The Lake House Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £89,032 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Biannual trustee meetings (applications reviewed twice per year)
• Grant Range: £500 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide with emphasis on small and local charities, particularly Surrey/local area
• Registered Charity Number: 1126293

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 651, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 3EP

Phone: 01932 848028

Email: lakehouse.office@googlemail.com

Website: www.thelakehouse.org.uk

Pre-application Support: Helen Perry (Director) personally reviews all donation requests before trustee discussions

Overview

The Lake House Charitable Foundation was established by Helen and Tim Perry following “many hours chatting around the kitchen table about philanthropy.” Registered as charity number 1126293, the foundation is a family-driven grant-making organization with five trustees including family members and close friends. With annual grant-making expenditure of approximately £89,032 (2024), the foundation has consistently distributed between £87,000-£128,000 annually over the past five years, despite fluctuating income levels. The foundation's strategic approach centers on supporting small and local charities that provide aid to children, young people, and the elderly who are disadvantaged or marginalized. While they occasionally support large national charities, there is a definite emphasis on smaller organizations of personal or local interest to the trustees. The foundation is particularly committed to supporting charities that create secure and safe environments for people to live and work in.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £500 - £10,000

• Rolling applications accepted throughout the year (when open)
• Biannual trustee review meetings
• Both core funding and project-based grants considered
• Repeat applications welcomed from previously supported charities

Note: The foundation periodically closes to new applications when oversubscribed. As of recent updates, they had received more applications than they could fund and temporarily paused accepting new applications, with plans to reopen later.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on two main beneficiary groups:

Children and Young People:

• Those suffering from health problems
• Those experiencing poor social, economic, or emotional circumstances
• Organizations providing secure and safe environments

Elderly People:

• Organizations working to improve quality of life for the elderly
• Services addressing isolation, health, and wellbeing

Charity Size Preference:

• Strong emphasis on small and local charities
• Charities struggling to become established
• Organizations of personal or local interest to trustees
• Occasional support for large national charities

What They Don't Fund

• Non-registered charities
• Individual requests or applications from individuals
• Organizations outside their priority areas of children/young people and elderly support

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Helen Perry (Founder & Director)

• Professional marketing background
• Directional force of the charity
• Personally reviews all donation requests before trustee meetings
• Quote: “I feel passionately that we can make a difference within the LHCF.”

Tim Perry (Co-Founder)

• Property and construction professional
• Key role in establishing the foundation
• Quote: “Being involved with the charity is a wholly rewarding experience.”

Alistair Candlish

• Chartered Accountant with 30 years in finance
• Director and Financial Adviser at Carrington Wealth Management
• Quote: “I am delighted and honoured to be a Trustee of the LHCF.”

Marcus Platt

• Helen's son
• Joined as trustee in 2017
• Quote: “I am hugely proud to have joined the family foundation.”

Sasha Platt

• Helen's daughter
• Joined as trustee in late 2020
• Quote: "I'm delighted to be a part of something so close to home."

The board comprises five trustees, all unpaid, with a family-focused governance structure supported by trusted friends with relevant professional expertise.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method:

• Submit via email to: lakehouse.office@googlemail.com
• Applications accepted throughout the year (when open)
• Rolling basis with no fixed deadlines

Application Requirements:

• Organization name
• Charity registration number
• Primary contact details
• Previous funding history with the foundation
• Charity category
• Geographic coverage area
• Organizational establishment date
• Primary charitable purpose
• Grant purpose and specific amount requested
• Additional supporting information

Current Status: Periodically closes to new applications when oversubscribed. Check website or contact directly to confirm they are accepting applications before submitting.

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

1. Receipt: Applications submitted via email
2. Initial Review: Helen Perry personally reviews each request
3. Trustee Discussion: Biannual trustee meetings where applications are discussed in full
4. Decision: Trustees make final decision at meeting
5. Notification: Applicants informed of outcome

Typical Timeline: Applications are reviewed at one of two annual trustee meetings. Timeline from submission to decision depends on when application is received relative to the next scheduled meeting. Exact meeting dates are not publicly published.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation has noted receiving more applications than they can fund, suggesting competitive demand for their grants. They do support several charities repeatedly over many years, indicating successful applicants can receive ongoing support.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation explicitly welcomes repeat requests and has supported several charities for many years. There is no stated restriction on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants, and organizations are encouraged to apply again if their work aligns with the foundation's priorities.

Application Success Factors

The foundation provides specific guidance for maximizing application success:

1. Align with Priority Sectors

“Note their specific sectors where possible before submitting an application, as applications from organisations outside of these sectors are unlikely to gain funding.” The foundation is clear about their focus on children, young people, and the elderly - applications outside these areas have little chance of success.

2. Be Clear and Concise

“Ensure your application is clear and concise in order that it can be dealt with swiftly.” Helen Perry personally reviews every application, so clarity and brevity are valued. Avoid unnecessary jargon or overly lengthy submissions.

3. Provide Project Specifics

“If your application is for funding for a specific project, include as many reporting financials and specific outcomes as possible around the project.” The trustees want to understand exactly what their money will achieve, with measurable outcomes and clear financial breakdowns.

4. Include Case Studies

“Include case studies (anonymised where appropriate) highlighting how your organisation helps those in need where possible.” Real-world examples demonstrating impact resonate with trustees who want to see tangible results.

5. Demonstrate Financial Management

Show strong financial stewardship and how you manage resources effectively. With trustee Alistair Candlish being a Chartered Accountant, financial credibility matters.

6. Emphasize Local or Small Charity Status

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's “definite emphasis on the small and the local” suggests highlighting your organization's local connections or small-charity challenges may strengthen your application.

7. Personal Connection to Trustees' Interests

The foundation makes distributions “mainly to small charities who are of personal or local interest to the trustees.” If your work connects to Surrey/Weybridge area or aligns with trustees' known interests, emphasize this connection.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Personal review process: Helen Perry reviews every application personally before trustee discussions - your application will receive direct attention from leadership, so make it count.

• Family foundation values: This is a family-driven foundation conceived “around the kitchen table” - they value authentic, personal connections and are drawn to organizations they can relate to on a personal level.

• Small and local preference: While they occasionally support national charities, there is a “definite emphasis on the small and the local” - highlight your grassroots nature and local impact.

• Long-term relationships: They “have supported several charities for many years” and welcome repeat requests - this is a funder interested in ongoing relationships, not just one-off grants.

• Case studies matter: The foundation specifically asks for anonymized case studies showing how you help those in need - prepare compelling real-world examples demonstrating tangible impact.

• Monitor application windows: The foundation periodically closes to new applications when oversubscribed - check their website or contact them before applying to ensure they're accepting submissions.

• Both core and project funding available: Unlike many small foundations that only fund projects, LHCF is “happy to consider requests for core funding as well as project-based grants” - don't be afraid to ask for operational support if needed.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The George A Moore Foundation
• The Tudwick Foundation
• The Green Hall Foundation
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• THE ROBERT MCALPINE FOUNDATION
• THE TRUEMARK TRUST
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• THE SOUTH STREET GREEN ROOM FOUNDATION
• KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• The Lake House Charitable Foundation official website: www.thelakehouse.org.uk
• How to Apply page: https://www.thelakehouse.org.uk/how-to-apply
• Who We Are page: https://www.thelakehouse.org.uk/who-we-are
• What We Do page: https://www.thelakehouse.org.uk/what-we-do
• Charity Commission Register of Charities: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1126293&subid=0
• Charity Commission Financial History: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4041643/financial-history