The Harding Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £183,508 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly available
- Geographic Focus: Staffordshire and surrounding areas
Contact Details
Address: Horton House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool L2 3YL
Phone: 0151 600 3000
Email: Jordan.Sewrey@brabners.com
Administrator: Brabners LLP (Solicitors)
Note: The trust does not have a website or public-facing online presence
Overview
The Harding Trust was registered as a charity on 26 April 1989 and operates as a grant-making trust supporting music education and appreciation in Staffordshire and surrounding areas. With annual expenditure of approximately £183,508 (2024), the trust sponsors and supports public concerts, recitals and performances by both amateur and professional musical organisations. The trust is governed by a deed dated 14 April 1989, amended by resolution on 7 November 1989 and supplemental deed dated 4 May 2001. The trust operates through Brabners LLP solicitors in Liverpool, with four trustees overseeing grant decisions. While primarily focused on music, the trustees may apply up to 20% of income for other charitable purposes at their discretion.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The trust operates a single grant-making programme focused on music education and performance, with grants distributed to organisations rather than individuals.
Music Education and Performance Support
- Amount: Not publicly disclosed
- Focus: Public concerts, recitals and performances by amateur and professional organisations
- Application method: No public application process
Priority Areas
Music Education and Appreciation
- Sponsoring public concerts in Staffordshire and surrounding areas
- Supporting recitals and musical performances
- Promoting public education in the art and science of music
- Supporting both amateur and professional musical organisations
- Helping other charities and voluntary bodies in the arts/culture/heritage/science sectors
Other Charitable Purposes (up to 20% of income)
- Trustees have discretion to support other charitable objects and purposes beyond music
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Based on the trust's objectives, it can be inferred that the trust focuses on organisational support rather than individual musicians, and prioritises work in Staffordshire and surrounding areas.
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Governance and Leadership
The Harding Trust is governed by four trustees who receive no remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity:
- Geoffrey George Wall - Trustee
- John Paul Claude Fowell - Trustee
- Michael Norman Lloyd - Trustee
- Richard David Platt - Trustee
The trust is administered by Brabners LLP, a Liverpool-based law firm with expertise in trust administration and charity law. Brabners maintains offices at Horton House in Liverpool and has a strong track record supporting charitable trusts and foundations across the North West.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. The Harding Trust operates as a private grant-making trust where funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees. There is no website, application portal, or published application guidelines.
Grants appear to be awarded through trustee knowledge of organisations, invitations, or relationships developed within the Staffordshire music community. The trust makes grants to organisations (not individuals) working in music education and performance.
Organisations interested in being considered for funding would need to contact the trust administrators directly via:
- Email: Jordan.Sewrey@brabners.com
- Phone: 0151 600 3000
Decision Timeline
Decision timelines are not publicly available. As a private trust operating without published deadlines, decisions are likely made at trustee meetings throughout the year.
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly available as the trust does not publish data on applications received versus grants awarded.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly documented. Organisations would need to contact the trust administrators directly to understand reapplication possibilities.
Application Success Factors
Given the limited public information available about The Harding Trust, success factors must be inferred from the trust's stated objectives and structure:
Geographic Alignment is Critical
The trust's deed specifically focuses on Staffordshire and surrounding areas. Organisations based in or serving this region will be best positioned for consideration.
Organisational Status Required
The trust makes grants to organisations, not individuals. Amateur and professional musical organisations including orchestras, choirs, concert societies, and music education charities are the intended beneficiaries.
Public Benefit Emphasis
The trust's purpose emphasises “public education in and appreciation of music” through “public concerts, recitals and performances.” Projects that bring music to public audiences in Staffordshire will align with this mission.
Relationship-Based Funding
Without a public application process, funding appears relationship-driven. Trustees may identify beneficiaries through their own knowledge of the Staffordshire music sector, recommendations from trusted sources, or existing relationships with organisations.
Professional Administration
The trust is administered by Brabners LLP, a respected law firm. Any approach should be professional and clearly articulate how the organisation's work aligns with the trust's specific charitable objectives.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process exists - this trust operates through trustee discretion and relationships rather than open calls for proposals
- Geographic focus is paramount - work must be in or benefit Staffordshire and surrounding areas
- Organisational grants only - individuals are not eligible; amateur and professional music organisations are the target beneficiaries
- Music performance and education are core - concerts, recitals and performances that promote public appreciation of music are central to the mission
- Initial contact should be exploratory - reach out to Jordan.Sewrey@brabners.com to introduce your organisation and gauge potential interest before submitting a formal proposal
- Trustees have discretion for non-music work - up to 20% of income can support other charitable purposes, though music remains the primary focus
- Limited public accountability - with minimal public reporting, it's unclear which organisations have been funded or what grant sizes are typical
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register: “THE HARDING TRUST - 328182”, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/328182
- Charity Commission Financial Data for year ending 05 April 2024: Total income £185,392, Total expenditure £183,508
- Charity Commission “What, who, how, where” page: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/328182/what-who-how-where
- Governing Document: Trust deed dated 14 April 1989, amended by resolution 7 November 1989 and supplemental deed 4 May 2001
- Brabners LLP: https://www.brabners.com/ (Trust administrators)