The John Horseman Trust

Charity Number: 1077820

Annual Expenditure: £0.7M
Throughout England, Malawi, Uganda

Contact Info

Phone:01670787423

Email:horsemantrust@outlook.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £735,965 (2024 expenditure)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily UK (England), with some international work in Malawi and Uganda
  • Founded: 1999

Contact Details

Email: horsemantrust@outlook.com

Phone: 01670787423

Address: Acton Hall Cottage, Felton, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9NU

No website or formal application portal is available. Direct contact is recommended.

Overview

The John Horseman Trust was established in October 1999 as a grant-making charity supporting charitable projects primarily in the United Kingdom. The trust focuses on initiatives of practical utility and benefit for the environment, education, and local communities. With total assets of approximately £27.3 million and annual income of £1.84 million (2024), the trust operates as a family-run organization governed by five trustees, including the founding members. The trust's charitable expenditure in 2024 was £735,965, distributed across projects in England, Malawi, and Uganda. The trust maintains policies on financial reserves, risk management, safeguarding, and investments. No trustees receive remuneration. The trust appears to take a personal approach to grant-making, with representatives visiting funded projects to see their impact firsthand.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The John Horseman Trust does not publish specific grant programs or funding tiers. Applications appear to be accepted on a rolling basis with no confirmed deadlines.

Priority Areas

The trust supports charitable projects in three core areas:

  • Environment: Projects benefiting environmental conservation and sustainability
  • Education: Educational initiatives and access programs
  • Local Communities: Community development and support projects, including disability services

The trust also funds work in:

  • Culture and art
  • Humanitarian and disaster relief
  • Animal welfare
  • Health and wellbeing (e.g., mobile healthcare services)

Geographic Focus

  • Primary: England (particularly the North East)
  • International: Malawi and Uganda

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are published. The trust's focus on “practical utility and benefit” suggests a preference for tangible, measurable impact projects.

Governance and Leadership

The John Horseman Trust is governed by five trustees, all from the Horseman family:

  • John Richard Horseman - Founding Trustee
  • Moyra Claire Susan Horseman - Founding Trustee
  • Laura Claire Susan Horseman - Trustee
  • William James Horseman - Trustee
  • Guy Richard Horseman - Trustee

The trust operates with strong family governance and maintains a personal connection to its grant-making activities. Sarah Timmis represents the trust in conducting site visits to funded organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The John Horseman Trust does not maintain a website or formal application portal. No public application guidelines or forms are available.

Recommended approach: Contact the trust directly via email (horsemantrust@outlook.com) or phone (01670787423) to inquire about funding opportunities. The trust may work on an invitation basis or through direct approaches from organizations.

Decision Timeline

No information on decision timelines is publicly available. The trust's fiscal year ends in March.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information available, potential applicants should note:

  • Personal connections matter: The trust places emphasis on building personal relationships with grant recipients. A funded organization noted: “Building personal connections with our grant sponsors holds great significance” (Deano Pickering, Executive Director, HealthBus).
  • Site visits: The trust conducts visits to funded projects to see their impact firsthand, suggesting they value tangible, demonstrable outcomes.
  • Practical utility: The trust's stated mission emphasizes projects of “practical utility and benefit,” suggesting they favor initiatives with clear, measurable impact.
  • Recent examples of funded work:
  • HealthBus Trust (2023) - Mobile healthcare service for homeless populations in Bournemouth
  • RMA - The Royal Marines Charity (2021-2023) - Multiple years of support
  • Alignment with core areas: Ensure your project clearly fits within environment, education, or local community development.
  • Geographic relevance: Projects in England, particularly the North East, or in Malawi/Uganda may be favored.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited public information: Be prepared to make direct contact to learn about application procedures and funding criteria
  • Family foundation approach: This is a family-run trust with personal involvement in grant-making
  • No formal deadlines: The trust operates without published deadlines, suggesting a rolling or invitation-based approach
  • Relationship-focused: The trust values personal connections and conducts site visits to funded projects
  • Substantial resources: With £27.3 million in assets, the trust has significant capacity despite modest annual distributions
  • Focus on practical impact: Emphasize tangible, measurable benefits in your proposals
  • Multi-year potential: Evidence of supporting organizations across multiple years (e.g., Royal Marines Charity)

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References