The Linnet Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £105,865 (2023 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £40,000
• Geographic Focus: South West England only

Contact Details

• Phone: 07990965902
• Address: Rose Cottage, Bristol Road, West Harptree, Bristol, BS40 6HQ
• Website: None identified
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Linnet Trust is a grant-making charity established in 1983 that provides core funding grants to UK registered charities operating in the South West of England. With annual expenditure of approximately £106,000 (2023), the Trust focuses on supporting organizations working with disadvantaged groups facing mental, physical, or behavioral challenges, often linked to poverty. The Trust operates with a small governance structure of three trustees and maintains a deliberately low public profile, with no website or online presence. Their approach emphasizes supporting innovative, cost-effective charities that can demonstrate a strong track record and have the potential to influence government policy in their sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Core Funding Grants: £5,000 - £40,000 (unrestricted funding for UK registered charities)
• Application method not publicly specified - direct contact required

Priority Areas

• Organizations supporting disadvantaged groups with mental, physical, or behavioral problems
• Work addressing issues often consequent to poverty
• Innovative approaches that are cost-effective and administratively efficient
• Projects with potential to influence government policy change
• Charities that are well-respected in their field with proven delivery track records

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Religious organisations
• Animal charities
• Art charities
• Organizations outside the South West of England

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust operates with three trustees:

• Mr. Jerry Suenson-Taylor
• Ms. Rowan Suenson-Taylor
• Mr. Michael Simmons

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits. The Trust maintains a lean administrative structure with no trading subsidiaries or paid staff reported.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a publicly documented application process. There is no website, online portal, or published application guidelines. Grants appear to be awarded through direct contact with the trustees. Potential applicants should contact the Trust by phone (07990965902) or letter to the registered address to inquire about application procedures.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities, successful applications likely demonstrate:

• Clear evidence of working with disadvantaged groups in the South West
• Strong track record of successful delivery
• Cost-effectiveness and administrative efficiency
• Innovation in approach
• Potential for broader systemic impact, particularly regarding government policy
• Core funding needs rather than project-specific requirements
• Alignment with addressing poverty-related challenges

Given the Trust's small size and lack of public presence, personal contact and relationship building may be important factors in securing funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Linnet Trust offers valuable core funding (unrestricted) which many charities find difficult to secure
• Geographic restriction to South West England is strictly enforced
• With expenditure exceeding income, the Trust appears to be actively distributing funds from reserves
• The lack of online presence suggests a preference for traditional communication methods
• Focus on demonstrating potential for policy influence could be a differentiator
• Small trustee board suggests decisions may be made relatively quickly once contact is established
• Direct phone contact may be the most effective first step given limited public information

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE G D HERBERT CHARITABLE TRUST
• The YAPP Charitable Trust
• Lady Gould's Charity
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The C T Thomas Trust
• IMAGINE FOUNDATION
• The Atherton Family Charitable Trust
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• The SpeedoMick Foundation
• Elifar Foundation Limited

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales, Register of Charities - The Linnet Trust (Charity Number 326365)
• The Linnet Trust Annual Return 2023, submitted to Charity Commission
• Charity Commission Financial History records for The Linnet Trust, 2019-2023