The Howard Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £175,849 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK and International

Contact Details

Address: Westhaven House, Arleston Way, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LH

Phone: 0121 713 7100

Email: Not publicly available

Website: Not available

Overview

The Howard Charitable Trust was registered as a charity on August 8, 1977 (Charity Number 274309). With total expenditure of £175,849 in the year ending April 5, 2024, the trust operates as a responsive grant-maker supporting two primary areas: aid organizations working both domestically in the UK and internationally, and care homes and nursing homes. The charity's approach focuses on responding to appeals from organizations rather than operating an open application process. The trust funds outings for residents in care facilities and assists with financing shortfalls in these organizations. The charity has maintained a consistent focus on these twin priorities throughout its operational history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Howard Charitable Trust does not operate distinct named grant programs. Instead, it responds to appeals across two core funding areas:

Aid Organization Support: The trust considers appeals from charitable aid organizations operating in the UK and internationally. Specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed.

Care Home Support: The trust provides funding for outings and activities for residents in care homes and nursing homes, and assists with financing shortfalls in these facilities.

Priority Areas

• Aid and development organizations (UK and international operations)
• Care homes and nursing homes
• Outings and activities for elderly residents in care facilities
• Operational shortfalls for care organizations

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Given the trust's focused approach on aid organizations and elderly care, organizations outside these sectors are unlikely to receive funding.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by a board of five trustees who serve on a voluntary basis without remuneration. The current trustees are:

• David Philip Ensell
• Andrew John Parker
• Michael John Howard Hodgskin-Brown

The charity also engages one volunteer and operates without paid employees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all resources are directed toward grant-making activities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Howard Charitable Trust operates on a responsive basis, meaning they consider appeals from organizations rather than accepting open applications. The trust describes its approach as responding to “appeals from various aid organisations” and care facilities.

Organizations wishing to be considered for funding should send a written appeal to the trust at their registered address: Westhaven House, Arleston Way, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LH, or contact them by telephone at 0121 713 7100.

Appeals should clearly outline:

• The organization's charitable purpose and activities
• The specific need or project requiring funding
• How the funding will be used
• The amount requested
• Any deadline considerations

Decision Timeline

The trust does not publicly disclose typical decision timelines. Given its responsive approach to appeals, decision times likely vary depending on trustee meeting schedules and the nature of the request.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The trust does not publish information about reapplication policies or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about the trust's grant-making criteria, the following factors are likely to be important based on their stated mission:

For Aid Organizations:

• Clear demonstration of charitable activities in the UK or internationally
• Specific, well-defined funding needs
• Evidence of organizational effectiveness and good governance

For Care Homes and Nursing Homes:

• Specific proposals for resident outings or activities
• Documented shortfalls in operational funding
• Clear benefit to elderly residents

General Factors:

• The trust appears to value personal appeals, suggesting that a direct, personal approach may be more effective than formal applications
• Given the trustees' location in the West Midlands, local or regional organizations may have natural advantages, though international aid work is explicitly within scope
• The trust's expenditure (£175,849) exceeding its income (£93,943) in 2024 suggests it is drawing on reserves, which may impact future grant-making capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No open application process: This trust responds to appeals rather than soliciting applications, so proactive outreach is essential
• Dual focus: The trust has two clear priority areas—aid organizations and elderly care facilities—and proposals outside these areas are unlikely to succeed
• Contact by phone or letter: With no website or email, traditional communication methods (telephone or postal mail) are the only options
• Small, focused trust: With just five trustees and one volunteer, this is a small-scale operation that likely makes targeted grants rather than large-scale awards
• Financial sustainability: Recent expenditure exceeding income suggests the trust may be spending down reserves, which could affect future grant availability
• Location advantage: Being based in Solihull, West Midlands organizations or those with connections to the region may have better prospects
• Relationship-based: The appeals-based model suggests that building relationships and direct communication with trustees may be more important than formal proposal writing

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Howard Charitable Trust (274309). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=274309&subid=0 []
• OpenCharities: The Howard Charitable Trust. Available at: http://opencharities.org/charities/274309 []
• Total Giving: The Howard Charitable Trust. Available at: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/the-howard-charitable-trust []