The Crispin Davis Family Trust

Charity Number: 1150637

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £474,706 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Unknown (invitation/trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: International (operates in 24 countries across Africa, Europe, and the Americas)
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Administrative Contact:

Heartwood Wealth Management

77 Mount Ephraim

Tunbridge Wells

TN4 8BS

Phone: 01892 701801

Email: charities.hwam@handelsbanken.co.uk

Charity Number: 1150637

Overview

The Crispin Davis Family Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 30 January 2013 as a private grant-making trust. The trust operates internationally with a specific focus on relieving hardship among children and young people affected by poverty, lack of education, or illness. With operations spanning 24 countries across Africa, Europe, and the Americas, the trust demonstrates a significant global reach. In the financial year ending April 2024, the trust distributed £474,706 in grants, drawn from an income of £268,867 plus endowment funds. The trust is chaired by Sir Crispin Henry Lamert Davis, former CEO of Reed Elsevier PLC (1999-2009) and Aegis Group PLC (1994-1999), and operates as a family trust with administrative support from Handelsbanken's Heartwood Wealth Management division. The trust operates proactively, identifying beneficiary organizations through trustee research and networks rather than through open applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Crispin Davis Family Trust does not operate formal grant programs with published criteria. Instead, the trust makes discretionary grants to organizations working in their priority areas. Grant amounts and frequencies are not publicly disclosed, though the trust's 2024 annual expenditure of £474,706 indicates substantial grant-making capacity.

Known Recipients:

  • Spark Inside (recent previous funder - supporting rehabilitation and prisoner mentoring)

Priority Areas

The trust focuses exclusively on causes that align with its charitable objective to relieve hardship amongst children and young people worldwide. Specific areas include:

Primary Focus:

  • Children and adolescents facing poverty
  • Educational access and support for young people
  • Health and illness support for children and youth
  • Humanitarian and disaster relief affecting young people

Geographic Priorities:

The trust operates throughout England and Wales and in 23 international countries including:

  • Africa: Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Congo (Democratic Republic), Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal
  • Asia: Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos
  • South America: Brazil, Colombia
  • Europe: France, Switzerland
  • North America: United States

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not published, the trust's charitable objects clearly limit funding to causes directly benefiting children and young people. Organizations working outside these demographics or on causes unrelated to poverty, education, or health would not align with the trust's mission.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Sir Crispin Henry Lamert Davis (Chair)

Sir Crispin served as Chief Executive Officer of Reed Elsevier PLC from 1999 to 2009 and as CEO of Aegis Group PLC from 1994 to 1999. He began his career with Procter & Gamble in 1970, serving for 20 years including as President of the company's US Food Division. He is a Board member and Senior Advisor for CVC Private Equity, a director of Vodafone Group PLC, and has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Whizz-Kidz (2019-2025). He has also served as a trustee for the University of Oxford and the National Trust.

Dr. Julia Anne Davis

Angela Jane Spaid

Caroline Sarah Davis King

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, in accordance with Charity Commission requirements.

Administrative Structure

The trust does not employ staff directly. Administrative and financial management functions are handled by Handelsbanken's Heartwood Wealth Management division in Tunbridge Wells.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Crispin Davis Family Trust does not have a public application process. This is a private family trust that operates on trustee discretion, identifying and selecting beneficiary organizations proactively rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Organizations seeking support from the trust should note that:

  • The trust does not accept open applications or proposals
  • Grants are awarded based on trustee identification and research
  • Funding decisions are made at the discretion of the family trustees
  • The trust identifies organizations through trustee networks, research, and charitable sector connections

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not applicable as the trust does not operate an open application process. Grant-making occurs at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust awards grants proactively rather than through a competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations do not apply directly to this trust.

Application Success Factors

Understanding Private Family Trusts

Private family trusts like The Crispin Davis Family Trust represent a significant portion of UK charitable grant-making but operate differently from foundations with open application processes. These trusts typically:

  • Make funding decisions based on trustees' personal knowledge and networks
  • Identify organizations through sector research, recommendations, and trustee connections
  • Award grants based on alignment with family values and charitable objectives
  • Maintain long-term relationships with core beneficiaries rather than funding many small projects

Alignment Factors

Organizations most likely to receive support from this trust would demonstrate:

Mission Alignment:

  • Clear focus on children and young people facing hardship
  • Work addressing poverty, educational barriers, or health challenges
  • Evidence of impact in one or more of the trust's 24 operating countries
  • Humanitarian or disaster relief work affecting youth populations

Operational Excellence:

  • Strong governance and financial management
  • Demonstrated track record of delivering outcomes for beneficiaries
  • Effective use of charitable funds with measurable impact
  • Transparency in reporting and accountability

Strategic Fit:

  • International reach or work in the trust's priority countries
  • Scalable programs that can benefit from significant grant funding
  • Innovative approaches to addressing youth hardship
  • Potential for long-term partnership rather than one-off funding

Sector Visibility

Organizations supported by the trust are typically those with:

  • Established reputation in the children's or youth sector
  • Recognition through sector networks and charitable directories
  • Connection points to the trust's board members through professional or charitable networks
  • Presence at sector events, conferences, or collaborative initiatives where trustees are active

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No direct application: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are awarded proactively by trustees
  • Focus on visibility: Build your organization's reputation within the children and youth sector where trustees and their networks operate
  • Geographic relevance: Organizations working in the trust's 24 operating countries have stronger natural alignment
  • Trustee connections: Sir Crispin Davis's involvement with organizations like Whizz-Kidz, University of Oxford, and the National Trust suggests the types of networks through which the trust identifies beneficiaries
  • Demonstrated impact: Private family trusts prioritize organizations with proven track records and measurable outcomes
  • Long-term approach: Build relationships over time rather than seeking immediate funding; these trusts often support organizations for multiple years
  • Sector presence: Maintain strong visibility through sector publications, networks, awards, and collaborative initiatives where trustees may encounter your work

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