The Cpf Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £145,748 (2025)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks post-September deadline
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £3,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide

Contact Details

Website: https://www.thecpftrust.org.uk/

Email: thecpftrust@gmail.com / jcfarrer@gmail.com

Phone: 020 8994 6052

Address: 6 Priory Avenue, Bedford Park, London W4 1TX

Overview

The CPF Trust is a well-established grant-making charity with over 50 years of history, originally founded in 1971 and restructured as a charitable company in 2020. With annual expenditure of approximately £145,000, the trust makes grants ranging from £1,000 to £3,000 to registered UK charities across a broad spectrum of charitable purposes. Operating with a professional board of four trustees led by Dr. Isobel Rachel Pinder, an experienced charity governance specialist, the trust maintains a formal, structured approach to grant-making with strict application windows and absolute trustee discretion over awards. The trust's recent restructuring suggests a modernized approach while maintaining its longstanding commitment to supporting smaller charitable organizations across England, Wales, and Scotland.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Standard Grants: £1,000 - £3,000 (one-year grants only)
• Application method: Electronic applications only, submitted between 1 June - 30 September annually
• Purpose: Revenue or capital costs, project or core funding

Priority Areas

The trust often supports charities working in:

• Arts, culture and heritage
• Education
• Support for carers and older people
• Early intervention projects for disadvantaged children and young people
• Animal welfare
• Health and disability
• Advice services (particularly Citizens Advice organizations)
• Hospices

What They Don't Fund

• Charities with political objectives
• Individual grants or sponsorships
• Applications received outside the June-September window
• Non-UK registered charities

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Dr. Isobel Rachel Pinder - Management consultant specializing in charity governance and strategic development. Previously Chair of Programmes Committee at Cathedral Music Trust, with expertise in charity transformation and modernization.

Trustees:

• Catherine Joan Guthrie - Trust and estates professional at Turcan Connell, Edinburgh
• Jenett Mabella Farrer - Healthcare professional, registered nurse/midwife
• Nicola Laura Jean Guthrie

Trustees exercise absolute discretion over all grant awards with decisions being final. No trustee receives remuneration from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically via email to thecpftrust@gmail.com between 1 June and 30 September only. Applications must not exceed 500 words and should include:

• Charity name and registration number
• Description of charity's work
• Grant amount requested (£1,000-£3,000)
• How the grant will be used and its impact
• Latest annual/impact report
• Latest financial accounts

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed at autumn trustees' meeting (likely October/November)
• Successful applicants notified following the meeting
• No response indicates unsuccessful application
• Total timeframe: 4-8 weeks from September 30 deadline

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The trust does not publish information about application numbers or success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. The trust provides no feedback on unsuccessful applications and maintains a “no explanation” policy.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's structure and priorities:

• Perfect timing is critical: Applications outside June-September are not considered
• Concise applications essential: Maximum 500 words requires exceptional clarity
• Strong financial documentation: Latest accounts and reports must demonstrate good governance
• Realistic grant requests: Stay within the £1,000-£3,000 range
• Clear impact demonstration: With no feedback opportunity, first impressions are final
• Professional presentation: The trust's experienced governance-focused board expects high standards
• Broad charitable purposes welcomed: Trustees' discretion allows flexibility beyond stated priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strict application window: Mark calendars for June 1 - September 30; missing this means waiting another year
• No relationship building: This is a formal, arms-length process with no pre-application contact or site visits
• One shot opportunity: With no feedback and unclear reapplication policies, applications must be perfect first time
• Small grants, quick impact: £1,000-£3,000 range suits specific projects, gap funding, or seed funding rather than major campaigns
• Professional board expects excellence: Dr. Pinder's charity governance expertise suggests high standards for applications
• Silent rejection policy: Budget time for uncertainty as no response means unsuccessful
• Financially healthy funder: Increased 2025 expenditure (27% rise) suggests potentially more grants available

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• MISSES BARRIE CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Cole Charitable Trust
• Three Monkies Trust
• The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust
• The Chillag Family Charitable Trust
• THE ROGER & DOUGLAS TURNER CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Marsh Charitable Trust
• THE ERNEST KLEINWORT CHARITABLE TRUST
• Gatwick Airport Community Trust

References

• The CPF Trust Official Website. https://www.thecpftrust.org.uk/
• Charity Commission Register. THE CPF TRUST - 1191787. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5157727/
• Bath and North East Somerset Council Funding Directory. The CPF Trust. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/funding-finder/cpf-trust
• Companies House. THE CPF TRUST Company Number 12673269. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12673269