The St Aubyn Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £56,400 (grants to institutions, year ended 5 April 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Estimated £1,000 - £5,000 (based on example grants)
• Geographic Focus: West Cornwall
• Registered Charity Number: 268173
• Total Assets: £895,525 (as of 5 April 2024)

Contact Details

Address: Estate Office, King's Road, Marazion, Cornwall, TR17 0EL

Phone: 01736 710507

Email: accounts@staubynestates.com

Website: https://staubynestates.com/st-aubyn-foundation/

Education Officer (for school partnerships): Kerry Rice - kerry.rice@staubynestates.com

Overview

The St Aubyn Foundation, registered in 1974 (formerly The St Michael's Mount Foundation), is the principal charitable entity for the St Aubyn family, who have owned property in Cornwall since the 13th century. Based at the historic St Michael's Mount, the Foundation focuses exclusively on supporting charities and Community Interest Companies in West Cornwall that make a positive impact on people's lives. With net assets of £895,525 and annual grant-giving of £56,400 (year ended 5 April 2024), the Foundation has supported 45 local organizations over the past five years. The Foundation operates a dedicated Learning Hub on St Michael's Mount and maintains strong partnerships with schools, galleries, and community organizations across the region. The name was changed from The St Michael's Mount Foundation to The St Aubyn Foundation to avoid confusion, as most of St Michael's Mount is owned by the National Trust while the St Aubyn family retains management responsibilities under a unique partnership arrangement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation offers two distinct funding approaches:

• One-Off Project Grants: Support for specific projects with clear outcomes
• Three-Year Giving Programme: Sustained funding for organizations over a three-year period

Known Grant Examples:

• Growing Links, Penzance: £2,500 for solar electric installation in garden kitchen and volunteer hut
• Multiple educational partnerships with local schools and Penwith College
• Support for community exhibitions at Penlee House Gallery & Museum
• West Cornwall Primary School Book Festival sponsorship

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on organizations and projects that:

• Support education and learning opportunities for children and young people
• Promote environmental sustainability and resilience
• Strengthen local food systems and community wellbeing
• Advance arts, culture, and heritage in West Cornwall
• Bring communities together through collaborative projects
• Create positive social impact in West Cornwall communities

Educational Focus: The Foundation maintains a dedicated Learning Hub on St Michael's Mount, led by Education Officer Kerry Rice, offering year-round programmes of visits, learning projects, activities and events in partnership with schools and community groups across Cornwall. They also offer short-term voluntary work placements for Year 10 students and older.

What They Don't Fund

• Sponsorship or grants to individuals or groups
• Projects involving the renovation or repair of buildings
• Organizations outside West Cornwall

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a Trust Deed dated 27 February 1974 and is managed by two trustees:

Trustees:

• Lord James St Levan (James Piers Southwell St Aubyn, 5th Baron St Levan) - Appointed 2012. Succeeded to the family title in 2013. Lives at St Michael's Mount with his family and manages the Estate in partnership with the National Trust.
• Lady Mary St Levan - Appointed 2015. Co-trustee and active in the Foundation's charitable work.

The charity is small and managed exclusively by these two trustees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Foundation benefits from the St Aubyn family's deep-rooted connection to Cornwall, with the family having owned property in the county since the 13th century and St Michael's Mount since 1659.

Key Staff:

• Kerry Rice, Education Officer - Heads the Learning Hub at St Michael's Mount. Brings extensive experience including 10 years of teaching at a local primary school and 20 years as Learning Curator at Tate St Ives.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Local charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs) can apply to be supported for particular one-off projects or on a three-year giving programme. However, the Foundation does not appear to have a formal online application portal or published application guidelines on their website.

Application Contact: Based on available information, interested organizations should contact the Foundation directly:

• Email: accounts@staubynestates.com
• Phone: 01736 710507

For educational partnerships or school-related projects, contact:

• Kerry Rice, Education Officer: kerry.rice@staubynestates.com

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the small trustee base (two trustees), decisions may be made relatively quickly, but specific timeframes are not advertised.

Success Rates

The Foundation has awarded grants to 45 local organizations over the past five years. With total grant expenditure of £56,400 in the year ended 5 April 2024, the Foundation appears selective in its grant-making. Success rates and total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed. However, the availability of three-year giving programmes suggests the Foundation is open to sustained relationships with grant recipients.

Application Success Factors

While the Foundation does not publish detailed application guidance, several factors emerge from their grant-making patterns:

Geographic Specificity: The Foundation's focus on West Cornwall is absolute. Organizations must demonstrate clear benefit to West Cornwall communities. Proximity to the Mount or the historic Marazion area may be advantageous given the family's roots.

Community Impact: The Foundation explicitly seeks organizations that “make a positive difference” and "make a positive impact on people's lives." Applications should clearly articulate tangible community benefits with measurable outcomes.

Collaborative Approach: The Foundation's partnerships demonstrate preference for projects that bring communities together. Their support for initiatives like the West Cornwall Primary School Book Festival and community-curated exhibitions at Penlee House shows appreciation for collaborative, multi-partner projects.

Sustainability Focus: The Growing Links grant for solar installation suggests interest in environmental sustainability and projects with long-term financial or environmental benefits (the solar panels were projected to generate £5,000 in savings over 10 years).

Educational Value: With a dedicated Education Officer and Learning Hub, educational projects and initiatives benefiting children and young people appear particularly aligned with the Foundation's interests. Projects that complement their existing educational programmes or extend learning opportunities may be viewed favorably.

Heritage and Culture: The Foundation's involvement in exhibitions, arts projects, and cultural activities reflects the St Aubyn family's stewardship of historic St Michael's Mount. Projects connecting heritage, culture, and community may resonate with trustees.

No Building Projects: The explicit exclusion of renovation or repair projects suggests preference for programmatic work, community activities, and initiatives with direct human benefit rather than capital improvements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• West Cornwall focus is non-negotiable - Ensure your organization operates in and clearly benefits West Cornwall communities
• Think collaborative and community-building - Projects that bring groups together or create partnerships appear particularly attractive
• Educational projects are favored - With dedicated educational infrastructure, learning-focused initiatives align well with Foundation priorities
• Sustainability and long-term impact matter - Demonstrate how your project creates lasting benefit beyond the immediate funding period
• Small, focused trust - With only two trustees and approximately 9 grants per year (based on 45 over 5 years), competition is likely significant
• No building work - Focus applications on programmatic activities, community engagement, and people-focused initiatives
• Consider the three-year programme - For sustainable projects needing longer-term support, the three-year giving programme may be more appropriate than one-off funding
• Connect with Kerry Rice for educational projects - If your project involves schools or young people, establish contact with the Education Officer who may advocate internally
• Leverage the St Aubyn family's heritage focus - Projects connecting Cornwall's history, landscape, or cultural identity may resonate with trustees' values

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Duke of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation
• The Martin Laing Foundation
• Triodos Foundation
• Isle of Wight Foundation
• Focus Foundation
• Exeter Chiefs Foundation
• Fonthill Foundation
• The Dixie Educational Foundation
• THE NORMAN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Elmgrant Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - The St Aubyn Foundation (268173): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/268173/
• St Aubyn Estates - St Aubyn Foundation page: https://staubynestates.com/st-aubyn-foundation/
• St Aubyn Estates - St Aubyn Foundation supports Growing Links: https://staubynestates.com/st-aubyn-foundation-supports-growing-links/
• St Michael's Mount - Where Learning Comes to Life: https://stmichaelsmount.co.uk/news/st-michaels-mount-where-learning-comes-to-life/
• St Aubyn Estates - The Shape of Things exhibition: https://staubynestates.com/the-shape-of-things-our-place-in-a-changing-climate/
• Giving is Great - The St Aubyn Foundation Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=268173
• St Michael's Mount - Schools & Learning: https://stmichaelsmount.co.uk/plan-your-visit/schools-learning/
• Wikipedia - St Michael's Mount: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Michael's_Mount
• St Michael's Mount - St Aubyn Family & National Trust: https://stmichaelsmount.co.uk/about-us/

All sources.