The George Cadbury Trust (edward Cadbury Section)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £237,811 (2024/25)
• Annual Income: £288,803 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not disclosed
• Decision Time: Not disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (no defined beneficial area)
• Established: 1924 (registered as charity 1994)

Contact Details

Address: George Cadbury Fund A Account, 2 Snow Hill, Birmingham B4 6GA

Phone: 0121 265 7288

Website: Not maintained

Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The George Cadbury Trust (Edward Cadbury Section) was established in 1924 by the Cadbury family and registered as a charity in 1994. As one of several sections of the George Cadbury Trust, it operates as a private family trust managed by five trustees from the Cadbury family. With annual expenditure of approximately £237,811, the trust specifically supports Quaker charities and organizations and Society of Friends activities throughout England and Wales. The trust reflects the Cadbury family's deep-rooted Quaker values and their historical commitment to philanthropy in Birmingham and beyond. George Cadbury himself gave all his money to charity except what was needed for family upkeep, and in 1903 donated the former Cadbury family home to the Society of Friends as Woodbrooke Quaker Study Center. The trust operates with complete discretionary authority, with trustees determining all grant awards based on their knowledge and judgment rather than through a formal application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates with a single discretionary grant-making approach:

• Quaker and Society of Friends Support: Grant amounts not publicly disclosed, awarded on rolling basis through trustee discretion

Priority Areas

The charitable objects state the trust exists “for the support of Quaker charities and organisations and Society of Friends activities as the Trustees in their discretion think fit.”

Priority areas include:

• Quaker organizations and meeting houses
• Society of Friends activities and programs
• Charitable causes aligned with Quaker values (peace and reconciliation, spirituality, social justice, equality)
• Organizations reflecting Quaker principles of simplicity, equality, justice, peace, and care of the environment

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (grants only to registered charities)
• Non-charitable organizations
• Organizations outside the Quaker and Society of Friends sphere

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 5 trustees from the Cadbury family who serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits. No trustees receive any form of compensation from the charity.

The trust is administered through BDO LLP in Birmingham, reflecting the Cadbury family's historical roots in the city. The Cadbury family were prominent members of the Society of Friends in Birmingham, and alongside other Quaker families (Lloyd, Sturge, Humphrey, Wilson, and Albright), exerted significant influence on the development of Birmingham through their desire to improve the world combined with their business success.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process.

The George Cadbury Trust (Edward Cadbury Section) operates as a private family trust where grants are awarded at the trustees' complete discretion. There is no formal application portal, no published guidelines, and no open call for proposals.

Organizations cannot submit standard applications. Grants typically go to organizations known to the trustees through personal networks and existing relationships within the Quaker community.

Written inquiries may be sent to the registered address at 2 Snow Hill, Birmingham B4 6GA, though there is no guarantee of a response or consideration. The trustees make all grant decisions based on their own knowledge and judgment regarding which Quaker organizations and Society of Friends activities to support.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no formal decision process or timeline exists.

Success Rates

Success rates are not disclosed as there is no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's discretionary nature and focus on Quaker organizations, the following factors may be relevant for organizations seeking to be considered:

Alignment with Quaker Values: The trust exists specifically to support Quaker charities and Society of Friends activities. Organizations must be part of the Quaker movement or closely aligned with Quaker principles including peace and reconciliation, spirituality, simplicity, equality, justice, and care for the environment.

Charitable Registration: The trust makes grants only to registered charities, not to individuals or non-charitable organizations.

Connection to Birmingham: While the trust has no defined beneficial area and operates throughout England and Wales, the Cadbury family's historical roots in Birmingham may influence trustee awareness and connections.

Strong Governance: As a family trust valuing accountability, organizations with strong financial governance and transparent operations may be more attractive to trustees.

Existing Relationships: Given the discretionary nature of the trust, existing relationships within the Cadbury family network or the broader Quaker community are likely important factors in grant awards.

Historical Support: The Cadbury Trusts have been described as “perennial supporters of Quaker organisations and meeting houses,” suggesting ongoing relationships with established Quaker institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications - do not prepare and submit standard grant proposals
• Quaker-Specific Focus: Only Quaker charities and Society of Friends organizations are eligible for consideration
• Trustee Discretion Rules: All grants are awarded based solely on trustee judgment and discretion with no published criteria
• Relationship-Based Giving: Grants appear to flow through existing networks within the Quaker community and Cadbury family connections
• Consider Related Trusts: If you're not a Quaker organization, investigate other Cadbury family trusts that accept public applications, such as the Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust (charity number 1160334)
• Birmingham Connections: The Cadbury family's historical base in Birmingham may influence awareness and consideration
• Registered Charities Only: Organizations must be registered charities - the trust does not support individuals or non-charitable entities

References

• Charity Commission - The George Cadbury Trust (Edward Cadbury Section) -
• Find That Charity - The George Cadbury Trust -
• Hinchilla Funder Directory - The George Cadbury Trust -
• Quakers in the World - George Cadbury -
• Barclay College - The Cadbury Chocolate Family were Quaker Leaders -
• Archives Hub - Records of the Cadbury Trusts -