The Pilmuir Estate

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £110,000 - £140,000
• Success Rate: Not available (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not published
• Grant Range: Not disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Devon only

Contact Details

• Email: Tim.Lannin@pkf-francisclark.co.uk
• Phone: 01803 293773
• Website: None
• Administrative Support: PKF Francis Clark, Sigma House, Oak View Close, Torquay TQ2 7FF

Overview

The Pilmuir Estate is a private grant-making charity established in 2016 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), focused exclusively on supporting charitable bodies in Devon. With annual grant distributions between £110,000 and £140,000, the charity operates through trustee discretion to relieve sickness, poor health, old age, and poverty amongst Devon residents. Operating without any paid staff, The Pilmuir Estate is administered through PKF Francis Clark, a regional accountancy firm with expertise in charity management. The charity maintains a low public profile with no website or published grant guidelines.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The charity operates a single discretionary grant programme distributing £110,000-£140,000 annually to charitable organisations. No specific grant streams or amounts are publicly disclosed.

Priority Areas

• Relief of sickness and poor health
• Support for elderly and ageing populations
• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Health advancement initiatives in Devon

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations outside Devon
• Individual beneficiaries (grants go to charitable bodies only)
• Non-charitable organisations

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by six volunteer trustees with strong local Devon connections. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Administrative support is provided by Tim Lannin, Director at PKF Francis Clark, who serves as the primary contact for the charity. PKF Francis Clark manages well over 200 charity and not-for-profit clients.

Key Trustee Information

Ashley Bevans is one of the trustees and is a Partner at Wollens Solicitors, specialising in commercial property. Based in the Torquay office, he serves as trustee for a youth sailing trust in addition to The Pilmuir Estate, and works extensively with hotels, leisure businesses, and charities in the Torbay area.

How to Apply to The Pilmuir Estate

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, likely based on existing relationships and knowledge of Devon's charitable sector. Organisations seeking funding must make contact through the administrative email (Tim.Lannin@pkf-francisclark.co.uk) or through trustee connections.

Getting on Their Radar

• Ashley Bevans, a trustee, works extensively with hotels, leisure businesses, and charities in the Torbay area and serves on charity boards including a youth sailing trust
• PKF Francis Clark, the administrative firm, works with well over 200 charities and could potentially facilitate introductions for suitable Devon-based organisations
• Organisations operating in Torquay and South Devon may have better access given the administrative base and trustee locations

Decision Timeline

Not published - decisions appear to be made at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

No data available as there is no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the discretionary nature of grant-making.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this trust, success factors are inferred from available information:

• Strong Devon credentials and local impact are essential
• Clear alignment with health, ageing, or poverty relief objectives
• Existing relationships with trustees or PKF Francis Clark may be advantageous
• Projects in South Devon/Torbay area may have stronger connections through trustee networks
• Health-related initiatives may resonate given the charity's focus on relieving sickness and poor health

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Pilmuir Estate is a relationship-based funder requiring strategic networking rather than traditional applications
• Focus exclusively on Devon-based charitable organisations - geographic restriction is strict
• Annual grant pot of £110,000-£140,000 suggests capacity for substantial grants
• Building relationships with PKF Francis Clark or trustee Ashley Bevans (through Wollens Solicitors) may provide access routes
• The charity's low profile means many Devon organisations may be unaware of this funding source
• Health, ageing, and poverty relief projects have the strongest alignment with charitable objects
• Consider approaching through sector networks where trustees are already engaged

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Viscount Amory's Charitable Trust
• The David Gibbons Foundation
• Knowle United Charity
• Lara Atkin Charitable Foundation
• The Norman Family Charitable Trust
• The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust
• The Archie Sherman Cardiff Foundation
• The Clare Milne Trust
• The Albert Van Den Bergh Charitable Trust
• The M T And S D Burton Charitable Settlement

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for The Pilmuir Estate (1167275)
• PKF Francis Clark website - charity sector expertise information and Tim Lannin profile
• Wollens Solicitors website - Ashley Bevans profile
• Charity Commission Trustee Register for charity 1167275