The Blueberry Hill Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £194,894 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (trustee discretion)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with international projects
• Charity Number: 1096665 (now operating as CIO 1208220)

Contact Details

The Blueberry Hill CIO

• Address: Chilworth Manor, Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8NN
• Phone: 01483 561414
• Email: contact@blueberry-hill.org
• Charity Numbers: 1096665 (original), 1208220 (CIO)

Overview

The Blueberry Hill Charitable Trust was established by Sir Graham Wrigley and operates as a private grant-making trust supporting general charitable purposes. In May 2024, the trust transitioned from an unincorporated association to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The trust is funded principally by gifts from its founders, with investment income used to further charitable objectives. In the financial year ending May 31, 2024, the trust allocated £194,894 in grants to institutions, down from £241,252 in 2023. The trust has total assets and generates income through investments and occasional fundraising events, including an annual "Picnic & Pimms" event, with proceeds distributed to selected charities. Notably, in 2009, the trust's chairman and trustees launched Samriddha Pahad in Nepal, demonstrating long-term commitment to international development projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates with broad charitable objectives, with funding decisions made at the absolute discretion of trustees. There are no specific grant programs or publicly defined funding tiers.

Priority Areas

Based on documented funding patterns:

• International Development: Particularly projects in Nepal (Samriddha Pahad UK)
• Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation: Support for organizations like Cashpor
• General Charitable Purposes: Trustees exercise discretion across a wide range of causes

The trust makes grants to both individuals and organizations, with the majority of funding going to institutions rather than individuals.

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified, as all funding decisions are made at trustees' absolute discretion.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Sir Graham Wrigley - Founder and Trustee for Life, Chairman
• Anna Wrigley - Trustee for Life
• Jonathan Drew - Trustee since 2003
• Iain Young - Trustee since 2018

The trust is managed by four trustees who meet regularly to consider grant-making, investment, reserves, and risk management policies. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Day-to-day management is in the hands of the trustees, who are empowered to use both the charity's income and capital for charitable purposes at their absolute discretion.

According to charity documents, “The trustees adopt a proactive approach in seeking worthy causes requiring support,” indicating they actively identify beneficiaries rather than solely responding to applications.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Blueberry Hill Charitable Trust operates through trustee discretion, with trustees proactively seeking worthy causes to support. Grants are made to organizations identified by the trustees rather than through an open application process. The trust's charitable objects state that funding is for “such charitable purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion think fit.”

Given this approach, the trust does not accept unsolicited applications in the traditional sense. Funding relationships appear to be established through:

• Trustee identification of worthy causes
• Long-term project relationships (e.g., Samriddha Pahad, Cashpor)
• Discretionary consideration of organizations brought to trustees' attention

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no formal application process, organizations might consider:

• Initial contact through email: The trust has provided contact@blueberry-hill.org as a point of contact. Organizations could send a concise introductory letter outlining their work, particularly if it aligns with the trust's documented interests in international development, poverty alleviation, or microfinance.

• Connection to Nepal-focused work: Given the trust's significant commitment to Samriddha Pahad in Nepal and other development projects, organizations working in this geographic area or on similar issues may be of interest.

• Long-term relationship building: The trust's support for Samriddha Pahad and Cashpor suggests they value sustained engagement with projects over time rather than one-off grants.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Trustees meet regularly to consider grant-making decisions, but specific meeting schedules and decision timeframes are not disclosed.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust does not operate an open application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the trust operates through trustee discretion rather than a formal application cycle.

Application Success Factors

Since this trust operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications, the following factors appear relevant based on documented funding patterns:

Documented Funding Interests:

• Long-term sustainable projects: The trust's support for Samriddha Pahad since 2009 demonstrates interest in sustained, multi-year commitments
• International development: Particularly in Nepal and South Asia, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and access to finance
• Poverty alleviation and microfinance: Support for Cashpor indicates interest in financial inclusion projects
• Measurable impact: The trust's annual reports reference “performance” when discussing funding commitments, suggesting outcomes matter

Trustee Approach:

According to charity filings, “The trustees adopt a proactive approach in seeking worthy causes requiring support” and make decisions “subject to further enquiry and performance.” This suggests:

• Trustees value due diligence and ongoing monitoring
• Performance and results influence continued support
• Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate impact and accountability

Strategic Alignment:

The trust's founder, Sir Graham Wrigley, personally launched Samriddha Pahad, suggesting that causes with personal connection to trustees or alignment with their values may be prioritized.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This trust operates through trustee discretion and proactively identifies causes to support; traditional grant applications are not accepted
• Relationship-focused: Long-term commitments to organizations like Samriddha Pahad (since 2009) suggest the trust values sustained partnerships over one-off grants
• International development focus: Documented support for Nepal-based projects and microfinance initiatives indicates this is a priority area
• Performance matters: References to “performance” in funding decisions suggest trustees expect accountability and measurable results
• Small but strategic: With annual giving under £200,000, this is a small trust making selective grants to carefully chosen causes
• Initial contact possible: While unsolicited applications aren't formally accepted, the trust provides contact details (contact@blueberry-hill.org), suggesting initial inquiries may be welcomed
• Trustee discretion is absolute: All decisions rest with four trustees who have complete discretion over funding choices, making personal connections and alignment with trustee values particularly important

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities. (2025). “THE BLUEBERRY HILL CHARITABLE TRUST - 1096665.” Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3997577/what-who-how-where
• Charity Commission Register of Charities. (2025). “THE BLUEBERRY HILL CIO - 1208220.” Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5231473/full-print
• Charity Commission. “REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1096665 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.” Retrieved from Charity Commission accounts database
• Charity Choice. “The Blueberry Hill Cio.” Retrieved from https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-blueberry-hill-cio-1208220
• Samriddha Pahad official website. Retrieved from https://www.spnepal.org/
• Charity Commission Register of Charities. “SAMRIDDHA PAHAD UK - 1152358.” Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5036774/what-who-how-where

All sources.