The Burden Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £198,071 (2023-24)
• Total Income: £181,049 (2023-24)
• Grant Range: Under £5,000 - £20,000
• Decision Time: Applications by 31st March, decisions in June (approx. 3 months)
• Geographic Focus: Bristol (strong preference), occasionally other parts of England
• Application Deadline: 31st March annually

Contact Details

Website: www.burdentrustbristol.co.uk

Email: p.oconor@netgates.co.uk / info@burdentrustbristol.co.uk

Phone: 0117 962 8611

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 after the NHS Act (1948). The Trust emphasizes building relationships with funded organizations and ensuring that projects can be effectively sustained for the future.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• One-off Grants: Under £5,000 - £20,000 (amounts vary depending on the nature of the charitable activity and the need)
• Application Method: Annual cycle - online applications accepted throughout the year, 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 programs

The Trust particularly favors grant applications from local charitable organizations 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 Organizations

• inHope (Bristol charity for homeless and vulnerable people)
• Wheels Project (motor vehicle-based education for disadvantaged young people aged 14-18)
• 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.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online application form available at www.burdentrustbristol.co.uk. The form is a 3-step process requiring:

Step 1: Organization Details

• Charity name and address
• Website information
• Contact person details (name, title, phone, email)

Step 2: Grant Request

• Grant amount requested
• Application category (medical research, hospitals, retirement homes, schools, youth services, or other charitable work)
• Description of your organization (500 character limit)
• Description of proposal (500 character limit)

Step 3: Supporting Documentation

• Audited accounts
• Details of trustee/management board members

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 favors organizations 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 and the limited character counts (500 characters for organization description and proposal), applications must be:

• Concise: Clear, compelling descriptions within tight word limits
• Complete: All required documentation (audited accounts, trustee details) 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, where he was moved by “the shocking conditions then existing in the homes of prisoners and the drunkenness of some of their wives.” 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

Organizations that have received funding include:

• inHope: Bristol charity addressing homelessness, hunger, addiction, and poor mental health
• Wheels Project: Motor vehicle-based education programs for disadvantaged and disaffected teenagers (14-18 years) in Bristol, Bath, and South Gloucestershire, achieving 83% of Year 11 students enrolling in further education colleges
• 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 500-character limits 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 organization as a partner, not just a one-time recipient

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 organization -
• inHope Bristol website - Example of funded organization -