The Corporation Of Trinity House Of Deptford Strond

Charity Number: 211869

Annual Expenditure: £5.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £5,000,000+
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by grant size; Management Committee reviews with notification as soon as possible; larger grants require Board approval
  • Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (regional) to major grants (national)
  • Geographic Focus: National (UK) with six regional committees

Contact Details

Website: www.trinityhouse.co.uk

Head of Charitable Giving: Vikki Muir

  • Email: victoria.muir@trinityhouse.co.uk
  • Phone: 0207 481 6903

Address: Trinity House, Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DH

Pre-application support: First-time applicants are encouraged to contact Vikki Muir for an informal chat before applying. She is happy to visit organizations either in person or virtually via Zoom prior to application submission.

Overview

The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond was founded in 1514 by Royal Charter granted by Henry VIII. Today, Trinity House Maritime Charity is the UK's largest endowed maritime charity, dispersing over £5 million annually to meet its charitable objectives. The charity is committed to the education, safety, support and welfare of mariners and their dependants. Beyond grant-making, Trinity House provides 18 almshouses in Walmer, Kent for retired mariners, sponsors cadets through the Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme (contributing £68,000 per cadet over three years), and maintains lighthouse operations as the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. The charity's funding is primarily derived from rental incomes from property estates including Trinity Village in Borough, London, and a working farm at Goxhill in Lincolnshire. Trinity House spent approximately £12.3 million in furtherance of its charitable objectives in the financial year ending March 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

National Grants Programme

  • Major grants available for projects closely aligned with charitable objectives
  • Applications considered by Management Committee initially
  • Larger requests proceed to THMC Board for final approval after Management Committee consideration
  • Core group of approximately 20 charities receive annual support
  • Application form required (no individual proposals accepted)
  • Next committee consideration: January 2026 (application deadline: 18 December 2025)

Regional Grants

  • Six Regional Grants Committees covering different areas of the UK
  • Award small grants to local charities and organizations
  • Up to £5,000 maximum (varies by region; Plymouth area example)
  • Priority for organizations with turnover under £250,000 (may consider up to £500,000)
  • Applications considered by each Committee individually
  • Contact Vikki Muir to be directed to the correct regional committee

Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme

  • £68,000 per cadet over 3-year training program
  • Trinity House contributes £17,000 directly per cadet
  • Scholarships normally 3-4 years duration for Deck or Engineer Officer qualification
  • Worcester Merchant Navy Cadetship Scheme sponsors at least 2 cadets annually

RYA Yachtmaster Scholarship

  • £30,000 annual funding available
  • For candidates pursuing careers on small commercial vessels

Priority Areas

Trinity House welcomes applications from charities and organizations whose work aligns with these objectives:

  • Support and Welfare: Provision and maintenance of almshouses and annuities for retired mariners and their dependants
  • Education and Training: Advancing education and training of officers, cadets and seamen (including grants and bursaries)
  • Public Education: Assisting schools and other institutions providing maritime education
  • Relief of Need: Supporting mariners and former mariners of all ranks, and their families
  • Waterborne Activities: Organizations delivering waterborne activities with clear pathway to maritime career
  • Safety at Sea: Promoting safety of shipping and public safety

What They Don't Fund

  • Capital Build Projects: Trustees do not support capital building projects, though they will consider major grants for projects or organizations that align closely with charitable objectives
  • Individual Proposals: All applications must be submitted on the official application form; individual proposals are not accepted
  • Non-Maritime Organizations: Applications must demonstrate clear alignment with maritime charitable objectives and support of seafarers
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Governance and Leadership

Master of the Corporation: Anne, Princess Royal (honorary title)

Deputy Master and Chief Executive: Rear-Admiral Iain Lower (succeeded Captain Ian McNaught in 2024)

Head of Charitable Giving: Vikki Muir

Court: 31 Elder Brethren elected to form the Court, which oversees the Corporate Board and Lighthouse Board

Lighthouse Board: Curtis Juman joined as Non-Executive Director in February 2024, chairing the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

Leadership Perspective

According to Vikki Muir, Grants Manager: “It is important to me that Trinity House is seen as an approachable and friendly charity. I am always happy to talk through potential applications and give constructive feedback to give all applicants the best chance possible in submitting a successful application.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. First-Time Applicants: Contact Vikki Muir for an informal chat to introduce yourself, your organization and proposal. If it fits within charitable objectives, she will arrange a visit (in person or via Zoom) before you submit an application.
  1. Application Form: All applications must be submitted on the latest version of the official application form, available on request. Individual proposals will not be accepted.
  1. Pre-Application Discussion: Contact Vikki Muir at 0207 481 6903 or victoria.muir@trinityhouse.co.uk
  1. Regional Applications: Contact Vikki first to be directed to the correct regional committee

Decision Timeline

  • Management Committee Review: All grants initially considered by Management Committee
  • Smaller Grants: Decision can often be made at Management Committee level; applicants notified as soon as possible
  • Larger Grants: After Management Committee approval, proceed to THMC Board for final approval; applicants kept informed of timescales
  • Regional Committees: Each of six regional committees considers applications individually

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the charity provides guidelines to help applicants establish eligibility and ensure applications meet charitable objectives, enabling them to have the greatest chance of success.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy or waiting period is publicly documented. First-time applicants are encouraged to seek pre-application guidance from Vikki Muir. Trinity House emphasizes clear and timely communications with grant applicants and recipients, aligning with Maritime Charities Group (MCG) Funding Principles.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

  • Pre-Application Engagement: “If you have not applied before, you should contact Vikki for an informal chat to introduce yourself, your organisation and your proposal.”
  • Clear Outcomes Required: MCG members (including Trinity House) “give priority to funding applications that clearly demonstrate need and are supported by good quality evidence and clear outcomes for beneficiaries.”
  • Waterborne Activities: Organizations delivering waterborne activities “would be expected to outline the same information as those applying to the main Committee in regards to qualifications and a clear pathway to a maritime career.”

Recently Funded Projects

Regional Grants Examples:

  • Felixstowe Coast Patrol & Rescue: Funding for volunteer first aid training for independent lifeboat operators
  • All Aboard Watersports (Bristol): Grant to run programme equipping young people from disadvantaged communities with RYA qualifications
  • Pioneer Sailing Trust (Essex): Support for staff training programme providing maritime learning opportunities for young people
  • CatZero Humber: Supporting people of all ages including young people, families in crisis, and Forces veterans using a 72-foot Challenge yacht

National Grants Examples:

  • Care For Veterans: Support for physiotherapy for seafaring residents with brain injuries or neurological disorders
  • Royal Institute of Navigation: Development of electronic navigation booklet for small craft
  • Seafarers Hospital Society & SeaFit Programme: Mobile health and dental services to quaysides across UK, equipment maintenance costs
  • Fishermen's Mission: Emergency grants during COVID-19 for hardship grants, mental health support, and food vouchers

Key Terminology and Language

  • Emphasize maritime connection and pathways to maritime careers
  • Demonstrate support for seafarers and their dependants
  • Reference education, safety, support and welfare objectives
  • For training programs, show clear qualifications and career outcomes
  • Highlight evidence-based need and clear outcomes for beneficiaries

Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate Maritime Alignment: Show clear connection to mariners, maritime education, or safety at sea
  2. Provide Evidence: Support applications with quality evidence of need and clear, measurable outcomes
  3. Build Relationships: Take advantage of pre-application support; Trinity House values being approachable and friendly
  4. Regional Opportunities: Consider regional committees for smaller grants with local impact
  5. Collaboration: Reference alignment with Maritime Charities Group funding principles where relevant
  6. Career Pathways: For youth programs, demonstrate clear pathways to maritime careers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application engagement is highly encouraged: Contact Vikki Muir before applying, especially for first-time applicants; she offers constructive feedback and site visits to maximize success chances.
  • Maritime focus is non-negotiable: All applications must demonstrate clear alignment with maritime charitable objectives and support of seafarers or their dependants.
  • Evidence and outcomes matter: Applications must be supported by good quality evidence and demonstrate clear outcomes for beneficiaries—this is a stated priority.
  • Multiple funding routes exist: Consider both national committee grants for larger requests and regional committees for smaller, locally-focused projects up to £5,000.
  • Build relationships early: Trinity House emphasizes being approachable and friendly; leverage this through informal chats and pre-application discussions.
  • Use the application form: Individual proposals are not accepted; all applications must use the latest official application form available on request.
  • Consider the core group: Trinity House supports approximately 20 charities annually on an ongoing basis, suggesting value in demonstrating long-term alignment with objectives for potential repeat funding.

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