The Duke Of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £239,684 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycles
• Grant Range: Under £1,000 - £78,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Cornwall, operates throughout England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: 10 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LA

Phone: 020 7834 7346

Secretary: Terry Cotter

Website: No website

Applications for grants should be made in writing to the Foundation's secretary.

Overview

Established in 1975 by Prince Charles (now King Charles III), The Duke of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation (also known as The Duke of Cornwall's Benevolent Fund) was created to benefit communities in the South West of England. With total funds of approximately £276,692 as of June 2024, the Foundation made 44 grants totalling £239,684 during the financial year ending June 30, 2024. The Foundation's primary funding source comes from net proceeds of Cornwall bona vacantia—ownerless property from those who die without wills or identifiable heirs in Cornwall. The Foundation's primary activity is making donations to charities appropriate to the Duke of Cornwall, with a strong emphasis on supporting registered charities based primarily in Cornwall.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates on a quarterly review cycle, with applications considered at the end of each quarter (March, June, September, December). Grants range from under £1,000 to £78,000, with an average grant of approximately £5,400 based on 2024 figures.

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports charities working in the following areas:

• Relief of persons in need: Those suffering from poverty, sickness, age, or other adversity, including victims of shipwreck
• Healthcare facilities: Almshouses, homes of rest, hospitals, and convalescent homes
• Education and learning: Including institutions focused on the diffusion of knowledge
• The arts: Advancement and promotion of artistic endeavors
• Religion: Advancement of religious activities
• Heritage preservation: Conservation of lands and buildings of beauty or historic interest
• Environmental conservation: Protection of lands of ecological or scientific importance
• Recreational amenities: Public access to recreational facilities

Recent Grant Examples

• Cornwall Emergency Appeal: £100,000 donation to help people struggling from the effects of the coronavirus crisis
• Kernow Carers Service: £3,000 to allocate small grants to carers for respite breaks
• Young carers support: Individual awards including £560 for educational equipment
• The Hugs Foundation: Grant awarded for children and young people's well-being work

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's focus on Cornwall-based registered charities suggests limited support for:

• Organizations outside Cornwall (though England and Wales applications are considered)
• Non-registered charities or individuals
• Projects outside their stated charitable objectives

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by 6 trustees and supported by 2 volunteers. No trustees receive remuneration or payments for their services. The charity has no employees earning over £60,000 and maintains a lean operational structure.

Secretary: Terry Cotter oversees grant applications and administrative functions from the London office.

The Foundation operates as a straightforward grant-making organization with financial practices that closely match income with expenditure through charitable distributions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications for grants must be made in writing to the Foundation's secretary:

Terry Cotter

The Duke of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation

10 Buckingham Gate

London SW1E 6LA

Important requirements:

• Applications are generally only accepted from registered charities
• Priority is given to charities primarily based in Cornwall
• Applications must be made by an organization for the benefit of recipients (not individual applicants)
• The Foundation does not have a website or online application portal

Decision Timeline

Applications are considered at the end of each quarter:

• March
• June
• September
• December

This quarterly review cycle means applicants may wait up to 3 months from submission to decision, depending on when their application is received relative to the quarterly meeting schedule.

Success Rates

In 2024, the Foundation made 44 grants from total expenditure of £276,332. In 2023, 48 grants were made totalling £158,750. Specific success rates (number of applications received versus grants awarded) are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Given the quarterly review cycle and straightforward application process, unsuccessful applicants should be able to reapply in subsequent quarters, though it would be advisable to contact the secretary for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Geographic focus matters: While the Foundation operates throughout England and Wales, applications are “generally only accepted from registered charities, primarily based in Cornwall.” Cornwall-based organizations appear to have a significant advantage.

Alignment with funding sources: Understanding that the Foundation's income derives from Cornwall bona vacantia—proceeds from ownerless estates—may help frame applications. The Foundation redistributes these resources back to Cornwall communities, particularly those serving vulnerable populations.

Recent funding priorities: Large emergency response grants (such as the £100,000 to the Cornwall Emergency Appeal) demonstrate the Foundation's willingness to make substantial awards for significant community needs, while also supporting smaller grassroots projects with grants under £1,000.

Registered charity status is essential: The Foundation's documented preference for registered charities means unregistered organizations are unlikely to receive funding.

Diverse charitable purposes: The Foundation's broad charitable objectives mean organizations working in heritage, education, healthcare, religion, arts, and social welfare all have potential for support, provided they serve Cornwall communities.

Quarterly planning: With decisions made quarterly, organizations should plan their applications strategically around the March, June, September, and December review cycles.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Cornwall connection is critical: While technically operating across England and Wales, Cornwall-based registered charities are the clear priority
• Registered charity status required: Ensure your organization is registered with the Charity Commission before applying
• Broad eligibility: The Foundation's wide-ranging charitable objectives create opportunities across multiple sectors from heritage to healthcare to education
• Grant size flexibility: Grants range from under £1,000 to £78,000, so both small and large projects can be considered
• Traditional application process: With no website or online portal, prepare a well-crafted written application to submit by post
• Quarterly decision cycles: Plan your application timing around the end-of-quarter review periods (March, June, September, December)
• Emergency response capacity: The £100,000 coronavirus grant demonstrates willingness to make substantial awards for urgent community needs

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE KENNETH & SUSAN GREEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• The Graham Kirkham Foundation
• SEDEL - COLLINGS FOUNDATION
• THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• KHOO TECK PUAT UK FOUNDATION
• David Pearlman Charitable Foundation
• The Alchemy Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register. "The Duke of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation - Charity 269183.". https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/269183
• Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. "The Duke of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation.". https://cornwallvsf.org/supporting/funding/the-duke-of-cornwalls-charitable-foundation/
• Find that Charity. "GB-CHC-269183 | The Duke of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation.". https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-269183
• Cornwall Community Foundation. "Kernow Carers Service awarded grant by The Duke of Cornwall's Benevolent Fund.". https://cornwallcommunityfoundation.com/community-stories/kernow-carers-services-awarded-grant-by-the-duke-of-cornwalls-benevolent-fund/
• Duchy of Cornwall. "The Duke of Cornwall's Benevolent Fund Supports Cornwall's Coronavirus Recovery.". https://duchyofcornwall.org/news/benevolent-fund-donation-coronavirus-recovery/
• Heirs & Successes. “Bona Vacantia, Benevolence and the Duchy of Cornwall.” January 31, 2020. https://heirsandsuccesses.com/2020/01/31/bona-vacantia-benevolence-and-the-duchy-of-cornwall/