The Leche Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £180,000+ (55 projects in 2023/24)
• Success Rate: 28% (2019 data: 84 grants from 302 applications)
• Decision Time: 6-10 weeks after deadline
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000 (typical £2,000-£4,000)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (particularly encourages applications from outside London/Southeast)
• Allocation per Round: Approx. £30,000 performing arts + £30,000 conservation per meeting

Contact Details

Website: www.lechetrust.org

Email: info@lechetrust.org

Phone: +44 (0) 7354 423316

Address: PO Box 907, Orpington, BR6 1NT

Grants Director: Gareth Clayton (available for pre-application discussions, particularly for London/Southeast applicants)

Overview

Founded in 1950 and endowed by the late Angus Acworth CBE, The Leche Trust has been supporting excellence in the performing arts and heritage conservation for over 70 years. The Trust was constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2024. With an annual distribution of over £180,000, the Trust makes grants to approximately 55-60 projects each year across its two priority areas. The Trust is a member of The Heritage Alliance and the Association of Charitable Foundations. In 2023/24, Gareth Clayton joined as Grants Director, bringing 15 years of experience from organizations including the John Ellerman Foundation and The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. The Trust particularly values supporting smaller organizations (turnover under £1.5 million) where their funding can have the greatest impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Performing Arts Grants: Typically around £4,000 (rarely larger)

• New Works in Performing Arts: Commissioning, development, production and/or performance of new works in music, theatre, dance and performance across all genres
• Artists' Professional Development: Programs addressing development needs for early or mid-career professional artists (18+) that reflect current practices
• Applications via online portal; trustees meet three times yearly with approximately £30,000 allocated per meeting

Heritage Conservation Grants: Typically under £5,000 (occasionally larger for exceptional projects)

• Conservation of historically, artistically and culturally significant buildings, objects, collections and architectural features dating from before 1837
• Must be in urgent need of remedial treatment
• Applications via online portal; trustees meet three times yearly with approximately £30,000 allocated per meeting

Training Bursaries: £7,500 per bursary

• Three annual bursaries for young people undertaking specialist conservation and craft skills training
• Separate application process through partner institutions

Priority Areas

Performing Arts:

• Original artistic work that nurtures artists and creativity
• Projects contributing to a “vibrant arts ecology”
• Development of young professional artists (18+)
• Broad balance between music, theatre and dance projects
• Festivals and touring that widen geographical access
• Excellence in professional performance across all genres
• Particularly encourages applications from outside London and Southeast England

Heritage Conservation:

• Pre-1837 (Georgian period and earlier) objects, buildings, and designed landscapes
• Individual paintings, sculptures, monuments, wall paintings
• Non-structural architectural fittings, decorative plasterwork, paneling
• Archaeological finds, archive items, decorative art objects
• Church monuments, wall paintings, stained glass, historic furniture and fittings
• Items in public or charitable ownership accessible to the public

What They Don't Fund

Performing Arts Exclusions:

• Projects primarily for health or therapy purposes
• Visual arts projects
• Amateur performances
• Projects where majority of artists are under 18
• School-only settings (unless part of broader professional development)
• Recordings (unless integral to live performance work)
• Individual artist applications
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)

Heritage Conservation Exclusions:

• Victorian or post-1837 items
• Structural repairs to buildings
• Display or exhibition costs
• General fundraising appeals
• Educational projects
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Individual applications

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Andrew Cameron

Trustees:

• Susanna Eastburn MBE
• Régis Gautier-Cochefert
• Matthew Hirst
• Peter Holmes
• Diana Spiegelberg

Grants Director: Gareth Clayton, who commented on his appointment: “I am thrilled to be starting work for a funder that is focused on supporting performing arts and heritage conservation – areas of work that I am personally and professionally passionate about.” Clayton brings 15 years of experience in the arts, culture and heritage sector, having previously worked for the John Ellerman Foundation and The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, succeeding Rosemary Ewles who retired after 10 years of service.

The Trust operates under a Deed of Settlement dated 1 February 1963 and was reconstituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1207755) in 2024, previously registered as charity number 225659.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Trust's online Benefactor Cloud database, which opens 10-12 weeks before each trustee meeting. The Trust meets three times per year to consider applications.

Application Portal: Available through www.lechetrust.org

Important: Applicants must click “submit” to make their application live in the system.

Pre-Application Contact:

• Applicants from London and Southeast England are asked to contact Grants Director Gareth Clayton to discuss their proposal before submitting
• All applicants may contact Gareth Clayton with questions about the type of funding available

Required Documentation (Heritage Conservation):

• Fully costed estimate for conservation work
• Condition assessment by ICON-accredited conservator
• Detailed description of specific conservation work needed
• Clear explanation of the grant's potential impact

Required Documentation (Performing Arts):

• Specific details about project costs
• Demonstration of how the grant will have impact
• Evidence of professional development needs (for artist development programs)

Decision Timeline

• Applications open: 10-12 weeks before trustee meeting
• Application deadline: Varies by round (specific dates published on website)
• Trustee meeting: Three times per year
• Decision notification: Typically 6-10 weeks after application deadline
• Notification method: Email communication via Benefactor Cloud system

2025-26 Timeline Example:

• Round 2 deadline: 26 January 2026
• Next round: Opens December 2025

Success Rates

Based on 2019 data (most recent available):

• Applications received: 302
• Grants awarded: 84
• Success rate: 28%
• Average grant: £2,000
• Total distributed: £175,300

More recent data (2024-25):

• Performing arts: 30 projects awarded, £109,736 total
• Heritage conservation: 28 projects awarded, £109,391 total

This indicates approximately 58 grants distributed annually across both programs.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants: May reapply whenever they wish with no waiting period or restrictions.

Successful applicants (Performing Arts): Will not normally be considered for a further grant until 36 months have elapsed since the date of the meeting at which the grant was awarded.

Data retention: Personal data from unsuccessful applications is deleted, while project information is retained.

Application Success Factors

Size and Impact:

The Trust explicitly states it prefers “smaller projects where our contribution can have a greater impact.” Grants are typically around £4,000 for performing arts and under £5,000 for conservation. Applications requesting £5,000 are “exceptional” due to high demand. Demonstrating how a relatively modest grant will make a significant difference is crucial.

Geographic Diversity:

The Trust is “keen to ensure its grant-making is spread throughout the UK” and “particularly encourages eligible applications from outside London and Southeast of England.” Regional organizations have a strategic advantage. London/Southeast applicants should contact the Grants Director before applying to discuss their proposal.

Organizational Size:

Only organizations with annual turnover under £1.5 million are eligible. The Trust specifically seeks to support smaller organizations where their funding can have proportionally greater impact.

Specificity in Conservation Applications:

Heritage conservation applications must include professional assessments from ICON-accredited conservators and “detailed description of specific conservation work” rather than general appeals. The focus should be on urgent remedial treatment needs.

Professional Focus:

Performing arts grants support professional artists (18+) and professional development programs. Amateur work, school-only projects, and work primarily involving under-18s are excluded. The emphasis is on “original work” and “nurturing artists and their creativity.”

Three-Year Funding Cycle:

Successful performing arts applicants cannot typically reapply for 36 months. This suggests the Trust values spreading support across a wider range of organizations rather than repeatedly funding the same recipients. First-time applicants may be viewed favorably.

Public Access and Ownership:

Heritage items must be in public or charitable ownership and accessible to the public. Private collections are not eligible.

Pre-1837 Dating:

For conservation grants, strict adherence to the pre-1837 cutoff is essential. Victorian or later items are explicitly excluded.

Evidence of Need:

Applications should clearly demonstrate urgency (for conservation) or specific development needs (for artist programs) rather than general support requests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target the sweet spot: Aim for £2,000-£4,000 for performing arts, under £5,000 for conservation, demonstrating maximum impact from modest funding
• Regional advantage: Organizations outside London/Southeast are particularly encouraged; London/Southeast applicants should discuss proposals with Grants Director before applying
• Size matters: Only eligible if turnover is under £1.5 million - the Trust specifically prefers smaller organizations
• Professional and original: Focus on professional artists 18+, new works, and original artistic practice; amateur work is not funded
• Pre-1837 strict cutoff: Heritage items must definitively date before 1837; Victorian items are excluded
• Plan for the three-year cycle: Successful performing arts applicants typically wait 36 months before reapplying; unsuccessful applicants can reapply immediately
• Be specific: Provide detailed costs, professional assessments (for conservation), and clear evidence of impact rather than general appeals

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• THE HEADLEY TRUST
• The Clore Duffield Foundation
• Backstage Trust
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• P F Charitable Trust
• Hollick Family Foundation
• THE ROGER DE HAAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
• The Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Settlement
• Jerwood Foundation
• The McCorquodale Charitable Trust
• The Fenton Arts Trust
• The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
• The Godinton Charitable Trust
• FOCAL POINT
• HYDE PARK PLACE ESTATE CHARITY

References

• The Leche Trust official website: www.lechetrust.org
• The Leche Trust “About Us” page: https://www.lechetrust.org/about-us
• The Leche Trust “What We Fund” page: https://www.lechetrust.org/what-we-fund
• The Leche Trust “Performing Arts Grants” page: https://www.lechetrust.org/what-we-fund/performing-arts-grants
• The Leche Trust “Heritage Conservation Grants” page: https://www.lechetrust.org/what-we-fund/heritage-conservation-grants
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=225659&subid=0
• Arts Professional: “Leche Trust welcomes new grant director” - https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/faces/leche-trust-welcomes-new-grant-director
• Funding Scotland: The Leche Trust profile - https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000003idJ1EAI/the-leche-trust
• Making Music: The Leche Trust funding opportunity - https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/funding-opportunity/the-leche-trust