The Charlotte Bonham-carter Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 292839

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £165,000
  • Success Rate: Not disclosed
  • Decision Time: Up to 3 months (applications reviewed twice yearly)
  • Grant Range: Not disclosed (prefers smaller charities)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Hampshire, with limited exceptions for children/youth charities
  • Annual Income Limit: Will not support charities over £1m

Contact Details

Website: www.charlottebonhamcartercharitabletrust.org.uk

Email: admin@charlottebonhamcartercharitabletrust.org.uk

Phone: 01508 571230

Administrator: Mrs Jenny Cannon, Norwich

Overview

The Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust was established in 1985 to honour the legacy of Lady Charlotte Bonham-Carter (1893-1989), a distinguished British arts patron and founding member of the Ballet Rambert. The Trust supports charitable organisations at the discretion of the Trustees, particularly those which would have appealed to Lady Charlotte or are within Hampshire. With total income of £195,368 and expenditure of £166,858 in the year ending April 2024, the Trust focuses on smaller charities where their funding can make a meaningful impact. Lady Charlotte's lifelong passion for the arts, public service, and her extensive involvement in cultural organisations—from serving at the 1919 Versailles Peace Conference to remaining on the Ballet Rambert board for nearly 50 years—continues to guide the Trust's funding priorities today.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single discretionary grant programme reviewed twice annually. Specific grant amounts are not disclosed, but the Trust explicitly states it prefers supporting smaller charities where funding can make a significant difference rather than major capital appeals.

Application Method: Rolling basis with fixed decision dates (applications close 1st January and 1st September, with decisions made in March and October meetings)

Priority Areas

The Trustees principally support organisations and projects which were of particular interest to Lady Charlotte Bonham-Carter:

  • The Arts: Including performing arts, visual arts, and arts education (as exemplified by support for Rambert, City & Guilds of London Art School, and National Manuscripts Conservation Trust)
  • Cultural Projects: Heritage preservation and projects of cultural significance
  • Countryside Preservation: Conservation and environmental initiatives
  • Support for Young Carers: Services and programmes supporting young people with caring responsibilities
  • Support for Older People: Projects benefiting elderly populations
  • Early Intervention Projects: Programmes for disadvantaged children and young people

Geographic Preference: Strong preference for organisations working within Hampshire. Applications for children and young people's charities outside Hampshire will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

What They Don't Fund

  • Charities with annual income over £1 million
  • Major capital appeals where their grant would not make a major difference
  • Charities holding substantial funds in reserve
  • Charities with religious or political objectives
  • Scouts, Girl Guides, or similar groups
  • Animal charities
  • Large medical research charities
  • Applications by or for individuals
  • Sponsorship for individuals raising funds on behalf of charities
  • Non-UK registered charities
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Georgina Nayler MBE (Chair) - Appointed 2008, also serves as trustee for London Historic Buildings Trust Ltd and The Charles Causley Trust
  • David Bonham-Carter
  • Eliza Bonham Carter
  • Jessie Grimond

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring that virtually all expenditure goes directly to grant-making.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by post (not email) and include:

  • What the charity does
  • The purpose of the application
  • Details of the funds required
  • Funds raised so far
  • Timescale involved
  1. A completed Application Covering Sheet (available from the Trust's website)
  1. Copy of latest accounts

Postal Address: Applications should be sent to Mrs Jenny Cannon (contact via details provided on website)

Important: The Trust only accepts applications from UK registered charities and charitable organisations.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadlines: 1st January and 1st September
  • Trustee Meetings: March and October
  • Decision Notification: By end of March or end of October (successful applicants only)
  • Late Applications: Will be held over for the following meeting

Total Timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from deadline to notification

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, applicants should note:

  • Only successful applicants are notified
  • No feedback or explanation is provided for unsuccessful applications
  • If you do not hear by the end of March or October, your application was unsuccessful

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not publish a specific reapplication policy. Given that unsuccessful applicants receive no feedback, organisations may wish to carefully review their eligibility and alignment with the Trust's priorities before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's published guidance and priorities, the following factors appear critical:

1. Demonstrate Small-Charity Impact

The Trust explicitly states it prefers “to support smaller charities, where their funding can make an impact, rather than those holding substantial funds in reserve.” Applicants should clearly show how the grant would make a meaningful difference to their organisation and beneficiaries, particularly if they are a smaller organisation with limited reserves.

2. Hampshire Connection

Strong preference for Hampshire-based work. If applying from outside Hampshire, you must make an exceptionally compelling case for a children/young people's charity, as these are the only out-of-area applications considered “in exceptional circumstances.”

3. Alignment with Lady Charlotte's Interests

The Trust honours Lady Charlotte Bonham-Carter's legacy. Understanding her background—founding member of Ballet Rambert, arts patron, public servant—can help frame applications. Projects in performing arts, cultural heritage, and arts education particularly resonate with her documented passions.

4. Clear Financial Case

Applications must detail “the funds required, the funds raised so far and the timescale involved.” Be specific about your funding gap and demonstrate fundraising effort. The restriction against “major capital appeals where their grant would not make a major difference” suggests they want to see their contribution will be meaningful, not a small drop in a large bucket.

5. Avoid Reserve-Rich Organisations

The Trust explicitly states it won't support charities “holding substantial funds in reserve.” Ensure your accounts demonstrate need and that reserves are at appropriate levels for your organisation's size and risk profile.

6. UK Registered Charities Only

Only UK registered charities and charitable organisations are eligible—ensure your charity registration is clearly stated.

Examples of Funded Organisations:

  • National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (heritage/conservation)
  • Rambert (performing arts/dance)
  • City & Guilds of London Art School (arts education)

These examples demonstrate the Trust's continued support for arts, heritage, and cultural education—all areas that reflect Lady Charlotte's documented interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Size matters: This Trust actively prefers smaller charities. If your annual income exceeds £1m, do not apply. If you hold substantial reserves, you're likely ineligible.
  • Hampshire-centric: Unless you're a children/young people's charity with an exceptional case, Hampshire location or work is effectively essential.
  • Legacy alignment: Understanding Lady Charlotte Bonham-Carter's biography (arts patron, Ballet Rambert founder, public servant, countryside advocate) helps position applications effectively.
  • No feedback means strategic decisions: Since unsuccessful applicants receive no notification or feedback, ensure your eligibility is crystal clear before applying.
  • Postal applications only: Despite having email contact details, applications must be submitted by post with the required covering sheet—plan accordingly for deadlines.
  • Long timelines: With only two decision points annually, factor in 2-3 months minimum from deadline to decision, potentially 6+ months if you miss a deadline.
  • Capital appeals face high bar: Major capital projects are discouraged unless the Trust's contribution would be genuinely transformative—smaller, project-specific requests likely fare better.

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