The Brothers Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £503,189 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (applications reviewed on rolling basis)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £110,000
• Geographic Focus: International (UK, USA, Kenya, Thailand, and other countries worldwide)

Contact Details

Website: www.thebrotherstrust.org

Phone: 020 3649 1665

Email: info@brotherstrust.org

Address: C/o Sa Ledgers Ltd, 57 Canbury Park Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6LQ

The Brothers Trust accepts both unsolicited applications and proactively identifies funding needs.

Overview

The Brothers Trust was established in 2017 by Nikki and Dominic Holland, parents of actor Tom Holland and his brothers Sam, Harry, and Paddy. Registered as UK charity 1172675, the organization leverages Tom Holland's celebrity reach to raise funds through events, merchandise sales, philanthropic partnerships, and corporate sponsorships. With £621,794 in income for 2023-24 and charitable expenditure of £503,189, the Trust operates with exceptional efficiency—98.5% of funds raised go directly to grants, as the organization is run entirely by volunteers with no paid trustees. The charity's mission is to “shine a light on and help charities who struggle to be heard in the noisy not-for-profit sector,” focusing on smaller organizations that demonstrate effective use of funds to benefit vulnerable populations globally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Brothers Trust operates on a rolling basis with both proactive identification of needs and consideration of unsolicited applications. Recent grants have ranged from:

• Small grants: £1,000 - £10,000 for grassroots organizations
• Medium grants: £10,000 - £30,000 for established charities
• Major grants: £30,000 - £110,000 for significant projects or multi-year support

The Trust distributes grants in both GBP and USD, reflecting its international scope.

Priority Areas

The Brothers Trust supports charities under three main pillars:

1. Health

• Medical research (rare diseases, muscular dystrophy, epidermolysis bullosa)
• Children with serious illnesses and their families
• Mental health support for young people
• Dental care access for underserved populations
• Dementia care programs

2. Education

• School supplies and uniforms for children in poverty
• Literacy programs for disadvantaged children
• Educational support in developing countries
• Arts education and creativity programs

3. Social

• Support for women and children fleeing violence
• Anti-trafficking initiatives
• Prison family connection programs
• Employment programs for vulnerable populations
• Emergency relief and humanitarian aid
• Support for elderly populations
• Disability services and adaptive equipment

The Trust particularly focuses on:

• Small-scale organizations often overshadowed by larger charities
• Charities serving populations in developing countries (Kenya, Thailand, India)
• Organizations demonstrating tangible, measurable impact
• Charities that struggle to attract publicity due to size or “less fashionable” causes

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly stated, the Trust's focus on charities that “demonstrate need and tangible impact” suggests they avoid:

• Organizations unable to show clear outcomes
• Large, well-funded charities with established donor bases
• Projects without measurable benefit to vulnerable populations

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (9 members)

Family Trustees:

• Dominic Holland - Comedian, author, and Tom Holland's father; co-founder with day-to-day involvement in operations
• Nikki Holland - Photographer and Tom Holland's mother; co-founder who leads operational management with small volunteer team

Professional Trustees:

• Greg Cook - 34-year career in technology within financial institutions; expertise in program management, organizational structures, risk management
• Janine Cook - Retired VP and board member of IBM with 35+ years managing innovation, change, and transformation
• Andrea Coates - 30-year career as global lawyer with American Express; joined board 2022; brings management and international legal expertise
• Lena Koay Vauhkonen - Chartered Accountant, Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland; experience as auditor, management accountant, investment banker, and Finance Director
• Alex Mans - Founder & CEO of FLYR; expertise in revenue optimization for airline and hospitality sectors
• Richard Fuchs - Retired PwC partner (37 years); international transaction and accounting expertise; serves as Chairman of Catholic Charities of Dallas endowment fund
• Jean Fuchs - AT&T executive overseeing Financial Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management; 20 years finance leadership experience internationally

Key Quote from the Trust:

“Our mission is to shine a light on and to help charities who struggle to be heard in the noisy not-for-profit sector, supporting muscular charities who can demonstrate the most effective use of our funds to benefit the people most in need.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Brothers Trust states it “identifies needs itself and considers unsolicited applications for funds.” However, specific application procedures, forms, or requirements are not publicly detailed on their website.

Application Methods:

• Email: Contact info@brotherstrust.org to express interest
• Phone: 020 3649 1665

Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate:

• Clear evidence of need
• Tangible, measurable impact of proposed work
• Effective use of resources
• Support for vulnerable populations
• How they struggle to be heard in the crowded charity sector

Decision Timeline

Specific timeframes from submission to decision are not publicly disclosed. The Trust appears to review applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit policy on reapplication is stated. However, the Trust has provided multi-year support to several organizations (Momentum, Story Book Dads, Mama Biashara, stem4, Debra), suggesting successful grantees can receive ongoing support.

Application Success Factors

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on analysis of funded organizations from 2020-2024:

1. Demonstrate Tangible Impact

The Trust consistently funds organizations that can show concrete, measurable outcomes. For example:

• Mama Biashara: Specific numbers of women and children rescued (700-800 women with average of 2 children each)
• Momentum: Exact positions funded (3 Support Care Workers, family support worker roles)
• Arts 4 Dementia: Precise deliverables (training 25 artists)

2. Small to Medium-Sized Organizations

The Trust explicitly aims to support charities that “struggle to be heard.” Review of grants shows preference for organizations with specific, focused missions rather than large established charities.

3. Direct Service Delivery

Funded projects provide direct services to beneficiaries: medical treatment, educational materials, counseling sessions, adaptive equipment, respite care. Administrative or capacity-building projects are less evident.

4. Vulnerable Populations

Strong track record of funding work with:

• Children with serious illnesses or disabilities
• Prisoners and their families
• Women and children fleeing violence
• People in extreme poverty
• Individuals with rare diseases
• Young people with mental health challenges

5. International Development

Significant funding goes to organizations working in developing countries, particularly Kenya. The Trust values work that leverages donations for maximum effect in regions where costs are lower and needs are greater.

6. Efficient Operations

The Trust's own operational philosophy (98.5% of funds to grants) suggests they value efficiency. Organizations should demonstrate low overhead and maximum impact per pound spent.

Recent Funding Examples

• P.E.A.K: £45,000 startup grant for new organization supporting families with autistic children
• Cure EB: £50,000 for cell & gene therapy research for rare skin condition
• Momentum: Multiple grants totaling over £200,000 across several years for family support workers
• stem4: £97,500 total funding over multiple years for teen mental health apps and education
• The Lunchbowl Network: Multiple grants for school uniforms and supplies in Kibera slum, Kenya

Red Flags to Avoid

• Inability to demonstrate measurable outcomes
• Large organizational overhead or administrative costs
• Vague descriptions of impact
• Well-funded causes that already receive significant attention
• Lack of clarity about how funds will be used

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Focus on Impact Metrics: Include specific, quantifiable outcomes in your application. State exactly how many people will be served, what services will be delivered, and how you'll measure success.

1. Emphasize Your Unique Position: Clearly articulate why your organization struggles to be heard and why traditional funders may overlook your work. The Trust specifically seeks organizations in this position.

1. Demonstrate Efficiency: Show how you maximize every pound donated. The Trust operates at 98.5% program efficiency and likely values this in grantees.

1. Consider Multi-Year Relationships: Several organizations have received funding across multiple years. If funded once, deliver excellent results and maintain communication for potential ongoing support.

1. International Work is Valued: Organizations working in developing countries where donations stretch further are strong candidates. Emphasize cost-effectiveness of international programs.

1. Tell Human Stories: Many grant announcements include specific stories of individuals helped. Be prepared to share compelling narratives about your beneficiaries while respecting their privacy.

1. Be Patient and Persistent: The Trust identifies needs proactively and accepts unsolicited applications. If your first approach doesn't succeed, maintained visibility and relationship-building may lead to future opportunities.

References

1. The Brothers Trust Official Website - About Page: https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/about-1
2. The Brothers Trust Official Website - Trustees Page: https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/trustees
3. The Brothers Trust Official Website - Grants 2020: https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/grants-2020
4. The Brothers Trust Official Website - Grants 2021: https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/grants-2021
5. The Brothers Trust Official Website - Grants 2022: https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/grants-2022
6. The Brothers Trust Official Website - Grants 2023-24: https://www.thebrotherstrust.org/grants-23-to-24
7. UK Charity Commission Register - The Brothers Trust (1172675): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1172675
8. Charity Choice Directory - The Brothers Trust: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-brothers-trust-258050
9. "Tom Holland's Charitable Efforts Shine with The Brothers Trust," Smiley Movement: https://smileymovement.org/news/tom-holland
10. “The Brothers Trust And Tom Holland Fight Poverty,” The Borgen Project: https://borgenproject.org/the-brothers-trust/