The Nicka Vassiliou Charitable Trust
Charity Number: 1089248
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £66,261 (2024)
- Annual Income: £49,963 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: At trustees' discretion
- Grant Range: Not publicly specified
- Geographic Focus: General charitable purposes (UK-registered charities)
Contact Details
Application Portal: https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
Phone: 02380 722525
Address: Second Floor, 1 The Forum, Parkway, Whiteley, FAREHAM, PO15 7PA
Overview
The Nicka Vassiliou Charitable Trust was established by Declaration of Trust on 17 September 2001 and registered with the Charity Commission on 7 November 2001 (Charity Number 1089248). The trust is part of a family of three related charitable trusts established by the Vassiliou family, alongside The Jeannine Vassiliou Charitable Trust and The Ione Vassiliou Charitable Trust. The trust operates as a grant-making foundation with a mandate to support general charitable purposes across the UK. In its most recent reporting period (ending 5 April 2024), the trust distributed £66,261 in charitable expenditure from an income of £49,963. The trust is professionally managed by Ludlow Trust Company (Southampton) Ltd, following Ludlow's acquisition of HSBC Trust Company (UK) Limited in 2024, and accepts applications from UK-registered charities through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The trust operates under general charitable purposes with discretion to support charitable objects as the trustees determine appropriate. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway portal.
Priority Areas
The trust has broad charitable purposes and can consider applications across all charitable sectors. Known recipients include healthcare organizations such as Mildmay Mission Hospital.
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though as a UK charitable trust, standard limitations would apply (no support for individuals directly, no political activities, no private benefit).
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Governance and Leadership
Trustees
The trust is governed by four trustees:
- Miss Nika Tassa Vassiliou
- Miss Jeannine Georgia Elpis Vassiliou
- Miss Ione Maria Vassiliou
- Ludlow Trust Company (Southampton) Ltd (formerly HSBC Trust Co (UK) Ltd)
None of the trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The professional trustee (Ludlow Trust Company) provides administrative oversight and manages the application process through their Funding Enquiry Gateway platform.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com. The portal is accessible via desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Applicants have two options:
- Direct Application: Apply specifically to The Nicka Vassiliou Charitable Trust if there is clear alignment with the trust's purposes
- General Application: Submit a general application that will be matched to relevant trusts within Ludlow's portfolio of 250+ charitable trusts
Charities provide information about their organization and the work requiring funding. The platform then matches applications to appropriate trusts based on charitable purposes and alignment.
Decision Timeline
Decision timelines are at the discretion of the trustees. There is no fixed schedule for trustee meetings or funding decisions. Applications are shared with trustees at times they request to make their funding decisions, meaning timelines can vary significantly depending on trustee availability and meeting schedules.
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly disclosed.
Reapplication Policy
The trust accepts applications on a rolling basis through the Ludlow platform. Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented.
Application Success Factors
Key Considerations
- Platform Matching: The Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway uses an algorithmic approach to match applications with appropriate trusts based on charitable purposes. Clear articulation of your charity's purposes and specific funding needs will improve matching accuracy.
- General Charitable Purposes: The trust has broad discretion to support various charitable causes. Applications should demonstrate clear charitable benefit and alignment with one or more recognized charitable purposes under UK law.
- Professional Administration: The trust benefits from professional trustee management through Ludlow Trust Company, which manages 250+ charitable trusts. This suggests applications will be assessed with professional rigor and consistency.
Known Grant Recipients
The trust has supported healthcare charities including Mildmay Mission Hospital, which provides specialist care and support services for complex health conditions.
Application Tips
- Ensure your organization is a registered or exempt charity with the UK Charity Commission
- Provide comprehensive information about your charitable activities and specific funding requirements
- Consider whether to apply directly to this trust or submit a general application for broader exposure across Ludlow's trust portfolio
- Be prepared for variable timelines as decisions are made at trustees' discretion rather than fixed meeting dates
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Broad Remit: The trust operates under general charitable purposes, meaning organizations across various sectors can apply
- Professional Management: Applications are processed through a sophisticated online portal managed by a professional trust company overseeing 250+ trusts
- Rolling Applications: No application deadlines—submit whenever your organization has funding needs
- Family of Trusts: Consider that this is one of three Vassiliou family trusts; applicants may wish to explore whether the sister trusts (Jeannine and Ione Vassiliou Charitable Trusts) might also be appropriate
- Variable Timeline: Be prepared for uncertainty in decision timelines as trustee meetings occur at their discretion
- Small to Medium Scale: With annual expenditure of approximately £66,000, this is a smaller trust likely making grants ranging from hundreds to low thousands of pounds rather than major institutional funding
- Healthcare Precedent: Known support for healthcare organizations suggests openness to medical and care-related charitable work
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Nicka Vassiliou Charitable Trust (Charity No. 1089248). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5305166 [Accessed: January 2025]
- Ludlow Trust Company. “The Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway.” Available at: https://www.ludlowtrust.com/insights/the-ludlow-funding-enquiry-gateway/ [Accessed: January 2025]
- Ludlow Trust Company. “Ludlow Trust acquire HSBC Trust Company (UK) Limited from HSBC UK Bank plc.” Available at: https://www.ludlowtrust.com/insights/ludlow-trust-acquire-hsbc-trust-company-uk-limited-from-hsbc-uk-bank-plc/ [Accessed: January 2025]
- Mildmay Mission Hospital. “Our Donors.” Available at: https://www.mildmay.org/our-donors [Accessed: January 2025]
- Charity Commission financial data for year ending 5 April 2024: Income £49,963, Expenditure £66,261