The Sheepdrove Trust

Charity Number: 328369

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Charity Number: 328369
  • Annual Income: £57,614 (2023)
  • Annual Expenditure: £501,812 (2023)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified (known awards: £11,220 - £24,000)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with particular interest in North Lambeth, London
  • Application Type: Trust-initiated projects (limited open applications)

Contact Details

Address: Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Sheepdrove, Lambourn, Hungerford, West Berkshire RG17 7UU

Email: helen.cravenjones@sheepdrove.com

Phone: 01488 674705

Website: No dedicated trust website (associated with sheepdrove.com)

Overview

The Sheepdrove Trust was established on 9 October 1989 by Peter and Juliet Kindersley, co-founders of pioneering publishing house Dorling Kindersley (DK). The trust operates with a distinctive model, primarily initiating its own projects rather than accepting unsolicited grant applications. The Kindersleys are passionate advocates for organic approaches to solving environmental, social, and economic challenges, having converted their 2,000-acre Sheepdrove Organic Farm to organic practices over 25 years ago.

The trust's financial position shows significant expenditure (£501,812 in 2023) relative to income (£57,614 in 2023), suggesting it operates by spending down assets or using endowment funds to support its charitable work. The trust combines environmental sustainability work with support for educational research and spiritual care, reflecting the founders' wide-ranging philanthropic interests.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Sheepdrove Trust operates through a combination of trust-initiated projects and select partnership programs:

Sheepdrove Trust Scholarship (in partnership with University of the Arts London)

  • £11,220 scholarship for one Home or International student annually
  • Supports MA Textile Design at Chelsea College of Arts
  • Focus on sustainable design for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Application via online form through UAL

Research Partnerships

  • Example: King's College London received £24,000 for a research project (2016-2018)
  • Supports academic research aligned with trust priorities

Priority Areas

The trust supports initiatives across several interconnected themes:

Environmental Sustainability

  • Organic farming and agriculture research
  • Organic seed production and development
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Sustainable food systems
  • Regenerative agriculture practices

Education and Research

  • Educational research related to sustainability
  • Sustainable design and textiles
  • Nutrition research connected to organic farming

Spiritual and End-of-Life Care

  • Spiritual care for the living and dying
  • Hospice and palliative care support

Geographic Priority

  • Particular interest in supporting projects in North Lambeth, London

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions are not publicly listed, the trust's focused approach suggests:

  • Projects unrelated to organic agriculture, sustainability, biodiversity, education, or spiritual care
  • Organizations outside England and Wales
  • Projects that do not align with organic and sustainable principles
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Peter David Kindersley (Co-founder): Environmental campaigner and co-founder of DK publishing house. Led the conversion of Sheepdrove Farm to organic practices over 25 years ago. Peter has been described as passionate about animal welfare and setting up models for sustainable agriculture.
  • Juliet Elizabeth Kindersley (Co-founder): Co-founder of DK publishing house and environmental advocate alongside Peter
  • Anabel Kindersley
  • Barnabas Guy Kindersley
  • Harriet Rose Treuille

The Kindersleys' vision extends beyond traditional grant-making. As noted by Slow Food UK, they are “passionate advocates for organic approaches to solving some of the key environmental, social and economic challenges we face” and have been “active stakeholders in organic farming and processing in both food and non-food sectors through the whole supply chain.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: The Sheepdrove Trust primarily initiates its own projects rather than accepting unsolicited applications. This is explicitly stated in their Charity Commission registration: “The Trust initiates projects.”

For the limited programs that do accept applications:

Sheepdrove Trust Scholarship (UAL):

  • Application via online form on UAL website
  • Guidance notes available in PDF format
  • Must be accepted onto MA Textile Design at Chelsea College of Arts

General Enquiries:

  • Contact: Helen Craven-Jones at helen.cravenjones@sheepdrove.com or 01488 674705
  • Given the trust-initiated model, prospective applicants should make initial contact to discuss alignment before developing full proposals

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines are not publicly available due to the trust-initiated nature of the organization.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The trust's model of initiating projects means traditional application success metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified due to the trust-initiated project model.

Application Success Factors

Given the Sheepdrove Trust's unique approach of initiating projects rather than accepting unsolicited applications, success factors differ from traditional grant-making:

Alignment with Core Values:

  • Deep commitment to organic principles and sustainable agriculture
  • The Kindersleys' work at Sheepdrove Organic Farm demonstrates their standards: Soil Association certified, net-zero emissions through renewable energy, reedbed wastewater systems, and exceptional biodiversity (25 butterfly species, 10 bee species, 6 bat species, 104 bird species including 5 owl types)
  • Projects should embody “organic approaches to solving environmental, social and economic challenges”

Partnership Approach:

  • The trust works through established partnerships (e.g., UAL, King's College London)
  • Building relationships with the trust over time may be more effective than cold applications
  • Demonstrated track record in sustainability research or practice is likely important

Innovation and Research Focus:

  • Interest in research-based projects (organic seed production, nutrition, educational research)
  • Projects that advance knowledge in sustainable agriculture and related fields

Geographic Considerations:

  • Special interest in North Lambeth, London projects that align with trust priorities
  • Operates throughout England and Wales

For the UAL Scholarship:

  • Financial need is a key criterion
  • Outstanding academic potential
  • Commitment to sustainable textile design
  • Demonstration of how sustainable design principles will be central to studies

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship-building is essential: This is not a traditional open grant-maker. Direct contact with Helen Craven-Jones to explore project fit is the recommended approach rather than submitting unsolicited proposals.
  • Trust-initiated model: Understand that the trust prefers to initiate its own projects. Position your organization as a potential partner for trust-led initiatives rather than seeking traditional grant funding.
  • Demonstrate deep organic/sustainability credentials: The Kindersleys' 25+ years of organic farming practice sets a high bar. Projects must authentically embody organic and sustainable principles, not just use them as buzzwords.
  • Research and innovation angle: Projects with a research component, particularly those advancing knowledge in organic agriculture, biodiversity, sustainable design, or related fields, appear most aligned.
  • North Lambeth connection: If your project is based in North Lambeth, London, emphasize this geographic alignment as it's an explicit area of interest.
  • Patience and persistence: With annual expenditure significantly exceeding income (£501,812 vs £57,614), the trust appears to be spending down assets or endowment. Understand their financial model and timing may affect project opportunities.
  • Multiple touchpoints: Consider how your work might intersect with their interests at Sheepdrove Farm, their educational partnerships, or their spiritual care work to create multiple points of connection.

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