The Bridge Trust Ltd
Charity Number: 1142658
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £104,456
- Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
- Decision Time: Not applicable (relationship-based)
- Grant Range: Various (from £5/month to project-specific amounts)
- Geographic Focus: UK (Bristol area), India, and Zambia
Contact Details
Website: www.thebridgetrustltd.org
Phone: 0117 330 6489
Email: contact@thebridgetrustltd.org
Donations: donate@thebridgetrustltd.org
Address: 24 Stanbury Road, Bristol, BS3 4QG
Overview
The Bridge Trust Ltd was established in 2011 by Dave and Rhi Day when they stepped down from church leadership. This Christian-based charity supports ministries they were previously connected to, with some relationships extending back over twenty years. Since September 2022, the charity has been led by Colin and Cara Medus. With annual income of £89,887 and expenditure of £104,456 (2023/24), the Trust works in relief, education, training, and development across the UK, India, and Zambia. They make grants to both individuals and organizations working to relieve poverty, illness, disability, social exclusion, or age-related needs, operating exclusively through established relationships rather than open applications.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Bridge Trust operates a relationship-based grant-making model rather than formal programs:
- Ongoing support for established partner organizations
- One-off grants for specific needs
- Project-specific funding (e.g., £700 for rural toilet blocks, £5/month for school meals)
- All grants made through invitation only to pre-existing partners
Priority Areas
International Development (India & Zambia):
- Healthcare provision in slum communities
- Education and schools (particularly slum schools)
- Training and support for church leaders
- Support for orphans and vulnerable children
- Sanitation infrastructure
- Vocational training and business development
UK Partnerships:
- Supporting UK churches and charities working with marginalized people
- Connecting faith communities with practical action projects
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations without pre-existing relationships
- Secular organizations
- Projects outside their geographic focus areas
- Unsolicited applications
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Governance and Leadership
Current Leadership: Colin and Cara Medus (from September 2022) - Lead the charity and visit projects, partners, and supporters.
Founders: Dave and Rhi Day - Founded the charity in 2011 when stepping down from church leadership, maintaining relationships dating back to 1985.
Trustees (12 total, all unpaid):
- Ian Gordon Wilson (appointed 2011)
- Lesley McAllister (appointed 2012)
- Elisabeth Anne Sanderson (appointed 2016)
- Paul Joshua Edbrooke (appointed 2021)
- Six additional trustees appointed 2023
The charity emphasizes that “relationships are at the centre of what we do” and maintains partnerships with “mutual respect” toward all partners.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. According to their website: “We only work with people and projects with whom we have an established relationship, and visit them at least once a year.”
- No unsolicited grant applications accepted
- All funding goes to pre-existing partners
- Many relationships extend back over 20 years
- Operates on invitation-only basis
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - funding decisions made through ongoing relationship management rather than formal application processes.
Success Rates
Not applicable - works exclusively with established partners.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - relationship-based funding model.
Application Success Factors
Since The Bridge Trust operates exclusively through pre-existing relationships, traditional application factors don't apply. Their partnership approach emphasizes:
- Long-term commitment: Some partnerships span over 25 years (Indian partners first met in 1985)
- Faith integration: All partners are Christian organizations working to serve marginalized communities
- Local empowerment: Focus on equipping “partners to bring transformation in their communities”
- Hands-on engagement: Annual visits to all partners required
- Measurable impact: Healthcare program in Delhi slums resulted in “significant drop in infant mortality rate”
- Geographic alignment: Must align with established locations (Bristol area, India through Victory Churches, Zambia through Fire Baptised Churches)
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Not open to new applications - Works exclusively with pre-existing relationships, many dating back 20+ years
- Faith-based requirement - All partners are Christian organizations integrating faith with practical action
- Small-scale operation - Annual income under £90,000 with no employees beyond leadership role
- Relationship-driven model - Not transactional grant-making but sustained partnership with annual visits
- Geographic specificity - Limited to established locations: Bristol area, India (VCI network), Zambia (FBC network)
- Long-term view - Emphasis on “long-term transformation” rather than one-off project funding
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- THE FARTHING TRUST
- John Jacob Astor Charitable Trust
- The Watson Family Charitable Trust
- The Beatrice Gilmore Charitable Trust
- AN EXTRA MILE CHARITABLE TRUST
- Brian Murtagh Charitable Trust
- The Rest-Harrow Trust
- ST CLARE AND ST FRANCIS TRUST
- The Payback Time Trust
- Hinchley Charitable Trust
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References
- The Bridge Trust Ltd official website: https://thebridgetrustltd.org/
- The Bridge Trust Ltd - Who We Are: https://thebridgetrustltd.org/about-us/
- The Bridge Trust Ltd - How to Give: https://thebridgetrustltd.org/how-to-give/
- Charity Commission Register: The Bridge Trust Ltd (Charity Number 1142658): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5018288
- Financial information year ending 31 March 2024: Total income £89,887, Total expenditure £104,456 (Charity Commission records)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Bridge Trust Ltd fund?
Grant Programs The Bridge Trust operates a relationship-based grant-making model rather than formal programs: Ongoing support for established partner organizations One-off grants for specific needs Project-specific funding (e. g.
How much funding does The Bridge Trust Ltd provide?
The Bridge Trust Ltd provides grants ranging from Various (from £5/month to project-specific amounts), with total annual giving of approximately £104,456.
How do I contact The Bridge Trust Ltd?
Website: www. thebridgetrustltd.
Is The Bridge Trust Ltd a registered charity?
Yes, The Bridge Trust Ltd is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1142658).
How do I apply to The Bridge Trust Ltd?
The Bridge Trust Ltd operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. They typically identify and approach charities they wish to support directly.
Where is The Bridge Trust Ltd based?
The Bridge Trust Ltd is based in Bristol.