The Pople Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £306,226 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Small and large grants available (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire

Contact Details

Email: poplecharitabletrust@gmail.com

Phone: 0117 974 4471

Address: Clifton, Bristol

Charity Number: 1063231

The trust does not maintain a website and operates through written applications.

Overview

Founded in July 1997, The Pople Charitable Trust is a family-based grant-making trust with offices in Clifton, Bristol. With an annual income of £345,457 and total expenditure of £306,226 (year ending April 2025), the trust supports charitable organisations across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. The trust focuses on three main areas: enabling children to receive high-calibre educational training and appropriate facilities, providing facilities for elderly and vulnerable people, and supporting the maintenance of heritage and listed buildings. Governed by five family trustees, the Pople family maintains a traditional approach to grant-making with a rolling application process and discretionary decision-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust offers both small and large grants for charitable organisations, though specific amounts are not publicly disclosed. Funding is awarded at the discretion of the trustees on a rolling basis.

Application Method: Rolling basis, written applications accepted at any time

Priority Areas

• Education and Youth: Assisting children to receive “high calibre educational training” and providing appropriate educational facilities for young people
• Elderly Care: Providing facilities for needy elderly persons and children, supporting those with disabilities
• Heritage Conservation: Maintenance and preservation of heritage and listed buildings
• Community Development: Supporting projects that benefit young people, older people, and those who are disabled

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the trust focuses on organisations operating within their geographic coverage area (Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire).

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by five trustees, all members of the Pople family:

• David Jeremy Pople (Chair) - Appointed February 2013, also trustee of Dolphin Society
• Richard Clive Pople (Trustee) - Appointed February 2013
• Nicola Jane Pople (Trustee) - Appointed February 2013
• Christopher John Pople (Trustee) - Appointed February 2013, also trustee of The Oxwich Charitable Trust
• Patricia Anne Pople (Trustee)

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and operates without trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made at any time in writing to the trust. The Pople Charitable Trust does not maintain a website or online application portal. Applications should be submitted in writing via post or email.

Contact for applications:

• Email: poplecharitabletrust@gmail.com
• Phone: 0117 974 4471

The trust operates a traditional, paper-based application system with decisions made at the discretion of the trustees.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, applicants should contact the trust directly for guidance on expected timeframes.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Geographic alignment is essential: The trust only funds organisations operating in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. Applications from outside these areas will not be considered.

Focus on their three core priorities: Successful applications clearly align with at least one of the trust's three priority areas - education/youth, elderly care/disability support, or heritage building conservation.

Demonstrate high-quality outcomes: The trust's emphasis on “high calibre educational training” suggests they value quality and excellence in delivery. Applications should emphasize the calibre of provision and outcomes achieved.

Local impact matters: As a Bristol-based family trust supporting the local area, demonstrating tangible local impact and community benefit is likely to strengthen applications.

Clear facility or capital needs: The trust's language around “providing appropriate facilities” and “maintenance of heritage and listed buildings” suggests they may be particularly interested in facility-based projects or capital needs rather than purely operational costs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Pople Charitable Trust is a family-run trust with a traditional approach to grant-making - expect personal, discretionary decision-making rather than formal scoring criteria
• Geographic location is non-negotiable: only organisations operating in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire are eligible
• Both small and large grants are available, giving the trust flexibility to support projects of varying scales
• Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis - there are no fixed deadlines to work toward
• The trust has supported notable local organisations including the Royal West of England Academy and 224 Youth Zone, indicating capacity for both cultural heritage and youth service projects
• With no website or online presence, building a direct relationship through written correspondence and phone contact is the path to funding
• The trust values education, elderly care, and heritage preservation - applications should clearly articulate how they advance one or more of these priorities

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust
• Spielman Charitable Trust
• The Nisbet Trust
• The Portishead Nautical Trust
• John James Bristol Foundation
• Sir John and Lady Heathcoat Amory's Charitable Trust
• The Brownsword Charitable Foundation
• The Roper Family Charitable Trust
• The Ralph and Irma Sperring Charity
• The Merchant Venturers Charity

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The Pople Charitable Trust (Charity No. 1063231): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1063231
• Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Pople Charitable Trust Small and Large Grants: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86772
• Royal West of England Academy - Trusts and Foundations: https://www.rwa.org.uk/pages/trusts-and-foundations
• UK Charity Commission - Trustee information for The Pople Charitable Trust: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3036338/trustees