The Gunter Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £106,000 (approx.)
• Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (small grants)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Method: No public application process - invitation/nomination only
• Charity Number: 268346

Contact Details

Address: c/o Forsters LLP, 22 Baker Street, London, W1U 3BW

Phone: 020 7863 8333

Website: None

Note: The trust does not accept unsolicited applications but may be contacted via a letter of introduction.

Overview

The Gunter Charitable Trust (registered charity 268346) is a small grant-making trust that operates throughout England and Wales with an annual expenditure of approximately £106,000. Established as a traditional charitable trust, it focuses on general charitable purposes with particular emphasis on supporting children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, and other charities or voluntary bodies. The trust operates through a unique nomination system rather than an open application process. An Appointing Authority nominates chosen charities to the two trustees on a bi-annual basis, who then consider these nominations and make grant awards accordingly. The trust is administered through the London law firm Forsters LLP.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust provides small grants (typically less than £10,000) to UK registered charities operating both in the UK and overseas.

• Small Grants Programme: Up to £10,000 (distributed through bi-annual nomination process)

Priority Areas

The Charity Commission lists the trust's areas of interest as:

• Children and Young People - Supporting services and programmes benefiting younger generations
• Elderly/Older People - Funding initiatives that help older members of the community
• People with Disabilities - Supporting individuals and organisations working with disabled people
• Other Charities or Voluntary Bodies - Making grants to charitable organisations that align with their purposes

What They Don't Fund

Given the trust's nomination-only approach and lack of detailed published guidelines, specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the trust:

• Does not fund unsolicited applications
• Operates through a selective nomination process
• Focuses on UK registered charities (though grants can be for UK or overseas work)

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by two trustees:

1. James de Cardonnel Findlay - Trustee
2. Richard Geoffrey Worrall - Trustee

Both trustees receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

The trust is administered through Forsters LLP, a leading London law firm with expertise in charities work. Forsters has 6 people practicing in the area of charities and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process.

The Gunter Charitable Trust operates through a unique nomination system:

• An Appointing Authority nominates chosen charities to the trustees on a bi-annual basis (twice per year)
• The trustees then consider these nominated charities and make donation decisions accordingly
• The trustees do not make donations in respect of unsolicited applications

While the trust does not accept direct applications, organisations may contact the trust via a letter of introduction. However, guidance from Bath and North East Somerset Council notes that "the probability of being added to the Trust's grant-making portfolio is thought to be slight."

Getting on Their Radar

Given the trust's nomination-only approach, organisations interested in potential funding might consider:

• Letter of Introduction: The trust has indicated it may be contacted via a formal letter of introduction sent to their address at Forsters LLP. This should be a concise, professional introduction to your organisation and work, rather than a grant application.

• Understanding the Appointing Authority: While the identity of the Appointing Authority is not publicly disclosed, this body plays the crucial role in selecting which charities are presented to the trustees for consideration twice yearly.

• Professional Connections: Given that the trust is administered through a law firm specialising in charities work, maintaining professional standing within the sector and potentially being known to legal advisors in the charity sector could be beneficial.

Decision Timeline

The trust operates on a bi-annual cycle (twice per year) for considering nominations from the Appointing Authority. Specific months or dates for these review periods are not publicly disclosed.

Given the trust's expenditure of approximately £106,000 annually and grants of less than £10,000 each, the trust likely makes between 10-20 grants per year through this bi-annual process.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. However, Bath and North East Somerset Council guidance indicates that the probability of being added to the trust's grant-making portfolio is “thought to be slight,” suggesting a highly selective approach to grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Given that the trust does not accept applications in the traditional sense, there is no formal reapplication policy. Organisations operate through the nomination process only.

Application Success Factors

While the trust does not publish detailed guidance on what makes successful nominations, organisations can increase their potential fit by ensuring:

• Alignment with Core Beneficiaries: The trust has clearly documented interests in children and young people, elderly people, and people with disabilities
• UK Charity Registration: The trust specifies it provides grants to “UK registered charities,” so valid Charity Commission registration is essential
• Modest Funding Requirements: With grants of less than £10,000, the trust targets smaller organisations or specific projects rather than large-scale funding
• Professional Presentation: Given the trust's administration through a major London law firm and its formal nomination process, professional presentation in any correspondence is likely valued
• Realistic Expectations: Understanding and respecting the trust's nomination-only process demonstrates sector awareness and professionalism

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Open Application Process: This trust cannot be directly applied to - it operates entirely through an Appointing Authority nomination system
• Bi-Annual Cycle: Grants are considered twice per year through the nomination process
• Small Grants Focus: With grants under £10,000 and annual giving around £106,000, this is a modest trust making 10-20 small grants annually
• Specific Beneficiaries: Clear focus on children/young people, elderly people, and people with disabilities
• Letter of Introduction Option: While unsolicited applications aren't accepted, a professional letter of introduction is permissible
• Low Probability: Official guidance describes the probability of being added to the portfolio as “slight”

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Hamilton Wallace Trust
• The Rest-Harrow Trust
• John James Underdown Charitable Trust
• Henry and Rebecca Tinsley Charitable Trust
• The Batchworth Trust
• THE K.P LADD CHARITABLE TRUST
• KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST
• Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
• The Ian & Natalie Livingstone Charitable Trust
• The Celia Blakey Charitable Trust

References

1. The Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for The Gunter Charitable Trust (268346). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=268346 []

1. The Charity Commission Register - What, Who, How, Where details for charity 268346. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/268346/what-who-how-where []

1. The Charity Commission Register - Trustee Information for charity 268346. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/268346/trustees []

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Gunter Charitable Trust. Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88084 []

1. Charity Choice - The Gunter Charitable Trust Directory Entry. Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-gunter-charitable-trust-155776 []

1. The Law Society - Forsters LLP Organisation Details. Available at: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/office/453366/forsters-llp []