The Nesbitt-cleland Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£248,000 - £253,000 (based on recent expenditure)
• Annual Income: £299,066 (2024)
• Grant Range: Not specified (trustees' discretion)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Method: No formal public process - contact via administrator

Contact Details

• Address: C/O PO BOX 63891, London, SE1P 5GW
• Phone: 020 7486 5888
• Email: charity.correspondence@bdo.co.uk
• Administrator: BDO LLP (major accounting firm)

Overview

The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust was established in 2008 via a Trust Deed dated 27 March 2008 and registered with the Charity Commission on 23 April 2008. It is a family trust with six trustees, all members of the Nesbitt family. The trust has broad charitable objectives, holding funds “to apply the same for capital and income thereof to or towards the benefit or in furtherance of such charitable purposes or charitable institutions in such proportion and manner as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion from time to time think fit.”

The trust has shown steady growth in income over recent years, from £167,615 in 2020 to £299,066 in 2024. Annual expenditure (which primarily represents grant-making) has remained relatively consistent at approximately £248,000-£253,000 in recent years. The trust operates throughout England and Wales and supports both charitable organisations and individuals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust makes grants for “General Charitable Purposes” with no stated restrictions on funding areas. Grants are made at the trustees' absolute discretion with no published funding tiers or typical amounts.

Beneficiaries

• Other charities and voluntary bodies
• The general public/mankind
• Both organisations and individuals are eligible

Priority Areas

The trust has no stated priority areas - it can fund any charitable purpose in any part of the world, though it operates primarily throughout England and Wales.

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are published. As a general-purpose trust, the trustees have complete discretion over what they fund.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (5 current trustees)

• Mr Stephen James Nesbitt - Chair
• Mrs Aileen Elizabeth Nesbitt
• Mr Matthew David Nesbitt
• Mr Joel Robert Nesbitt
• Mr Harry William Nesbitt

Note: Mr Daniel Stephen Nesbitt was previously listed as a trustee.

The trust is entirely family-run, with all trustees being members of the Nesbitt family. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Administration

The trust is administered by BDO LLP, a major international accounting firm, which handles correspondence and presumably the day-to-day management of the trust's affairs.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The trust operates entirely at the trustees' absolute discretion. There is no published application form, guidelines, or deadlines.

To submit a funding request, organisations or individuals should write to the trust via their administrator:

• Email: charity.correspondence@bdo.co.uk
• Post: The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust, C/O PO BOX 63891, London, SE1P 5GW
• Phone: 020 7486 5888

Getting on Their Radar

As a family trust with no public profile, there are limited documented ways to engage with The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust beyond direct correspondence. The trust does not appear to have a website, social media presence, or public communications.

The email address (charity.correspondence@bdo.co.uk) suggests that BDO handles correspondence for multiple charities, so clearly identifying your enquiry as being for The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust is advisable.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented. As a small family trust, decisions are likely made at periodic trustee meetings.

Success Rates

Not available - the trust does not publish application or success statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's broad mandate and family governance structure, the following factors may be relevant:

• Clear charitable purpose: Ensure your request clearly articulates how the funds will advance charitable objectives
• Alignment with general charitable purposes: While the trust can fund anything charitable, a well-articulated case for support is always beneficial
• Professional presentation: As the trust is administered by BDO, a major accounting firm, professional and well-organised funding requests are likely appreciated
• Credibility: Evidence of charitable status, proper governance, and track record would support any application

Note: Without published guidance from the trust, these are general best practices rather than funder-specific requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No formal application process - contact must be made via their BDO-administered correspondence address
• Broad funding scope - the trust can fund any charitable purpose, giving flexibility but also meaning applications compete without a defined focus area
• Family trust governance - decisions are made by six family members at their absolute discretion
• Moderate funding capacity - with annual expenditure of approximately £250,000, this is a small to medium-sized trust
• Geographic scope - operates throughout England and Wales
• Both individuals and organisations are eligible for grants
• Professional administration - managed through BDO, suggesting a professional approach to correspondence

References

• Charity Commission - The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust Full Overview -
• Charity Commission - What, Who, How, Where -
• Charity Commission - Trustee Details -
• Charity Choice - The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust -