The Perry Family Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £53,000 (expenditure 2024)
• Annual Income: £17,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Small grants (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: West Midlands (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire)

Contact Details

Address: Bridges Stone Mill, Bridges Stone, Alfrick WR6 5HR

Phone: 01886 833290

Email: Perrytrust@aol.com

Website: No dedicated website available

The trust does not appear to have online application portals or pre-application support services. Contact should be made directly via email or phone.

Overview

The Perry Family Charitable Trust was established by declaration of trust on 9 October 2002 and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1094675). The trust provides small grants to meet special needs and to support education, training and the arts in the West Midlands. The trust is chaired by Sir Michael Perry GBE, former Chairman of Unilever plc, who led the company through significant expansion from 1992 to 1995. The trust operates with four trustees and no paid staff, maintaining a lean operational structure focused on direct grant-making. In the year ending March 2024, the trust distributed £53,000 in grants despite income of only £17,000, demonstrating active use of reserves to support beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program providing small grants across multiple charitable objectives. Specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, but the trust describes its grants as “small” in nature.

Applications appear to be accepted on a rolling basis through direct contact with the trustees.

Priority Areas

Social Welfare:

• Relief of need, hardship or distress for persons resident in the West Midlands
• Support for persons residing at or receiving care in hospices or homes for those who are handicapped, terminally ill, elderly, sick, convalescent, disabled, or in financial need

Education:

• Education (including social and physical training) of children attending schools in the West Midlands
• Scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries, or maintenance allowances for persons under 25 years of age who are residents of the West Midlands or have attended educational establishments there for at least three years
• Youth development through provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure-time occupation

Arts:

• Support for the arts in the West Midlands, particularly by making grants to institutions
• Promotion of public exhibitions, lectures, concerts, recitals and other cultural events

Beneficiary Groups:

• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• People with disabilities
• Other charitable organizations

What They Don't Fund

The trust operates exclusively within the West Midlands region (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire). Applications from organizations or individuals outside this geographic area will not be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Sir Michael Perry GBE (Chair)

Former Chairman of Unilever plc (1992-1995), where he served for 38 years total, the last 10 as a director. Under his leadership, Unilever expanded significantly into skin care and prestige fragrance markets with major acquisitions including Chesebrough-Pond's ($4.2 billion, 1986) and Arden and Calvin Klein Cosmetics ($2 billion, 1989). Educated at St John's College, Oxford, with a degree in Russian and French. Received OBE in 1978, CBE in 1980, and was later knighted. Also served as Chairman of Centrica (1997-2004), the Leverhulme Trust, and the Shakespeare Globe Trust. Additionally serves as trustee of Alfrick and Lulsley Village Hall and Dyson Perrins Museum Trust.

Lady Joan Mary Perry (Trustee)

No other trusteeships on public record.

Carolyn Clare Eyton (Trustee)

No other trusteeships on public record.

William Brian Stallard (Trustee)

Also serves as trustee of Queen Elizabeth Almshouses and Worcester Lodge No 280 Bicentenary Choral Foundation Scholarship.

Trustee Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Trading Subsidiaries: The charity operates no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The trust does not have a formal online application portal or published application guidelines. Prospective applicants should contact the trust directly:

• By email: Perrytrust@aol.com
• By phone: 01886 833290
• By post: Bridges Stone Mill, Bridges Stone, Alfrick WR6 5HR

Given the small size of the trust and absence of paid staff, written applications by email or post are likely to be the most appropriate initial approach. Applicants should clearly articulate their connection to the West Midlands region and how their project aligns with the trust's charitable objectives.

Decision Timeline

The trust does not publicly disclose typical decision timeframes. Given the small trustee board and absence of paid staff, applicants should allow adequate time for consideration and should not assume rapid turnaround.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The trust's financial records indicate limited detailed reporting (Part B annual return not required by the Charity Commission), meaning granular data about number of applications received versus grants awarded is not in the public domain.

Reapplication Policy

The trust does not publish a reapplication policy. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the trustees directly to inquire about whether and when reapplication would be appropriate.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information available about the trust's grant-making decisions and application preferences, applicants should focus on the following strategies:

Geographic Alignment: The trust operates exclusively in the West Midlands (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire). Ensure your organization or project has a clear and demonstrable connection to this region. For individual applicants seeking educational support, be prepared to document residency or attendance at educational establishments in the region for at least three years.

Clear Articulation of Need: The trust's founding documents emphasize relief of “need, hardship or distress.” Applications should clearly articulate the specific need being addressed and how a grant would provide relief or support.

Small-Scale Projects: The trust explicitly describes its grants as “small” and had total expenditure of £53,000 in 2024. Applicants should tailor their requests accordingly, focusing on modest, achievable projects rather than large-scale initiatives.

Alignment with Multiple Objectives: Projects that span multiple charitable objectives (e.g., education and social welfare, or arts and youth development) may be particularly attractive given the trust's broad charitable purposes.

Direct and Personal Approach: With only four trustees and no paid staff, the trust operates on a personal, relationship-based model. Direct communication with trustees, clear and concise applications, and patience with response times will be important.

Cultural and Educational Focus: The trust has specific interest in supporting the arts (exhibitions, lectures, concerts, recitals) and education (including social and physical training) in the West Midlands. Projects with strong cultural or educational components may be well-positioned.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geography is Non-Negotiable: The trust operates exclusively in the West Midlands. Only apply if your organization or project has genuine connection to Herefordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, or Worcestershire.

• Think Small: This is a modest trust distributing small grants. Tailor your request to realistic amounts and ensure you can make strong impact with limited funding.

• No Online Portal: Unlike many modern funders, this trust requires direct contact via traditional channels (email, phone, post). Prepare for a more personal, less standardized application process.

• Limited Public Information: The trust does not publish detailed grant-making information, application guidelines, or beneficiary lists. Be prepared to inquire directly about application requirements and processes.

• Distinguished Leadership: The trust is chaired by a prominent business leader with significant charitable sector experience. Applications demonstrating strategic thinking and good governance may resonate with this leadership.

• Volunteer-Led Organization: With no paid staff, expect decision-making to reflect the personal involvement and interests of the trustees. The application process may take time, and building relationships could be valuable.

• Broad Charitable Scope: The trust's wide range of charitable objectives (social welfare, education, arts, youth) provides multiple entry points for applicants. Identify the strongest alignment for your project but don't hesitate to highlight how it serves multiple objectives.

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Perry Family Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1094675). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1094675&subid=0 (Accessed: January 2025)

• Charity Commission Trustee Information - The Perry Family Charitable Trust. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3994497/trustees (Accessed: January 2025)

• Giving is Great - The Perry Family Charitable Trust Factsheet. Available at: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1094675 (Accessed: January 2025)

• Wikipedia - Michael Sydney Perry. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sydney_Perry (Accessed: January 2025)

• St John's College, Oxford - Sir Michael Perry. Available at: https://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/discover/people/sir-michael-perry/ (Accessed: January 2025)