The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1197205

Annual Expenditure: £2.0M
Geographic Focus: Scotland, Throughout England

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??1,954,409 (2024)
  • Success Rate: 60%
  • Decision Time: 8-15 weeks (Medium/Large grants), 60 days (Small grants)
  • Grant Range: Up to ??20,000+ (Small: up to ??10,000; Medium: ??10,001-??20,000; Large: ??20,001+)
  • Geographic Focus: Sussex (UK) and International (wildlife conservation, reproductive health)

Contact Details

Website: www.ekct.org.uk

Email: grants@ekct.org.uk (also admin@ekct.org.uk)

Phone: 7539701577 (also +44 7960 057742)

Grants Officer: Andrina Murrell

Director: Sally Case

Overview

The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust was founded on 12th March 1963 by Ernest and Joan Kleinwort to formalize their philanthropic interests. Since 1978, the Trust has awarded ??57.4 million in grants. Ernest Kleinwort was a partner and former Chairman of the banking house Kleinwort, Sons & Co., and received the Commander of the Order of the Golden Ark in 1974 for his services to nature conservation. He played vital roles in the formative years of both the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

The Trust's mission is to “make a difference” in two core areas: supporting people in need in Sussex and conservation of wildlife worldwide. In 2024, the Trust awarded grants totaling ??1,954,409 to 204 charities (from 340 applications). The Trust operates as an independent family trust funded entirely by investment returns, with no fundraising activities. Strategic priorities for 2024-25 allocate 64% of grants to Sussex projects, 25% to conservation work, and 2% to reproductive health work, with total planned grants of ??2.03 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (up to ??10,000)

  • Rolling applications accepted at any time
  • Decision within 60 days of application submission
  • Suitable for start-up costs, core costs, project funding (capital or operational), or unrestricted funding

Medium Grants (??10,001 - ??20,000)

  • Applications accepted online four times per year
  • Decision within 8-12 weeks of receipt
  • For established projects within funding priorities

Large Grants (over ??20,001)

  • Applications accepted online twice per year
  • Decision within 12-15 weeks of receipt
  • Typically awarded to charities with whom trustees have developed a deep understanding and close relationship over several years
  • First-time large grant applicants should contact the Director before applying

Priority Areas

Sussex-Based Charities

  • Care of the elderly
  • Disability support
  • General welfare
  • Hospices
  • Youth programs
  • Wildlife & environmental conservation in Sussex

International Wildlife & Environmental Conservation

  • UK-based or international projects
  • Strong historical association with WWF
  • Focus on biodiversity and habitat protection

Reproductive Health

  • International family planning projects in Africa or Asia
  • Must have clear and intended impact on the environment

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals or charities applying on behalf of individuals
  • Large national charities with substantial fundraising potential
  • Organizations primarily funded by statutory sources
  • Charities registered for less than one year
  • Pre-school groups
  • Animal rescue or welfare organizations (distinct from conservation)
  • Medical research
  • Arts projects
  • Local authorities
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs)
  • Charities raising funds for others with substantial reserves
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Governance and Leadership

Board Composition: The board comprises members of the Kleinwort family and independent trustees invited to bring breadth of interests, skills, and experience.

Current Leadership:

Mark Tyndall - Chairman (appointed November 2023)

Former Founder and Senior Partner of Artemis Investment Management LLP until 2015. Mark is the fourth Chairman since inception, following Patrick Pery (6th Earl of Limerick), Sir Simon Robertson, and Lord Chandos.

Sally Case - Director (appointed 2016)

Called to the Bar in 1996 and practiced as a barrister in Brighton. Sally leads the Trust's grant-making operations.

Sir Richard Kleinwort - Trustee (appointed 1987)

Currently serving the West Sussex Lieutenancy as Vice Lord Lieutenant. Sir Richard was High Sheriff in 2008/9.

Nikki Glover - Trustee (appointed 2024)

Resident of Sussex for 35 years and Trustee of the Albert Van den Bergh Charitable Trust since 2012.

Andrina Murrell - Grants Officer

Primary contact for grant applications and inquiries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Complete the Eligibility Questionnaire on the EKCT website (ekct.org.uk)
  2. Use online application forms only - applications by post or email are not accepted
  3. Download required templates: Budget Template Form and Other Funders Form from the website
  4. Submit via the online portal during the relevant application window

Important: Only one application per organization is accepted within a 12-month period from the date of the last application.

Decision Timeline

  • Small Grants: 60 days from application submission
  • Medium Grants: 8-12 weeks from receipt
  • Large Grants: 12-15 weeks from receipt

Applicants will be notified of the application status within these timescales.

Success Rates

  • 2024: 340 applications received, 204 supported (60% success rate)
  • 2023: 323 applications received, 184 supported (57% success rate)

These success rates are notably high compared to many charitable trusts, indicating a relatively favorable acceptance rate for eligible applications that align with the Trust's priorities.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can reapply after 12 months from the date of their last application. However, the Trust notes that “only in limited cases will the trustees communicate the reason an application has not been supported.”

Application Success Factors

What Trustees Look For:

The trustees must be satisfied with:

  • The charity's purpose and objectives
  • Ability to deliver superior service
  • Management quality
  • Efficiency and financial stability
  • Income/expense ratio

Strategic Alignment:

Given the Trust's mission to “make a difference,” applications should clearly demonstrate:

  • For Sussex projects: Direct impact on vulnerable populations or communities in need
  • For conservation projects: Tangible outcomes for wildlife protection and environmental conservation, particularly given the founders' legacy with WWF and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
  • For reproductive health projects: Clear environmental impact alongside health benefits in Africa or Asia

Building Relationships for Larger Grants:

The Trust explicitly states that large grants are “typically agreed when trustees have a deep understanding, and close relationship, with the charity which has been developed over a number of years.” Organizations should consider:

  • Starting with smaller grants to establish a relationship
  • Demonstrating consistent delivery and impact
  • Maintaining regular communication with the Trust
  • Contacting the Director before applying for first-time large grants

Application Quality:

  • Use the required templates (Budget and Other Funders forms)
  • Complete the eligibility questionnaire thoroughly
  • Demonstrate financial stability and efficient operations
  • Show clear outcomes and impact measurement
  • Avoid organizations wholly reliant on statutory funding

Unrestricted Funding Consideration:

Unrestricted funding may be considered only if all of the charity's activities fall within EKCT's funding remit.

Registration Requirements:

Organizations must be registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales) or Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator for at least one year before applying.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Exceptional success rate: At 60%, EKCT has one of the highest success rates among charitable trusts, but this requires strong alignment with their three specific funding areas
  • Relationship-based for larger grants: Start small and build a relationship over time if seeking grants over ??20,000
  • Fast decisions for small grants: 60-day turnaround for small grants makes this an excellent option for urgent funding needs up to ??10,000
  • Sussex connection is valuable: With 64% of funding allocated to Sussex projects, organizations with clear Sussex ties or beneficiaries should emphasize this strongly
  • Conservation heritage matters: The founders' deep connection to WWF and wetlands conservation suggests projects aligned with these areas may resonate particularly well
  • Application precision is essential: With only one application allowed per 12 months and no feedback typically given on rejections, ensure your application is thoroughly prepared and aligned
  • Environmental impact for health projects: Reproductive health projects must clearly articulate environmental benefits, not just health outcomes

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