The Britford Bridge Trust

Charity Number: 1160012

Annual Expenditure: £1.2M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website:thebritfordbridgetrust.org

Phone:+44 (full number not publicly available)

Email:thebritfordbridgetrust@brodies.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £943,500 (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Up to 6 months
  • Grant Range: £10,000 - £50,000
  • Average Grant: £25,000
  • Geographic Focus: National/international (with regional preference for Cambridge, Dorset, and Wolverhampton)
  • Total Grants Made: Over 200 to date

Contact Details

Website: thebritfordbridgetrust.org

Email: thebritfordbridgetrust@brodies.com

Phone: +44 (full number not publicly available)

Registered Address: Brodies LLP, Capital Square, 58 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8BP

Charity Number: 1160012

Overview

The Britford Bridge Trust was established in 2014 by Adrian and Jane Frost to formalise their long-standing charitable support. The Trust operates as a family foundation with a permanent endowment designed to enable giving beyond the current generation. Since its establishment, the Trust has awarded over 200 grants to a wide range of beneficiaries, distributing £943,500 in grants during the year ending April 2022 (compared to £740,064 in 2021). The Trust focuses on supporting education, culture, heritage, science, environmental protection, and relief of those in need, with a preference for organisations working at national or international levels.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants Programme: £10,000 - £50,000 (with higher amounts available in exceptional circumstances)

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly reviews
  • Grants can be made over multiple years for larger awards
  • Average grant size is £25,000

Priority Areas

Primary Charitable Purposes:

  • Prevention or relief of poverty
  • Advancement of education
  • Advancement of health or the saving of lives
  • Advancement of the arts, culture, heritage, or science

Secondary Charitable Purposes:

  • Advancement of citizenship or community development
  • Advancement of amateur sport
  • Advancement of environmental protection or improvement
  • Relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, or other disadvantage

Geographic Preferences:

  • National and international projects are preferred
  • Regional consideration given to projects in Cambridge, Dorset, and Wolverhampton

What They Don't Fund

  • Medical research or projects related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and care of cancer and other malignant diseases (already fully committed through separate family arrangements)
  • African causes through established NGOs (funded separately by the family)
  • Overseas charities (must be UK registered charities, though they can work overseas)
  • Projects without national or international relevance (unless in priority geographic areas)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Adrian Charles Frost (Chair) - Investment Manager, appointed 2014
  • Dr Margaret Jane MacDougall - Trustee
  • Brodies & Co. (Trustees) Limited - Corporate Trustee

The Trust was founded by Adrian and Jane Frost to create a structured approach to their philanthropic activities. The trustees personally review shortlisted applications, reflecting a hands-on approach to grant-making decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Download the application form from the Trust's website (thebritfordbridgetrust.org)
  • Look for the blue 'Apply Now' box in the bottom right or top right corner
  • Submit completed applications by email to thebritfordbridgetrust@brodies.com
  • Applications accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed quarterly with cut-off dates: 30 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December
  • Trustees personally review shortlisted applications
  • Decision timeframe: Up to 6 months from submission
  • If no response within 6 months, the application should be considered unsuccessful
  • Trustees do not notify or provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust has made over 200 grants since establishment in 2014, suggesting a selective but active grant-making approach.

Reapplication Policy

  • No formal waiting period specified for reapplications
  • However, the Trust advises that “if successive applications are unsuccessful, this is a strong indication that the trust is not supportive”
  • No feedback provided on unsuccessful applications
  • Applicants may resubmit in subsequent quarters if aligned with Trust priorities

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors:

  • National/International Relevance: The Trust strongly favours projects with broader impact beyond local communities (unless in Cambridge, Dorset, or Wolverhampton)
  • Strategic Fit: Applications should clearly align with the Trust's primary charitable purposes (education, arts/culture/heritage/science, health/saving lives, poverty relief)
  • Grant Size Appropriateness: Applications should generally be between £10,000 and £50,000; make a strong case if requesting amounts outside this range

Application Best Practices:

  • Clearly demonstrate national or international reach/impact
  • Be specific about how the grant will advance one or more of the Trust's priority areas
  • Ensure the application is complete and submitted by the quarterly deadline
  • Do not expect feedback or notification if unsuccessful - plan accordingly
  • Avoid applying if your work falls within excluded areas (cancer research, African NGOs)

Important Considerations:

  • The trustees personally review applications, suggesting they value clear, compelling cases that demonstrate impact
  • The Trust operates with a long-term vision (permanent endowment), indicating preference for sustainable projects
  • With an average grant of £25,000, the Trust tends toward mid-range awards in their stated bracket

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the right amount: Applications around £25,000 (the average) appear most typical; be prepared to justify requests outside the £10,000-£50,000 range
  • Emphasise national/international impact: Unless you're in Cambridge, Dorset, or Wolverhampton, local or regional-only projects are unlikely to succeed
  • Plan for silence: No feedback or rejection notices are provided; wait 6 months maximum before considering the application unsuccessful
  • Time your submission: Submit well before quarterly deadlines (30 March, 30 June, 30 September, 31 December) to ensure inclusion in that quarter's review
  • Be clear on exclusions: Don't waste time applying if your work involves cancer research or African NGO causes
  • Consider the family foundation ethos: This is a personal, trustee-driven grant-maker; applications should be clear, concise, and demonstrate genuine alignment with stated priorities
  • Understand the review process: Trustees personally review shortlisted applications, suggesting that getting past the initial screening is crucial

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References