The David Webster Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £67,000 - £202,000 (varies by year)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Trustee discretion
• Grant Range: Variable - supports both small local and significant national projects
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with emphasis on Hertfordshire

Contact Details

Address: Marshalls, Marshalls Lane, High Cross, Ware, SG11 1AJ

Phone: 01920 462001

Email: Not publicly available

Website: None

Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion only

Overview

The David Webster Charitable Trust, established in 1996 by conservationist David Charles Webster, is a private grant-making trust focused on wildlife habitat conservation and historic building preservation. With annual giving ranging from £67,000 to £202,000, the trust operates without a public application process, making discretionary grants to organizations aligned with its conservation mission. Following the founder's death in 2006, his children Tom Webster and Nikki Thompson continue managing the trust, maintaining his vision of preserving habitats for both wildlife and people. The trust has demonstrated significant commitment to conservation, including supporting the Woodland Trust's acquisition of 90 acres in Bedfordshire for reforestation and facilitating the planting of over 48,500 trees across multiple sites.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through trustee discretion rather than formal programs, but historically supports:

• Conservation land acquisition: Significant grants for purchasing conservation land
• Habitat creation and restoration: Funding for woodland creation and wetland projects
• Wildlife protection: Support for bird and wildlife conservation initiatives
• Historic building preservation: Secondary focus area

Priority Areas

• Wildlife habitat conservation and creation
• Woodland preservation and tree planting initiatives
• Protection of bird habitats and species
• Wetland and nature reserve projects
• Historic building conservation (less documented)

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside conservation and heritage preservation
• Individual grants or personal causes
• General appeals from organizations outside their focus areas
• International projects (focus on England and Wales)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Mr Thomas Walter David Webster (son of founder)
• Mrs Nikola Thompson (daughter of founder)

The trust was founded by David Charles Webster, who established it with a trust deed in November 1995. Following his death in 2006, his children have continued his conservation legacy, maintaining the trust's focus on habitat preservation. The trustees operate with complete discretion in grant-making decisions, as specified in the governing document, making grants “at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees may in their absolute discretion think fit.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded entirely at the trustees' discretion to organizations they identify as aligned with their conservation mission.

Getting on Their Radar

While no specific engagement strategy is documented for this trust, their grant history shows they support:

• Established national conservation organizations they already know (RSPB, National Trust, Woodland Trust)
• Local Hertfordshire conservation organizations, particularly those working near Ware
• Projects with clear, measurable conservation outcomes

Organizations may attempt contact via phone (01920 462001) or postal address, though success is not guaranteed as the trust operates on a fully discretionary basis.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions made at trustee discretion without formal timeline

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented grant history:

• Proven conservation impact: The trust supports organizations with demonstrable conservation outcomes, such as the Woodland Trust's successful land acquisitions
• Local Hertfordshire connection: Strong support for Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust projects at Amwell Wetland and Rye Meads Nature Reserves
• Habitat creation focus: Projects involving tree planting, woodland creation, or habitat restoration align with the founder's vision
• Established credibility: All known recipients are well-established conservation organizations
• Practical outcomes: Preference for tangible projects like land purchase and physical habitat creation over research or advocacy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a discretionary trust with no public application process - relationships and sector reputation are crucial
• Focus areas are very specific: wildlife conservation, woodland creation, and historic building preservation
• The trust makes substantial grants when aligned with their mission, including support for major land acquisitions
• Strong Hertfordshire connection - local conservation organizations in this area may have better prospects
• The trustees continue their father's conservation vision, suggesting consistency in funding priorities
• Annual giving varies significantly (£67,000-£202,000), indicating flexibility for the right projects
• No public fundraising or engagement suggests a preference for quiet, effective conservation work

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• John Jacob Astor Charitable Trust
• Rockcliffe Charitable Trust
• SR & PH Southall Trust
• James Tuttiett Charitable Trust
• The Searle Charitable Trust
• The Hotspur Trust
• The Wyfold Charitable Trust
• The Elaine and Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust
• Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust
• The Anna Rosa Forster Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The David Webster Charitable Trust (Charity Number: 1055111). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1055111..
• Netherfield Lane - The David Webster Charitable Trust Profile. https://www.netherfieldlane.co.uk/the-david-webster-charitable-trust/..
• Find That Charity - Charity 1055111. https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1055111..
• Charity Commission Annual Returns and Accounts 2020-2024..