The Brendish Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 1079065
• Annual Giving: £169,423 (2023)
• Total Funds: £3,495,000 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Process: No public application process (invitation/trustee discretion only)
• Founded: 24 January 2000

Contact Details

Address: Kimbridge Estate Office, Kimbridge Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 0LE

Phone: 01794 340170

Email: jessica@pendennis.org.uk

Note: The foundation does not usually accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Brendish Family Foundation was registered as a charity on 24 January 2000 and operates from the Kimbridge Estate in Romsey, Hampshire. As of 2023, the foundation held total funds of £3,495,000 and distributed £169,423 in charitable grants. The foundation operates under general charitable purposes “as are for the time being charitable under the laws of England and Wales” and makes grants to organisations and charitable projects throughout England and Wales.

The foundation is closely associated with the Brendish family, who own the Kimbridge Estate on the River Test. Clay and Sue Brendish, key figures in the foundation's governance, are known for their philanthropic work, particularly their support of Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, a charity supporting women who have experienced breast cancer. The foundation explicitly states it does not usually accept unsolicited applications, operating instead through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates as a grant-making trust without specific named grant programmes. All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Grant-Making Approach: The foundation supports various charities and charitable projects across England and Wales, with grants awarded based on trustee selection rather than open application processes.

Priority Areas

The foundation's charitable objects are intentionally broad, encompassing “all such purposes as are for the time being charitable under the laws of England and Wales.” This provides the trustees with flexibility to support causes aligned with their values and interests.

Based on publicly known philanthropic activities of the Brendish family, areas of interest include:

• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Support for women affected by breast cancer (demonstrated through partnership with Casting for Recovery)
• Community and environmental causes

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it does not usually accept unsolicited applications, indicating they:

• Do not operate an open grant application process
• Fund charities selected by trustees rather than responding to general requests
• May focus on charities with which trustees have pre-existing relationships or knowledge

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by seven trustees, with a gender balance of 57% male and 43% female:

1. Clayton Mark Brendish - Principal trustee and owner of Kimbridge Estate
2. Susan Ann Fenton Brendish - Co-owner of Kimbridge Estate
3. Dr Claire Brendish - Appointed 13 January 2014
4. Dr Nathan James Brendish
5. Frederick William Pritchard-Smith - Appointed 24 July 2017
6. Natalie Lauren Pritchard-Smith
7. Graham Leonard Chambers

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all charitable funds are directed to grant-making activities.

Key Leadership

Clay and Sue Brendish are the driving forces behind the foundation. Clay Brendish is the owner of the Kimbridge Estate and has been recognised for his philanthropic contributions. The couple became the first-ever Patrons of Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, with the charity's founder noting they have “shown great empathy with our aims and been extremely generous with their time and estate.” The Brendishes have hosted multiple charitable retreats at Kimbridge, demonstrating their hands-on approach to philanthropy.

How to Apply to The Brendish Family Foundation

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Brendish Family Foundation explicitly states it supports “various charities and charitable projects (although not usually from unsolicited applications).” This means:

• The foundation operates through trustee discretion
• Grants are awarded to charities identified and selected by the trustees
• There is no formal application portal, guidelines, or submission process
• The foundation does not actively seek or encourage applications from charities

Funding decisions are made internally based on the trustees' knowledge of and relationships with charitable organisations operating in their areas of interest.

Application Success Factors

For Organisations Seeking to Understand This Funder

While the Brendish Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organisations seeking to understand the foundation's approach should note:

Trustee-Led Selection: All funding decisions are made by the seven-member board of trustees, who select charities aligned with their philanthropic interests and values.

Demonstrated Values: The Brendish family's public philanthropy demonstrates values including:

• Support for health and wellbeing causes
• Particular interest in women's health (evidenced by patronage of Casting for Recovery)
• Generosity with both financial resources and personal time/assets (such as hosting retreats at their estate)
• Hands-on involvement rather than arms-length grant-making

Relationship-Based Giving: The foundation's approach suggests they prefer to support organisations with which they have personal knowledge or connection, rather than making grants based on written applications from unknown organisations.

Conservative Spending Rate: In 2023, the foundation spent approximately 4.8% of its total funds (£169,423 from £3,495,000), indicating selective grant-making rather than volume-based distribution.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - do not submit speculative funding requests
• Trustee Discretion: All grants are awarded based on trustee selection, not competitive application processes
• Relationship-Based: The foundation appears to fund organisations known to or identified by trustees
• Broad Charitable Remit: While registered for general charitable purposes, demonstrated interests include health, wellbeing, and women's health
• Family Foundation: This is a private family foundation operating from the Brendish family's estate in Hampshire
• Significant Assets, Selective Giving: With £3.5 million in assets but relatively modest annual distribution, the foundation is selective in its grant-making
• Hampshire Base: Located in Romsey, Hampshire, though legally able to fund throughout England and Wales

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Du Plessis Family Foundation
• The Freddie Green And Family Charitable Foundation
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• The Behrens Foundation
• The Lili Tapper Charitable Foundation
• Morris Leigh Foundation
• The Azouz Foundation
• The Schroder Foundation
• The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust
• C A Redfern Charitable Foundation

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Brendish Family Foundation (Charity No. 1079065): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1079065
• Giving is Great - The Brendish Family Foundation Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1079065
• Countryside Alliance - "Clay & Sue Brendish join unique charity as Patrons": https://www.countryside-alliance.org/resources/news/clay-sue-brendish-join-unique-charity-as-patrons
• Fish & Fly - “Casting for Recovery holds its 10th retreat at Kimbridge”: https://www.fishandfly.com/casting-for-recovery-holds-its-10th-retreat-at-kimbridge/
• UK Charity Commission - Trustee Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3967846/trustees