The Burden Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £198,071 (year ending 31 March 2024)
• Total Income: £181,049 (year ending 31 March 2024)
• Grant Range: Less than £5,000 - £20,000
• Decision Time: Applications by 31st March, decisions in June (approximately 3 months)
• Geographic Focus: Bristol (strong preference), occasionally other parts of England
• Application Deadline: 31st March annually

Contact Details

Website: www.burdentrustbristol.co.uk

Charity Number: 235859

Overview

The Burden Trust is one of Bristol's oldest grant-making trusts, established shortly before the First World War through the will of Reverend Harold Nelson Burden (1859-1930). The Trust is a non-fundraising charity that distributes funds generated through investment income rather than active fundraising. With an annual expenditure of approximately £198,000, the Trust maintains an overall adherence to the tenets and principles of the Church of England, reflecting Reverend Burden's original vision. The Trust was formally incorporated as the National Institutions for Persons Requiring Care and Control in 1914, and adopted its current name following a scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 11th December 1956. The Trust emphasises building relationships with funded organisations and ensuring that projects can be effectively sustained for the future.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• One-off Grants: Grants of various amounts, from less than £5,000 to up to £20,000, dependent upon the nature of the charitable activity and the need
• Application Method: Annual cycle - online applications with a deadline of 31st March for June trustee meeting

Priority Areas

The Trust provides grants to registered charities primarily in Bristol but occasionally in other parts of England working in:

• Homes and Care for Young People: Supporting residential and care facilities for vulnerable youth
• Hospitals: Healthcare institutions and related services
• Medical Research: Research projects advancing medical knowledge
• People in Need: General charitable work supporting vulnerable populations
• Retirement Homes: Facilities and services for elderly residents
• Schools and Training Institutions: Educational establishments and training programmes

The Trust particularly favours grant applications from local charitable organisations whose work and objectives fall within the overall objects of the Trust and are broadly in line with the tenets and principles of the Church of England.

Examples of Funded Organisations

• inHope (Bristol charity addressing homelessness, hunger, addiction, and poor mental health)
• Wheels Project (motor vehicle-based education programmes for disadvantaged young people aged 14-18 in Bristol, Bath, and South Gloucestershire)
• Bristol Hospitality Network
• Changing Tunes

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Applications from outside Bristol that do not adhere to specific application form requests (far less likely to be considered)

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 7 trustees who serve without remuneration or benefits. The Trust employs no staff with benefits exceeding £60,000, maintaining a lean governance structure consistent with its non-fundraising model.

The Trust's charitable objectives are described as “broad and its resources limited,” requiring trustees to make strategic decisions about funding allocation at their annual June meeting.

How to Apply to The Burden Trust

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online application form available at www.burdentrustbristol.co.uk.

Important: Applications must strictly adhere to the specific requests on the online application form. Applications from outside the Bristol area and those which do not follow form requirements are far less likely to be considered.

Decision Timeline

• Deadline: 31st March each year
• Trustee Meeting: June annually
• Follow-up: If trustees wish to pursue an application, the secretary will request additional information before the June meeting
• Notification: Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted
• Approximate Timeline: 3 months from deadline to decision

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust's limited resources (approximately £198,000 annual expenditure) and broad objectives suggest a competitive process.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

The Trust explicitly favours organisations that demonstrate:

• Geographic proximity: Strong preference for Bristol-based charities
• Church of England alignment: Work broadly in line with Church of England tenets and principles
• Sustainability focus: The trustees “prefer to build a relationship with the organisation concerned and always look to see how best any project that is funded can be effectively sustained for the future”

Application Quality

Given the strict adherence required to the online application form, applications must be:

• Concise: Clear, compelling descriptions
• Complete: All required documentation must be included
• Compliant: Strict adherence to form requirements is essential

Historical Context

Reverend Harold Nelson Burden's founding vision was shaped by his work as chaplain at Horfield Prison in Bristol and his subsequent work with the Church of England Temperance Society, Police Court and Prison Gate Mission. This historical context suggests the Trust values work addressing:

• Social welfare for vulnerable populations
• Practical support addressing immediate needs
• Institutions providing care and structure

Examples of Successful Projects

Organisations that have received funding include:

• inHope: Bristol charity addressing homelessness, hunger, addiction, and poor mental health
• Wheels Project: Motor vehicle-based education programmes for disadvantaged and disaffected teenagers (14-18 years) in Bristol, Bath, and South Gloucestershire, helping young people re-engage with education
• Bristol Hospitality Network: Supporting vulnerable populations
• Changing Tunes: Charitable work in the region

These examples suggest the Trust values practical, skills-based interventions that address disadvantage and support vulnerable young people and adults toward positive outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Bristol focus is critical: The Trust has a “strong preference” for Bristol-based charities; applications from outside Bristol are “far less likely to be considered”
• Plan for the annual cycle: With only one meeting per year in June, timing is essential - miss the 31st March deadline and you wait another year
• Build for sustainability: Trustees specifically look for how funded projects “can be effectively sustained for the future” - demonstrate long-term viability
• Align with Church of England values: While not exclusively religious, the Trust maintains “overall adherence to the tenets and principles of the Church of England” - consider how your mission aligns
• Perfect your form: With strict requirements and no contact for unsuccessful applicants, your initial application must be compelling, complete, and compliant
• No news is bad news: Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted, so silence after June indicates rejection
• Demonstrate relationship potential: The Trust “prefer[s] to build a relationship with the organisation concerned” - position your organisation as a partner, not just a one-time recipient

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust
• The Nisbet Trust
• The Pople Charitable Trust
• Spielman Charitable Trust
• The Merchant Venturers Charity
• The Temple Ecclesiastical Charity
• The Portishead Nautical Trust
• The Ralph And Irma Sperring Charity
• John James Bristol Foundation
• The Eveson Trust

References

• The Burden Trust website -
• The Burden Trust - Apply page - Application process and requirements -
• The Burden Trust - History page - Founding and values -
• Charity Commission - The Burden Trust - Financial information and governance -
• Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Burden Trust Grants - Grant information and examples -
• Harold Nelson Burden - Wikipedia - Biographical information -
• The Wheels Project website - Example of funded organisation -
• inHope Bristol website - Example of funded organisation -