The Ofenheim Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 286525

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website:None maintained

Phone:01908 687800

Email:Not

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £568,072 (2023-24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Decisions made at annual trustee meeting
  • Grant Range: £2,500 - £14,000 (majority £2,500 - £6,000)
  • Geographic Focus: East Sussex (primary), England and Wales (broader)

Contact Details

Address: RSM, The Pinnacle, 170 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 1BP

Phone: 01908 687800

Website: None maintained

Email: Not publicly available

Note: Contact RSM directly to enquire about applications

Overview

The Ofenheim Charitable Trust was established by trust deed on 2 February 1983 (with supplemental deed dated 20 May 1983) as a grant-making charity. The Trust operates through an endowment fund generating investment income, which the trustees distribute to charitable bodies across the UK. With total income of £564,917 and charitable expenditure of £568,072 in the year ending March 2024, the Trust maintains a clear policy of distributing all income within a reasonable period of receipt. The Trust particularly focuses on supporting registered charities based and working in East Sussex, though it operates throughout England and Wales. The Trust supports a wide range of charitable causes including health, disability, accommodation/housing, arts/culture/heritage/science, and environment/conservation/heritage, benefiting children, young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, and other charitable bodies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program with flexible funding parameters:

  • General Charitable Grants: £2,500 - £14,000 (with the majority of grants between £2,500 - £6,000)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis - charities can apply at any time
  • Decision Making: Distributions primarily decided at annual trustees' meeting

Priority Areas

The Trust makes grants to charities for a wide range of charitable purposes, with documented support for:

  • The advancement of health or saving of lives
  • Disability services and support
  • Accommodation and housing
  • Arts, culture, heritage, and science
  • Environment, conservation, and heritage

Beneficiary Groups:

  • Children and young people
  • Elderly people
  • People with disabilities
  • Other charities or voluntary bodies

The Trust has a demonstrated track record of supporting national organizations including the Royal College of Music and Help Musicians.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The Trust's policy is to distribute income to charitable bodies to use at their discretion, suggesting a flexible approach to funding decisions.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is governed by five trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity:

  1. Stephen Barber (appointed 25 September 2024) - Also trustee of International Tree Foundation
  2. Fiona Caroline Byrd
  3. Rory McLeod
  4. Roger Jackson Clark FCA - Also trustee of The Two R's Charitable Trust, The Hawthorne Charitable Trust, Honor Frost Foundation, and Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation
  5. Dr Alexander Simon Clark - Also trustee of The Two R's Charitable Trust

The presence of Roger Jackson Clark FCA (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants) indicates strong financial oversight, while the trustees' involvement with multiple charitable organizations suggests broad philanthropic experience and networks within the charitable sector.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • No Website: The Trust does not maintain a website or online application portal
  • Contact Method: Applications must be submitted by contacting RSM at the Milton Keynes address
  • Application Windows: Rolling basis - charities can apply at any time
  • Application Requirements: Not publicly specified - contact the Trust directly for application guidelines and requirements

Decision Timeline

  • Meeting Schedule: Decisions about distributions are made by trustees primarily at their annual meeting
  • Processing Time: Not publicly specified, but dependent on annual meeting cycle
  • Notification Methods: Not publicly documented

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust distributed approximately £568,072 in charitable grants during 2023-24, but the number of applications received and grants awarded is not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Applicants should enquire directly with the Trust regarding reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

While the Trust does not publish specific guidance for applicants, the following factors emerge from their operational approach:

Key Alignment Factors:

  • The Trust's stated objective is “to distribute its income to charitable bodies to use at their discretion,” suggesting they favour unrestricted or core funding requests
  • Strong preference for charities “based and working in East Sussex,” though England and Wales charities are eligible
  • The Trust maintains a policy of distributing all income “within a reasonable period of its receipt,” indicating active grantmaking

Operational Considerations:

  • The Trust operates from an endowment fund generating investment income
  • No trading subsidiaries exist, keeping operations focused on grantmaking
  • All trustees serve without remuneration, suggesting commitment to maximizing charitable impact

Application Approach:

  • Given the absence of a website and published guidelines, initial contact should be professional and concise
  • Applications should clearly demonstrate charitable status and East Sussex connections where applicable
  • Grant requests should fall within the typical range of £2,500 - £6,000 for highest likelihood of fit

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic priority: Strongest fit for registered charities based and working in East Sussex, though broader England and Wales charities are considered
  • Grant size: Target requests between £2,500 - £6,000 for optimal alignment with typical grant range
  • Unrestricted funding: The Trust's policy of giving “charitable bodies to use at their discretion” suggests openness to core/unrestricted funding requests
  • Timing: Applications accepted year-round, but decisions primarily made at annual trustees' meeting - plan accordingly
  • No website: Direct contact with RSM required - prepare professional written application without online portal support
  • Broad remit: Wide range of charitable causes supported - diverse organizations should consider applying
  • Track record: Has supported national organizations like Royal College of Music and Help Musicians, suggesting no upper limit on organizational size or profile

Similar Funders

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References