £5,800 for two polytunnels for wild bird rehabilitation
• Sompting Wildlife Rescue: £4,370 for reach and rescue kits and soft release pens
• Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary: £5,000 for core running costs (feed, straw, and hay)
• Angels 4 Dogs: £2,500 for vet costs and kennelling fees

What They Don't Fund

The Trust has not published explicit exclusions, but their focus is clearly on animal welfare organisations. Individual applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Ugo Tanda - Trustee (appointed November 2017)
• Francesca Rossi - Trustee (appointed May 2022)
• Emanuela Vartolomei - Trustee (appointed June 2023)

One or more trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity for providing services. The Trust operates with a lean structure supported by one volunteer.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts applications exclusively through their online application form available on their website. They cannot accept applications submitted through any other method.

Application Requirements:

1. Check and complete the eligibility checklist
2. Read the reporting criteria and requirements
3. Complete the online application form via belfortetrust.org.uk/grants

For Shortlisted Applicants:

• Direct contact for further discussion
• Two references of good standing required (not needed at application stage)
• Must submit accounts and annual budget

Eligibility Criteria:

• Annual income across all income streams of less than £250,000 (last reporting period)
• Reserves of less than £500,000
• Based in or have representatives in the UK
• Organisations outside the UK considered on a case-by-case basis

Decision Timeline

• Shortlisting Notification: Target of 14 days after application submission
• Unsuccessful Applicants: Will receive a reason for rejection
• Shortlisted Applicants: Contacted directly for further discussion

The Trust has made their application procedure as streamlined as possible while maintaining informed decision-making.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust has not published a specific reapplication policy. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Trust for guidance on when and whether reapplication is appropriate.

Application Success Factors

The Trust emphasises impact as their primary evaluation criterion. Successful applications demonstrate:

Clear Impact Metrics: The Trust looks for evidence of “how much impact their grant will make to your organisation and to the animals you work to protect.” Quantify the difference the grant will make - for example, number of animals helped, lives saved, or capacity increased.

Alignment with Scale Requirements: The Trust specifically targets smaller organisations (under £250,000 income) where their grants can make proportionally significant differences. Applications should demonstrate how the grant represents meaningful capacity building for the organisation.

Tangible Outcomes for Capital Projects: For grants over £5,000, applications must focus on capital build, equipment purchases, or tangible items. Recent successful grants included specific items like polytunnels, rescue kits, and soft release pens - all concrete additions that directly enhance animal care capabilities.

Running Costs with Clear Purpose: While running costs are capped at £5,000, successful applications in this category demonstrate essential operational needs. The Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary grant for winter feed, straw, and hay shows the Trust values applications that address fundamental animal welfare needs.

Preparation for Shortlisting: Be ready to provide two references of good standing and submit accounts and annual budget if shortlisted. Having these materials prepared demonstrates organisational readiness and professionalism.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on measurable impact: The Trust's primary criterion is demonstrable difference to both organisations and animals - quantify outcomes clearly
• Match your request to grant tiers: Running costs capped at £5,000; capital projects can reach £10,000 - structure your application accordingly
• Target appropriate scale: With under £300K annual giving, the Trust supports smaller organisations where their grants create proportional impact
• Be specific about outcomes: Recent grants show preference for concrete items and specific purposes (polytunnels, rescue kits) rather than general requests
• Prepare supporting materials: Have references, accounts, and budget ready for the shortlisting stage to move quickly when contacted
• Apply via correct channel: Online form only - other application methods will not be accepted
• Expect feedback: Unsuccessful applicants receive reasons for rejection, providing learning opportunities for future applications

References

• Charity Commission - The Belforte Trust Overview -
• Charity Commission - The Belforte Trust Trustees -
• Sussex Express - Sussex wildlife rescue charity rescue ready thanks to grant -
• The Isle of Thanet News - Angels 4 Dogs charity receives £2,500 boost -
• Belforte Foundation - Wild Things Rescue -
• Belforte Foundation - Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary -
• The Belforte Trust website (belfortetrust.org.uk/grants) - Referenced in search results but website currently unavailable -