The E W Gladstone Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £81,800 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Trustee discretion - no fixed timeline
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Not specified (family has historical ties to Hawarden/Chester area)

Contact Details

Phone: 01244 520210

Charity Commission Record: View official registration

Note: No website or email address publicly available

Overview

THE E W GLADSTONE CHARITABLE TRUST is a private family charitable trust established in 1970, operating with three trustees to support general charitable purposes with particular emphasis on charities in which the Gladstone family have an interest. Despite modest annual income of £2,780, the trust distributed £81,800 in grants during 2023, indicating it draws from capital reserves to maintain its charitable mission.

The Gladstone family has historical connections to the Hawarden and Chester area on the Welsh-English border, stemming from William Ewart Gladstone, the Victorian Prime Minister. The family's charitable legacy includes founding Gladstone's Library in Hawarden. The trust operates as a private foundation, making grants through trustee discretion rather than open applications, focusing on organizations within the family's established sphere of interest.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs. All grants (totaling £81,800 in 2023) are made at trustee discretion to charities aligned with family interests.

Priority Areas

• General charitable purposes
• Charities in which the Gladstone family have an interest
• Likely areas include heritage, education, libraries, and local charities in the Chester/Hawarden region

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Expeditions
• Non-charitable organizations

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by three trustees who make all grant decisions. As a private family trust, trustees likely include members or associates of the Gladstone family familiar with the family's charitable interests and maintaining relationships with supported organizations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of trustees to organizations already known to the Gladstone family. The trust's stated focus on “charities in which the Gladstone family have an interest” indicates grants go to organizations with existing relationships rather than through unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without scheduled review cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to absence of formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Organizations receiving funding from THE E W GLADSTONE CHARITABLE TRUST typically demonstrate:

• Existing relationships with the Gladstone family or trustees
• Geographic connection to the Hawarden, Chester, and North Wales/Cheshire border area
• Alignment with family values including education, libraries, public service, and cultural heritage
• Registered charity status - the trust only supports registered charitable organizations
• Proven track record - trustees favor established organizations over new initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an appropriate funder for cold applications - the trust operates privately for charities within the family's sphere of interest
• Substantial grants continue (£81,800 in 2023) despite modest income, showing ongoing commitment
• Only telephone contact available - no email or application portal exists
• Focus on building genuine long-term relationships rather than immediate funding requests
• Geographic proximity to Chester/Hawarden area may be advantageous
• Only established charitable organizations should consider this trust - individuals and expeditions explicitly excluded

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• S Sterling Charitable Trust
• The Elaine and Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust
• The Moorview Charitable Trust
• The Hotspur Trust
• THE HAWERBY TRUST
• The Wyfold Charitable Trust
• The Earle and Stuart Charitable Trust
• ACACIA CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE P A R CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Haley Family Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - THE E W GLADSTONE CHARITABLE TRUST Register Entry (Charity No. 260417). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/260417 (Accessed: March 2025)
• Charity Commission Financial Data for year ending 5 April 2023
• Historical context regarding Gladstone family connections to Hawarden and Chester area from public historical records