The Rest-harrow Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £98,304 (2025)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling applications)
• Grant Range: £100 - £2,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (plus occasional overseas aid)
• Registered Charity Number: 238042

Contact Details

Address: BDB Pitmans LLP, 1 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7BL

Telephone: 020 7783 3685

Website: None

Email: Not provided

Note: Applications should be made in writing. The Trust does not have a website, but information is available on the Charity Commission website.

Overview

The Rest-Harrow Trust was established on 3 February 1965 and is celebrating its 60th anniversary as a grant-making charity. The Trust specialises in making a large number of micro-grants to registered charities throughout England and Wales for general charitable purposes, at the discretion of the Trustees. With an annual expenditure of £98,304 (financial year ending 5 April 2025) and income of £94,365, the Trust focuses on making numerous small grants rather than a few large awards. The charity is administered by BDB Pitmans LLP, a law firm providing trust management services, and operates without a website or formal online presence, maintaining a traditional, discretionary approach to grant-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single, rolling grant program:

• Micro-Grants Programme: £100 - £2,000 (typically £100 or £200)
• Applications accepted at any time (rolling basis)
• Large number of grants awarded annually
• Occasional larger grants up to £2,000 for specific needs

Priority Areas

The Trust's main areas of interest include:

• Disability - Primary focus area listed by the Charity Commission
• Education and Training - Supporting learning opportunities
• Health and the Saving of Lives - Medical and health-related projects
• Overseas Aid and Famine Relief - International humanitarian work
• The Prevention or Relief of Poverty - Supporting disadvantaged communities

Beneficiary Groups

The Trust particularly supports:

• Children and young people
• Elderly/older people
• People with disabilities
• People of a particular ethnic or racial origin
• Other charities or voluntary bodies

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not detailed in public information, but the Trust only makes grants to registered charities in England and Wales (plus occasional overseas aid projects), suggesting:

• Individuals cannot apply
• Unregistered organisations are not eligible
• Projects outside England and Wales (except overseas humanitarian work) are unlikely to be funded

Ready to write a winning application for The Rest-harrow Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is governed by three trustees:

1. Janet Beryl Bloch (Chair)
2. Owen Benedict Byrne (Trustee) - Partner in the Private Wealth team at BDB Pitmans LLP
3. Judith Susan Portrait (Trustee)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made in writing at any time to:

The Rest-Harrow Trust

BDB Pitmans LLP

1 Bartholomew Close

London EC1A 7BL

Or call: 020 7783 3685 for guidance

Important Notes:

• The Trust operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines
• Only registered charities in England and Wales are eligible
• The Trust does not have a website or online application portal
• Applications are considered at the discretion of the Trustees
• Written applications can be submitted by post at any time

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timeframes are not publicly stated. As the Trust makes numerous micro-grants throughout the year on a rolling basis, decisions are likely made regularly, but applicants should allow reasonable time for trustee consideration.

Success Rates

The Trust does not publish specific success rate data. However, the Trust's stated purpose of making “a large number of micro-grants” suggests they approve numerous applications annually from their total expenditure of approximately £98,304.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated in public information. Given the discretionary nature of the Trust and rolling application system, it appears unsuccessful applicants may reapply, but specific timeframes or restrictions are not documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and structure:

Alignment with Core Interests: The Trust's primary focus is on disability-related projects, followed by education, health, poverty relief, and overseas aid. Applications that clearly align with these areas, particularly disability, are likely to be prioritised.

Small-Scale, Specific Requests: The Trust specialises in micro-grants of £100-£200, with occasional awards up to £2,000. Applications should request modest amounts for specific, well-defined projects or needs rather than large-scale funding.

Registered Charity Status: Only registered charities in England and Wales (plus occasional overseas aid organisations) are eligible. Applications must be from organisations with current Charity Commission registration.

Clear Beneficiary Focus: The Trust prioritises support for children, young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, and people from particular ethnic or racial backgrounds. Applications should clearly articulate how these groups will benefit.

Written Clarity: As applications must be made in writing without online forms or guidance, clarity, brevity, and professionalism in written communication are essential. Include all necessary information about the charity, project, beneficiaries, and requested amount.

Discretionary Nature: With decisions made at trustee discretion and no public criteria beyond the broad charitable areas, applications should present compelling cases for support that demonstrate genuine charitable need and effective use of funds.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think small: This Trust specialises in micro-grants of £100-£200, with £2,000 as the upper limit - don't request large amounts or expect multi-year funding
• Disability focus: While the Trust supports general charitable purposes, disability is listed as the primary area of interest on the Charity Commission register
• Traditional process: With no website, email, or online forms, prepare well-written postal applications that are clear, concise, and professional
• Rolling opportunities: Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year, so don't wait for specific deadlines
• Registered charities only: Ensure your organisation has current Charity Commission registration before applying
• High volume approach: The Trust makes a large number of small grants, suggesting a relatively open approach to funding diverse charitable causes within their priority areas
• 60 years of service: The Trust is celebrating six decades of grant-making, indicating stability and long-term commitment to supporting charities

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• BBC Children in Need
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The London Community Foundation
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• The Cecil Rosen Foundation
• THE FEBRUARY FOUNDATION
• THE HDH WILLS 1965 CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Goodman Foundation
• The Balcombe Charitable Trust
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• THE LINDER FOUNDATION
• Suffolk Community Foundation
• The Dyers' Company Charitable Trust
• The Invesco Cares Foundation
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• THE JAMES WISE CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
• CROYDON BME FORUM

References

• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/238042
• Bath and North East Somerset Council Funding Directory: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/90170
• Find that Charity: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-238042
• Charity Choice Directory: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-rest-harrow-trust-171672
• Neighbourhood Network Hull: https://www.nnetwork.org.uk/news/rest-harrow-trust/