The Helen Hamlyn Trust

Charity Number: 1084839

Geographic Focus: India, Italy, Portugal, United States, Throughout England

Stay updated on changes from The Helen Hamlyn Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Data not publicly available (Income: £5.2m in 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - no open applications accepted
  • Decision Time: Not applicable - Trust initiates projects
  • Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (small grants) to multi-million endowments
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international (India, Portugal)

Contact Details

Address: 129 Old Church Street, London SW3 6EB

Email: john.roche@helenhamlyntrust.org

Phone: 020 7351 5057 / 07969 811531

Important Note: The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications from charities or for work which can be funded from other charitable sources.

Overview

Founded in 2001 (established as a 50th birthday gift from publisher Paul Hamlyn to his wife Helen in 1984), The Helen Hamlyn Trust is an independent grant-making trust with income of £5.2 million (year ending March 2024). The Trust's core aim is to initiate and support innovative medium to long-term projects which will effect lasting change and improve quality of life. Under the leadership of Lady Helen Hamlyn CBE, the Trust operates across medicine, arts and culture, education and welfare, healthy ageing, international humanitarian affairs, and heritage and conservation in India. The Trust is currently involved in approximately 32 projects and takes a highly strategic, relationship-driven approach to philanthropy, proactively identifying projects rather than responding to open applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CRITICAL: The Helen Hamlyn Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. The Trust proactively identifies and initiates projects.

  • Small Grants: Up to £10,000 for local and regional charities
  • Major Endowments: Multi-million pound commitments (e.g., £4 million to Bodleian Libraries)
  • Long-term Partnerships: Multi-year support for strategic initiatives

Application Method: Invitation only - the Trust initiates contact with organizations

Priority Areas

Medicine

  • Surgical innovation and medical technology
  • Research centers and academic chairs (e.g., Hamlyn Centre at Imperial College London)

Arts and Culture

  • Music institutions (London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Ballet and Opera)
  • Libraries and archives (British Library, Bodleian Libraries)
  • Design innovation (Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at Royal College of Art)

Heritage and Conservation

  • World Heritage Sites in India (Khajuraho, Jaisalmer Fort, Nagaur Fort)
  • Fort restoration (Reis Magos Fort in Goa, Albarquel Fort in Portugal)
  • Historic building preservation

Education and Welfare

  • Design education and research
  • Youth programs and educational initiatives
  • International cultural exchange

International Humanitarian Affairs

  • Partnerships with organizations like Fordham University's Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs
  • National Trust capacity building (support to INTO - International National Trusts Organisation)

Healthy Ageing

  • Projects supporting quality of life for older adults

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications from any organization
  • Work that can be funded from other charitable sources
  • Projects outside their strategic focus areas
  • Short-term or one-off initiatives without lasting impact potential
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for The Helen Hamlyn Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Chair: Lady Helen Hamlyn CBE - designer and philanthropist who heads the Trust

The Trust is registered as a charitable company (Charity Number 1084839, Company Number 04115082). No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Lady Helen Hamlyn's Philanthropic Philosophy

From interviews, Lady Hamlyn has articulated her approach:

  • “I only buy for a specific building and a specific place” - demonstrating her targeted, purposeful approach
  • “There was no point in me doing it, if nobody else can enjoy it” - emphasizing public benefit and accessibility
  • She is driven by a passion for preserving cultural heritage, particularly historic buildings: “It breaks her heart to see a really wonderful building in a state of disrepair”
  • She seeks projects where meaningful transformation can be achieved and sites can be made accessible to the public

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Helen Hamlyn Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

The Trust operates through:

  1. Proactive project identification by Lady Hamlyn and Trust leadership
  2. Long-term relationship building with leading organizations and individuals
  3. Strategic connections between organizations to introduce new ideas
  4. Invitation-based partnerships

Organizations are selected based on strategic alignment with the Trust's vision and potential for lasting impact.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the Trust initiates projects rather than responding to applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no open application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Considering Engagement

While you cannot apply directly, understanding what attracts the Trust's attention may be valuable:

Strategic Alignment

  • Projects must align with one of the Trust's core focus areas (medicine, arts and culture, heritage conservation, education, healthy ageing, international humanitarian affairs)
  • Strong emphasis on projects in India and Portugal
  • Focus on innovation and lasting change

Project Characteristics the Trust Seeks

  • Medium to long-term initiatives (not short-term projects)
  • Potential for lasting change and improved quality of life
  • Public benefit and accessibility
  • Heritage preservation and cultural significance
  • Innovation and fresh thinking
  • Potential for meaningful transformation

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Imperial College London: Hamlyn Centre for surgical innovation and Paul Hamlyn Chair of Surgery
  • Royal College of Art: Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design (endowed center and chair)
  • Bodleian Libraries: £4 million endowment for Bodley's Librarian position (leveraged £2 million in matched funding)
  • INTO: Multi-year support for heritage leadership programs and National Trust capacity building
  • India heritage sites: Restoration of Reis Magos Fort (Goa), conservation of Nagaur Fort (Rajasthan)
  • Portugal: International Music Festival in Setúbal and restoration of Albarquel Fort

Relationship Building

  • The Trust values long-term partnerships with leading organizations
  • Connections are often made through existing networks in arts, heritage, and academic institutions
  • Trust creates connections between organizations to invite fresh thinking

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. No Open Applications: This Trust cannot be accessed through traditional grant applications - they initiate all partnerships
  2. Long-term Strategic Relationships: The Trust invests in lasting partnerships with leading institutions rather than one-off grants
  3. Invitation-Based Model: Organizations cannot approach the Trust; the Trust approaches organizations
  4. High-Value Commitments: When the Trust engages, it often provides substantial, transformative funding (from £10,000 to multi-million endowments)
  5. Public Benefit Focus: Projects must demonstrate clear public value and accessibility, not private benefit
  6. Heritage and Innovation: Strong emphasis on preserving cultural heritage while fostering innovation in design, medicine, and education
  7. Geographic Priorities: Significant international focus on India and Portugal alongside UK projects
  8. Visibility in Relevant Sectors: Organizations should focus on building excellence and visibility in arts, heritage, medicine, or education sectors where the Trust actively works

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References