The Conscience Trust

Charity Number: 1044136

Annual Expenditure: £0.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £7,375 (2024); £147,003 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Registered Address:

Simpkins Edwards LLP

Michael House

Castle Street

EXETER EX4 3LQ

Phone: 01392 211233

Email (via solicitor): JCoombs@simpkinsedwards.co.uk

Alternative Email: MASINGH@MSN.COM

Phone (alternative): 7817646722

Overview

The Conscience Trust is a small grant-making charity established on 29 September 1994 and registered with the Charity Commission on 13 February 1995 (charity number 1044136). The Trust operates under a trust deed that was amended on 8 January 2003. The charity focuses exclusively on providing grants to registered charities and organizations for projects of a horticultural and eco-friendly nature across England and Wales. The Trust is governed by three trustees who receive no remuneration or benefits from the charity. Annual giving varies significantly year-to-year, with £147,003 distributed in 2023 but only £7,375 in 2024, suggesting the Trust operates by drawing down on assets to support selected projects rather than relying on regular income streams.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Conscience Trust operates a single discretionary grant program focused on horticultural and eco-friendly initiatives. Grant amounts and frequency are not publicly disclosed, and all grants are made at the trustees' discretion without a formal application cycle.

Priority Areas

  • Horticulture Projects: Initiatives related to growing plants, gardens, and horticultural education
  • Eco-Friendly/Environmental Projects: Conservation, sustainability, and environmentally beneficial activities
  • Education and Training: Programs related to horticultural or environmental education
  • Environment/Conservation/Heritage: Projects that preserve or enhance the natural environment

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals (grants are only made to registered charities and organizations)
  • Projects outside England and Wales
  • Unsolicited applications from any source
  • Projects outside the horticultural and environmental focus areas
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Governance and Leadership

The Conscience Trust is governed by three trustees who serve without remuneration. The trustees maintain a hands-on approach to grant-making, personally identifying and selecting projects to support rather than responding to applications. Specific names and backgrounds of current trustees are not publicly disclosed. The charity's legal and administrative affairs are managed through Simpkins Edwards LLP, a professional services firm based in Exeter.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Conscience Trust explicitly states that “the Trustees do not make grants in response to unsolicited applications nor to individuals.”

All grants are made at the trustees' discretion, with the trustees proactively identifying projects and organizations they wish to support. The charity operates on an invitation-only basis, meaning organizations cannot apply for funding and must instead be approached by the trustees if selected for support.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as there is no application process or decision timeline for external applicants.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the charity does not accept applications or reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Since The Conscience Trust does not accept applications, there are no success factors for grant writers to consider. Organizations cannot proactively seek funding from this Trust. All grant awards are made entirely at the discretion of the trustees, who identify and select projects on their own initiative.

For organizations working in horticulture and eco-friendly projects in England and Wales, the only possibility would be if the trustees become aware of their work through other means and choose to approach them directly.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This funder cannot be applied to under any circumstances
  • Invitation Only: All grants are awarded at trustee discretion without external solicitation
  • Narrow Focus: Limited exclusively to horticultural and eco-friendly projects
  • Geographic Restriction: Only supports work in England and Wales
  • Registered Organizations Only: Will only fund registered charities and organizations, not individuals
  • Variable Grant-Making: Annual giving fluctuates significantly (£147k in 2023 vs £7k in 2024), suggesting irregular grant cycles
  • Not a Viable Funding Source: For practical purposes, grant writers should not include this funder in funding strategies as there is no pathway to request support

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