The Lewin Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,387,262 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 3-5 months
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £50,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-based charities working in UK or overseas
• Application Rounds: 3 times per year

Contact Details

Website: www.lewintrust.org

Email: info@lewintrust.org

Phone: 01223 650624

Address: Unit 1, Chuck-a-Bush Farm, Royston Road, Whittlesford, Cambridge CB22 4NW

Pre-application Support: Contact Anne Andrews (Grants Administrator) at info@lewintrust.org for advice on the application process

Overview

The Lewin Trust was established in 2021 as an independent grant-making trust through generous donations. With long-term investments of £23.8 million and annual charitable expenditure of approximately £1.4 million, the Trust focuses on making a tangible difference to poverty and inequality through early intervention. The Trust's strategic approach emphasizes breaking cycles of dependence on relief by supporting UK-registered charities working both domestically and overseas in areas of need or deprivation. The current priority is giving every child the best start in life, with particular focus on children aged 0-5 and, where appropriate, their parents and carers on their journey to independence. The Trust is committed to building meaningful relationships with partner charities through multi-year funding and light-touch reporting.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Project Grants: £10,000 - £50,000 per year
• Multi-year funding available (maximum 3 years)
• Willing to fund up to 50% of project costs (including core costs)
• Application method: Two-stage process via Expression of Interest followed by formal application
• Application rounds: Three times per year with decisions in January, May, and October

Priority Areas

• Early Years Support: Projects supporting children aged 0-5 and their families
• Breaking Poverty Cycles: Early intervention to reduce dependence on relief
• Special Educational Needs: Support for children with disabilities and special needs
• Family Support: Programs helping parents/carers develop parenting strategies and emotional well-being
• Geographic Flexibility: Both UK-based projects and overseas work in areas of deprivation
• Small to Medium Charities: Organizations with annual income of £5 million or less

What They Don't Fund

• Property purchases
• Major building work or capital projects
• Projects requiring more than 50% funding from the Trust
• Organizations with annual income exceeding £5 million
• Multiple applications per organization in the same round

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Michael James Kinton - Chair
• Matthew Christopher Kinton - Trustee
• Marilyn Goudge - Trustee
• Rachel Caroline Sinfield - Trustee
• Rachel Mary King - Trustee
• James Harper Brown - Trustee
• Camilla Rose Kinton - Trustee

All trustees were appointed on 29 November 2021 when the Trust was established.

Staff Team

• Grant Farrant - Chief Executive
• Anne Andrews - Grants Administrator
• Clare Jackson - Grants Administrator
• Pam Lee - Finance Officer

The Trust operates with a small, focused team managing day-to-day grant-making activities and relationship management with funded charities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process:

• Submit EOI form at least 7 days before final application deadline
• Available on the Trust's website
• Initial screening to determine fit with priorities

• Invitation sent if EOI is successful
• Submit via email to info@lewintrust.org
• Required documents:
• Completed application form
• Recent accounts
• Safeguarding policy
• Two referee details

Application Requirements:

• Organization details and charitable purpose
• Project description and track record
• Budget breakdown and project finances
• Evidence of need and expected impact
• Sustainability and funding plan (must demonstrate how remaining 50%+ will be secured)

Decision Timeline

• Application Rounds: Three times per year
• Trustee Meetings: January, May, and October
• Timeline: Approximately 3-5 months from EOI submission to decision
• Notification: Direct communication via email
• Note: More applications are received than can be funded each round

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust acknowledges that they receive more applications per round than they can fund, and “a significant number of applications will not receive grant funding even if they fit within the priorities and criteria of the Trust.”

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful Applicants: Cannot reapply for the same project within 12 months
• Successful Grantees: Can reapply during their last year of support for continued funding
• One Application Per Round: Organizations may only submit one application per funding round

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Trust

The Trust emphasizes that applicants should "carefully review the 'What We Support' page“ and ensure projects align with the vision of ”making a tangible difference" for children and families. Contact Anne Andrews at info@lewintrust.org for pre-application advice.

Recently Funded Projects

The Trust has funded diverse projects including:

• Aiming Higher: “Rising Stars: Pre-School Enrichment Programme” supporting disabled preschool children through play-based learning
• Whoopsadaisy Brighton: Free support for children with physical disabilities, particularly cerebral palsy
• Koala North West: Family support in Wirral and Cheshire West focusing on emotional well-being and parenting strategies
• IMPACT Foundation: Addressing hearing loss in children in Zanzibar to prevent educational and social isolation
• Early Years Scotland: Supporting families in Renfrewshire's most deprived communities facing poverty and social isolation
• Children on the Edge: Supporting refugee children from Congo and South Sudan in Uganda
• Downright Special: Supporting children and young people with Down syndrome in Hull and East Yorkshire

Key Terminology and Language

The Trust consistently uses language around:

• “Breaking cycles of dependence”
• “Early intervention”
• “Tangible difference to poverty and inequality”
• “Best start in life”
• “Journey to independence”

Standing Out

• Clear Impact Measurement: Demonstrate how your project will make a measurable difference
• Sustainability Planning: Show clear plans for securing the remaining 50%+ of project costs
• Age-Appropriate Focus: Strong emphasis on 0-5 age group
• Holistic Approach: Projects that support both children and their parents/carers are valued
• Overseas Work Welcome: Don't be deterred if working internationally—the Trust actively supports overseas projects
• SEND Experience: Track record working with special educational needs and disabilities is valued

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• 50% Rule is Firm: You must demonstrate how the other 50%+ of funding will be secured; the Trust will not be sole funder
• Early Submission Benefits: Submit EOI at least 7 days before deadline; allows time for questions and demonstrates organization
• Multi-Year Thinking: The Trust offers up to 3 years of funding and values sustained impact over one-off projects
• Age Focus Matters: Projects must clearly benefit children aged 0-5; extending slightly beyond this age may be acceptable if strong justification provided
• Light-Touch Relationship: The Trust emphasizes light-touch reporting and meaningful relationships—demonstrate you'll be a good partner
• Small to Medium Sweet Spot: Organizations with income under £5m preferred; the Trust wants to make significant impact relative to organization size
• Pre-Application Contact Welcomed: Don't hesitate to contact Anne Andrews for guidance—the Trust actively offers support to applicants

References

• The Lewin Trust official website: https://lewintrust.org/
• How to Apply page: https://lewintrust.org/how-to-apply/
• What We Support page: https://lewintrust.org/what-we-support/
• About Us page: https://lewintrust.org/about-us/
• Case Studies page: https://lewintrust.org/case-studies/
• UK Charity Commission Register - The Lewin Trust (Charity No. 1197855): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5191167
• Financial data from Charity Commission accounts for year ending 2024