The Manifold Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £332,578 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Email: themanifoldtrust@gmail.com

Phone: 020 7735 0818

Address: 87 Douglas Road, Esher, KT10 8BG

Overview

The Manifold Charitable Trust (charity number 229501) was established by Sir John Smith in 1962 to generate funds for conservation in the UK, particularly of buildings, and to support other culturally important activities. With a total income of £844,120 in 2024 (including £694,120 from investments and £150,000 in donations), the trust maintains a significant endowment to support ongoing grant-making. The trust operates with one trustee and one employee, typically making small grants to registered charities throughout England and Wales. Since January 2013, the trust has operated on an invitation-only basis, no longer accepting unsolicited applications, with all grant decisions made at the trustee's discretion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with awards typically ranging from £500 to £5,000. Grants are made only to other registered charities, with decisions made periodically throughout the year by the trustee.

Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

The Manifold Charitable Trust favours charities engaged in:

• Conservation (primary focus) - particularly buildings and heritage preservation
• Arts, culture, heritage and science
• Education and training
• Environment and conservation
• Churches and religious buildings
• General charitable purposes

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Non-registered charities
• Organizations outside England and Wales
• Unsolicited applications (since January 2013)

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Governance and Leadership

The trust operates with a lean governance structure consisting of:

• One Trustee (name not publicly disclosed) who makes all grant decisions
• One Employee to support operations
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity
• No trading subsidiaries

The trust maintains transparency through regular reporting to the Charity Commission, with all filings up to date.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Since 31 January 2013, the trustee no longer considers unsolicited applications from third parties. Grants are awarded at the trustee's discretion, typically to organizations already known to the trust or identified through the trustee's networks. The trust operates on an invitation-only basis.

Decision Timeline

The trust has historically considered applications “periodically throughout the year,” though this now applies only to invited applications. Specific timelines from invitation to decision are not publicly documented.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. Given the invitation-only model, organizations invited to apply likely have a higher success rate than typical open application processes.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this trust, the following factors are important for understanding their approach:

• Conservation focus: The trust was founded specifically to support conservation in the UK, particularly building preservation. Organizations working in this space aligned with the trust's historic mission are most likely to be considered.

• Registered charity status: The trust only makes grants to registered charities in England and Wales. Registration with the Charity Commission is essential.

• Small, focused grants: With typical grants ranging from £500 to £5,000, the trust appears to support specific projects or needs rather than core funding or large capital projects.

• Trustee discretion: With a single trustee making all decisions, grant-making is highly personal and based on the trustee's knowledge and priorities.

• Investment-based model: The trust generates the majority of its income (£694,120 in 2024) from investments, suggesting a sustainable, long-term approach to grant-making rather than responsive funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: Since January 2013, this trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations cannot apply directly.

• Invitation-only funding: Grants are made at the trustee's discretion to organizations already known to the trust or within the trustee's networks.

• Conservation heritage focus: The trust's founding mission centers on building conservation and heritage preservation, making this the strongest alignment area.

• Small grant size: Typical grants of £500-£5,000 suggest targeted support for specific projects rather than substantial operational funding.

• Relationship-based: With one trustee making all decisions, relationships and prior knowledge of the organization are likely critical to receiving support.

• Sustainable giving: With significant investment income, the trust appears positioned for ongoing grant-making in the long term.

• Geographic limitation: Only supports charities registered in England and Wales.

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The Manifold Charitable Trust, Charity Number 229501. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=229501

• Charity Choice - The Manifold Charitable Trust Profile. Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-manifold-charitable-trust-229501

• UK Charity Commission Financial Data for year ending 31 December 2024