The Cobalt Trust
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.
Key takeaways
- Its grants are generally only given to registered charities, so an organisation that is not a registered charity should not apply.
- Its stated themes are conservation, poverty relief, education and religion, and it says it is increasing support for conservation locally, nationally and internationally, and for organisations locally and across the wider south-west, although its priority is national and regional.
- It takes applications by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small nonprofit should build a relationship with the trust before making any request.
- Larger regular grants go to organisations the trustees know well or have thoroughly reviewed, while for strategic donations it prefers smaller organisations where its contribution may have greater impact.
- No grant range is stated, so ask what size of grant is realistic before deciding how much to request.
Overview
The Cobalt Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1096342).
The Cobalt Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Its objects are the relief of poverty, the advancement of education and the advancement of religion, along with other charitable purposes anywhere in the world that its trustees may determine. Its stated themes include conservation, poverty relief, education and religion, and its annual giving was £783,222, according to its annual report.
What they fund
Profile based on the charity's Charity Commission register entry and annual report (year to 31 March 2025) only: no website or other web source for the charity was found. Every statement is checked against them. Sources read on 30 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Cobalt Trust’s objects are to relieve poverty, advance education and religion, and support other charitable purposes anywhere in the world. It says it is increasing donations to conservation locally, nationally and internationally, alongside greater support for organisations locally and across the wider south-west. Grants are generally only given to registered charities. A substantial proportion of donations is focused on a small number of larger, regular grants, generally for organisations well known to the trustees or those they have thoroughly reviewed. For strategic donations, the trustees prefer smaller organisations where they believe their contribution will have greater impact.
Themes
- Conservation
- Poverty relief
- Education
- Religion
Geographic Focus
Anywhere in the world. Priority: Nationally; wider south-west region.
What they don't fund
- Organisations that are not registered charities; grants are generally only given to registered charities
How to apply
The charity states that it takes applications by invitation only.
Who can apply:
- Grants are generally only given to registered charities.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- The trustees generally give larger, regular donations to organisations they know well or have thoroughly reviewed.
- For strategic donations, the trustees prefer smaller organisations where they feel their contribution will have greater impact.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
- International
- England
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Cobalt Trust.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 March 2021 | £762,199 | £485,782 | £485,260 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2021 |
| year to 31 March 2022 | £332,612 | £445,491 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2022 |
| year to 31 March 2023 | £377,852 | £475,136 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2023 |
| year to 31 March 2024 | £676,517 | £716,647 | £715,269 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2024 |
| year to 31 March 2025 | £653,625 | £784,317 | £783,222 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
In 2 of the 3 years shown, grants paid exceeded income.
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2021; year to 31 March 2024: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2025: the accounts do not say whether this is grants awarded or paid.
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
- Annual report (year to 31 March 2025)
This profile rests on the charity’s filed accounts and register entry only, so check with the funder directly before applying.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to The Cobalt Trust?
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Contact
- Charity Commission register entryContact details as held by the Charity Commission
Applying to The Cobalt Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Charity Commission register entryContact details as held by the Charity Commission