The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Trust accepts applications on a rolling basis, so a charity can write at any time to the Trust Administrator at the stated postal address with a project it thinks may interest the Trust.
- Its stated themes include projects involving volunteers, which it prefers to support with seed-corn funding, so a clearly volunteer-led project is the most natural fit.
- It normally favours local applicants in Essex and East London, and Calais is also a stated priority, though the Trust does not say that other areas are excluded.
- Projects should be exceptional and of special relevance or interest to the Trust, and its trustees particularly favour causes with Christian associations, so make any such link clear only if it is real.
- It seldom gives to annual running costs or building refurbishment, so do not lead with either, and as no typical grant size is given, ask the Trust before setting a figure.
Overview
The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 800610).
The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO is a charity registered in England and Wales, set up to make donations to charitable institutions as its trustees think fit. It uses its investment income to maintain its grounds and buildings at Barnards Farm, where the buildings serve as a training and conference centre and meeting place, and the gardens are open to the public and study groups. The balance of its income supports a wide range of good causes, and it has helped fund over 400 projects since its inception. It paid £42,398 in the latest year reported, not counting £28,950 paid to individuals.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The Trust uses its investment income to maintain its grounds and buildings at Barnards Farm. Its buildings are available as a training and conference centre and meeting place for approved charitable organisations and causes, while the gardens are open to the public and study groups. The balance of its income supports a wide range of good causes. It considers applications from charitable institutions and organisations, and from individuals carrying out charitable activities. It normally favours local applicants in Essex and East London, and prefers seed-corn support for projects involving volunteers. Projects are expected to be exceptional and of particular relevance or interest to the Trust. Its annual report also records a preference for causes with Christian associations and support for efforts to relieve suffering among refugees and homeless people around Calais.
Themes
- Projects involving volunteers
Geographic Focus
Priority: Essex; East London; Calais.
What they don't fund
- Seldom donate to annual running costs
- Seldom donate to building refurbishment
How to apply
Contact the Trust Administrator at the stated postal address with a project that may be of interest to the Trust.
Who can apply:
- Charitable institutions and organisations which accord with the objects of the charity as well as individuals carrying out charitable activities.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Projects should be exceptional and of special relevance or interest to the Trust.
- The Trustees particularly favour causes with Christian associations.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- Calais
- Greater London
- Essex
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO.
Grants
The largest grants to organisations in this funder’s latest annual report:
- Mobile Refugee Support£14,400year to 31 December 2024
- LDF Charitable Trust£10,000year to 31 December 2024
- St Francis Parish Church£8,719year to 31 December 2024
- The Children's Society£6,528year to 31 December 2024
Grant examples taken from the funder’s filed accounts. Not included above: 1 grant to individuals; 1 line covering other, unnamed recipients (£2,751).
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2020 | £131,041 | £296,085 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2020 |
| year to 31 December 2021 | £243,963 | £385,486 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £342,161 | £456,296 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £366,888 | £488,874 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £424,460 | £560,007 | £42,398 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2024: grants paid out in the year.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- barnardsfarm.eu/christabella-charitable-trust · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 December 2024)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Unit 6A Ashbrooke Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5SFsource
- barnardsfarm.eu/christabella-charitable-trust
Applying to The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Unit 6A Ashbrooke Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5SFsource
- barnardsfarm.eu/christabella-charitable-trust