The David And Frances Turner Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £95,672 (2024/25)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000 (typical)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK-based with some international reach
• Charity Number: 1109630
• Founded: 2005

Contact Details

Address: 1 Village Close, Belsize Lane, London, NW3 5AH

Phone: 020 7794 1542

Website: Not available

Email: Not available

Note: The trust does not appear to have a public website or email contact. Contact should be made via the telephone number provided.

Overview

The David and Frances Turner Charitable Trust was registered as a charity in May 2005. The trust operates as a private grant-making foundation focused on relieving financial need among the public, with particular emphasis on children and young people who are sick or have mental or physical disabilities. The trust also supports individuals disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances. With annual expenditure of approximately £95,672 (financial year ending March 2025), the trust makes grants across a diverse range of charitable causes including health, arts and culture, education, overseas aid, amateur sport, and economic development. The trust is managed by four trustees who receive no remuneration for their service.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single discretionary grant programme where trustees determine funding allocations based on applications and their own initiative. Grants typically range from £1,000 to £5,000, with larger grants potentially available for regular beneficiaries and capital projects once financial viability is established.

Priority Areas

The trust supports charitable organizations working in the following areas:

• Children and young people: Particularly those who are sick or have mental or physical disabilities
• Health: Advancement of health and saving lives
• Relief of poverty: Financial need among disadvantaged individuals
• Arts and culture: Arts, culture, heritage, and science initiatives
• Education and training: Educational programmes and training opportunities
• Overseas aid: Humanitarian relief and famine relief
• Amateur sport: Supporting grassroots sports initiatives
• Economic development: Community development and employment programmes
• Religious activities: Supporting religious charitable work

Examples of Past Grant Recipients

Organizations that have reportedly received funding from the trust include:

• The European Baromedical Association
• EPTA-European Piano Teachers Association
• The World Federation for Neuro-Rehabilitation
• Clowns Without Borders UK
• SOS Kit Aid Ltd

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, as a trust focused on charitable purposes through registered organizations, it is unlikely to fund:

• Individuals directly (grants are made to charitable organizations)
• Non-charitable purposes
• Political activities or lobbying

Ready to write a winning application for The David And Frances Turner Charitable Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by four trustees:

• Mr David Turner (Co-founder)
• Mrs Frances Lesley Turner (Co-founder)
• Mr Anthony Joseph Cotton
• One additional unnamed trustee

Mr David Turner is an active company director based at the trust's address in Belsize Village, London, with extensive business experience including multiple current and past directorships.

None of the trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, demonstrating their commitment to directing maximum resources toward charitable purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process or website.

Grant-making decisions appear to be made at the trustees' discretion, which may include:

• Proactive identification of organizations by trustees
• Consideration of unsolicited written applications sent by post
• Recommendations from trustees' networks and professional contacts

Organizations interested in applying should consider sending a written proposal to the trust's address including:

• A clear description of the organization and its charitable purposes
• Specific project or general support needs
• Budget and financial information
• Alignment with the trust's priority areas (particularly children, health, disability)
• Registered charity number and recent accounts

Given the absence of a formal application process, applications should be concise, professionally presented, and clearly demonstrate alignment with the trust's charitable objects.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a small private trust with trustee-led decision making, the process may be less formal than larger grant-making foundations. Organizations should allow several months for consideration and follow up if no response is received within 3-4 months.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The trust's expenditure patterns show significant variation year-to-year (ranging from £11,100 to £95,672 in recent years), suggesting discretionary grant-making based on available funds and trustee priorities rather than a formal application cycle.

Reapplication Policy

No information is available regarding reapplication policies. However, the mention of “regular beneficiaries” in available documentation suggests the trust maintains ongoing relationships with some organizations and may provide repeat funding.

Application Success Factors

While specific guidance from the trust is not publicly available, organizations seeking funding should consider:

• Strong alignment with core mission: The trust's founding purpose emphasizes children and young people with health challenges or disabilities. Applications demonstrating impact in these areas are likely to resonate with trustees.

• Financial need and efficiency: The trust's purpose includes “relief of financial need” - demonstrating both the need for funding and efficient use of resources will be important.

• Diverse charitable causes: Past grant recipients span a wide range from medical associations to arts education to humanitarian relief, suggesting trustees are open to varied approaches to achieving charitable impact.

• Established organizations: All identified past recipients are established organizations with specific expertise, suggesting the trust favors funding through credible intermediaries rather than start-ups.

• Clear charitable impact: With limited resources and no professional staff, trustees likely favor proposals with clear, measurable charitable outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a small, private trust with no public application process - unsolicited proposals should be sent by post with realistic expectations
• Focus on children, young people, health, and disability to align with core charitable objects
• The trust supports a diverse range of causes beyond its primary focus, including arts, education, and international relief
• Typical grants range from £1,000 to £5,000, suitable for small projects or contributions to larger initiatives
• No application deadlines or formal cycles - applications likely considered on a rolling basis
• Building relationships and demonstrating impact may lead to repeat funding as a “regular beneficiary”
• With four trustees and no paid staff, keep proposals concise and emphasize outcomes over process

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4015842
• Charity Commission Beta Service: https://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details?regid=1109630&subid=0
• OpenCharities Database: http://opencharities.org/charities/1109630
• Fundraiso Charity Profile: https://www.fundraiso.com/en/organisations/the-david-and-frances-turner-charitable-trust
• Charity Choice Directory: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-david-and-frances-turner-charitable-trust-49165