The Charterhouse Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £73,253 (2024)
• Grant Range: Estimated £5,000 - £10,000
• Number of Grants: 10 grants annually
• Geographic Focus: London boroughs on City of London perimeter (particularly City of London and Southwark)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed

Contact Details

Address: 6th Floor, Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TQ

Phone: 020 7334 5322

Email: irina.watson@charterhouse.co.uk

Website: None

Overview

The Charterhouse Charitable Trust was founded in 1954 (trust deed dated 5 February 1954) and registered as a charity on 1 October 1962. Previously known as “The Charterhouse J Rothschild Group Charitable Trust,” the trust has evolved through several amendments over the decades (1963, 1984, 1986, 1991, and 2001). The trust operates as a grant-making charity with a focused mission to support organizations serving disadvantaged young people, particularly those providing mentoring and educational opportunities in London boroughs surrounding the City of London. With an income of £56,813 and expenditure of £78,023 in the financial year ending June 2024, the trust makes selective grants totaling approximately £73,000 annually to around 10 charitable organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant-making program focused on general charitable purposes with emphasis on education and training. Grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion following due diligence.

Typical Grant Size: Based on known examples, grants typically range from £5,000 to £10,000, though exact ranges are not publicly specified.

Application Method: No public application process; contact directly via email or phone.

Priority Areas

The trust has clearly articulated funding priorities:

• Young People: Strong focus on charities supporting children and young people
• Educational Support: Programs providing tutoring, mentoring, and educational opportunities
• Disadvantaged Backgrounds: Organizations working with young people from deprived or disadvantaged circumstances
• Geographic Focus: Charities serving London boroughs on the City of London perimeter, with particular emphasis on City of London and Southwark

According to Tom Patrick, Chairman of the Board of Trustees: “Our Trust looks to support charities which help young people with a bias towards charities which provide mentoring or educational support.”

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the trust:

• Makes grants only to registered charitable organizations
• Does not support individuals
• Focuses geographically on London boroughs near the City of London

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust has three trustees appointed by Charterhouse Development Capital Limited, which vests the power to nominate trustees. All trustees are professionally qualified individuals who participate in continuing professional development. No trustees receive remuneration or reimbursement of expenses.

Current Trustees:

• Nancy Sandhu (Appointed 15 August 2025)
• Mirja Kiva Weidner (Appointed 28 August 2020) - Former member of Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP
• Thomas Spencer Patrick (Appointed 26 July 2013, Chairman)

The trust must maintain between two and four trustees at any given time.

Grant-Making Process

Trustees evaluate all applications received and conduct satisfactory due diligence before making grants. The trustees also conduct beneficiaries and trustees screening as part of their approval process. Post year-end 2024, £51,500 in donations were approved by trustees and paid following completion of requisite screening.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. There is no website, online portal, or published application guidelines. The trust evaluates applications received directly, suggesting that organizations interested in funding should contact the trust via email or phone to inquire about their current funding priorities and whether their organization aligns with the trust's mission.

Contact Irina Watson at irina.watson@charterhouse.co.uk or call 020 7334 5322 to discuss potential funding opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Based on the annual report structure, trustees appear to make funding decisions throughout the year rather than at fixed intervals, with some grants approved post year-end following due diligence completion.

Success Rates

The trust receives applications and made 10 grants in 2024 (11 in 2023). Success rates and total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. However, the trust's support of The Access Project demonstrates they are willing to provide repeat funding to organizations, having supported them three times since 2017 with cumulative donations of £25,000.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented funding patterns and priorities:

Strong Alignment Indicators:

• Programs providing mentoring or educational support to young people
• Organizations working in City of London, Southwark, or neighboring London boroughs
• Clear focus on disadvantaged or deprived young people
• Measurable educational outcomes (The Access Project example: student improved GCSE Maths by two grades)

Funding Example: The Access Project has received £25,000 cumulatively since 2017, including a £5,000 grant in 2022, demonstrating the trust's commitment to organizations providing tutoring and mentoring to disadvantaged youth accessing higher education.

Key Considerations:

• The trust makes grants “where the donation could make a difference,” suggesting they favor smaller organizations where their contribution has meaningful impact
• Due diligence and screening processes are thorough, including beneficiaries and trustees checks
• The trust values long-term partnerships, evidenced by repeat funding to aligned organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity matters: Focus your application on work within City of London, Southwark, or immediately adjacent London boroughs
• Youth and education are paramount: The trust has an explicit bias toward charities helping young people through mentoring and educational support
• No public process means relationship building: Without a website or formal application process, direct contact via email or phone is essential
• Demonstrate impact potential: Frame requests around how the grant will “make a difference” for disadvantaged young people
• Evidence of educational outcomes strengthens applications: Show measurable results (grades improved, access to higher education, etc.)
• The trust values continuity: Successful grantees may receive repeat funding if impact is demonstrated
• Small to medium grants: With 10 grants totaling £73,253, expect individual grants in the £5,000-£10,000 range rather than large awards

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Charterhouse Charitable Trust (210894), Full Print. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/210894/full-print (Accessed 29 December 2025)

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Charterhouse Charitable Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=/accounts-resource (Accessed 29 December 2025)

• The Access Project. “Charterhouse Charitable Trust once again supports The Access Project.” 21 March 2022. https://theaccessproject.org.uk/2022/03/21/charterhouse-charitable-trust-once-again-supports-the-access-project/ (Accessed 29 December 2025)

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Charterhouse Charitable Trust Trustees. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/210894/trustees (Accessed 29 December 2025)