The Pointer Family Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £322,408
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Variable - dependent on trustee meeting schedules
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Website: https://funding.ludlowtrust.com

Phone: 01173 138200

Email: charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com

Address: Tower Wharf, Cheese Lane, Bristol, BS2 0JJ

Overview

The Pointer Family Trust was registered as a charity on 28 September 2009 and operates as a discretionary grant-making trust with broad charitable purposes. The trust is managed by Ludlow Trust Company Ltd alongside individual trustees Janet Pointer and David James Pointer. With an annual income of approximately £343,000 and expenditure of over £322,000, the trust makes grants to organizations serving the general public across England and Wales. The trust is part of Ludlow Trust Company's portfolio of 400+ charitable trusts, all accessible through their innovative Funding Enquiry Gateway platform launched in September 2023. This platform has facilitated over 17,000 applications and matched in excess of £5 million in donations since launch.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Pointer Family Trust operates through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway, accepting applications on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. Applications are submitted via the online portal at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com.

Priority Areas

The trust has very broad charitable objectives: “To further such objects or purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales.” This gives trustees significant discretion to support a wide range of charitable causes serving the general public across all charitable sectors.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, given the trust's general charitable purposes. However, as with all UK charitable trusts, grants must be for exclusively charitable purposes according to English and Welsh law.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Ludlow Trust Company Ltd (Corporate Trustee) - Appointed 06 April 2021, professional trust company managing 400+ charitable trusts
• Janet Pointer (Individual Trustee)
• David James Pointer (Individual Trustee)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Pointer Family Trust accepts applications exclusively through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com. The process involves:

1. Registration: UK registered charities, exempt charities, Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee, and community groups can register on the portal
2. Application Submission: Submit information about your organization and the specific work requiring funding
3. Matching: The platform uses an algorithm to match your application to relevant trusts within Ludlow's portfolio
4. Review Process: Applications are checked by Ludlow Trust Managers before being forwarded to trustees
5. Trustee Decision: Applications are shared with trustees at times they request to make funding decisions

Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are variable and depend on individual trustee meeting schedules. There are no fixed deadlines or guaranteed response times.

Success Rates

While specific success rates for The Pointer Family Trust are not published, the broader Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway has received over 17,000 applications since September 2023 and has facilitated over £5 million in grants.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions are documented. Given the rolling application system, unsuccessful applicants may reasonably reapply, particularly if their project evolves or circumstances change.

Application Success Factors

• Clear charitable purpose: Applications should clearly demonstrate charitable benefit to the general public under English and Welsh charity law
• Detailed project information: The platform emphasizes providing comprehensive details about your charitable purposes, specific areas of focus, and intended impact
• Professional presentation: Applications are initially reviewed by professional Trust Managers at Ludlow before reaching trustees
• Use of the Gateway platform: The trust exclusively uses the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway - this is the only way to apply
• Broad but focused approach: While the trust can fund any charitable purpose, applications should be specific about funding needs and expected outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Use the Ludlow Gateway exclusively - this is the only way to apply, and the platform can match your application to multiple trusts simultaneously
• Be patient with timelines - decisions are at trustee discretion with no fixed schedule
• Broad eligibility - the trust's general charitable purposes mean virtually any legitimate charitable work could be considered
• Professional administration - Ludlow Trust Company provides robust governance and professional management
• Rolling applications - you can apply at any time, removing pressure of fixed deadlines
• No cost to apply - the gateway is free for charities to use
• Consider multiple trusts - by applying through the gateway, you gain potential access to 400+ charitable trusts

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Joyce Lomax Bullock Charitable Trust
• THE PAMELA EDMUNDSON/CONNOLLY CHARITABLE TRUST
• A J H Ashby Will Trust
• THE MACKAY AND BREWER CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE MISS J K STIRRUP CHARITY TRUST
• THE NICKA VASSILIOU CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Taylor-Marsh Foundation
• The Kathleen Smith Foundation
• THE BLYTH CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE CORTON HILL TRUST

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The Pointer Family Trust (Charity Number 1131857). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1131857 [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 Funding Enquiry Gateway Application Portal. Available at: https://funding.ludlowtrust.com [Accessed: January 2025]