The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £475,000 (most recent available data)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: At trustee discretion
- Grant Range: Not publicly specified
- Geographic Focus: No geographic restrictions (England and Wales law applies, but grants can be made internationally)
Contact Details
Address: c/o Ludlow Trust Company Limited, Tower Wharf, Cheese Lane, Bristol, BS2 0JJ
Email: charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com
Phone: 0117 313 8200
Charity Number: 1124867
Overview
The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust was established in 2008 under a trust deed and is registered with the UK Charity Commission (charity number 1124867). The trust is managed by Ludlow Trust Company Limited alongside individual trustees Mr Lindsay Tomlinson and Mrs Sarah Tomlinson, who are the settlors. With an expendable endowment fund of approximately £3.7 million, the trust significantly increased its grant-making activity from £112,840 in 2021 to £475,000 in 2022, demonstrating a commitment to expanding charitable impact. The trust operates with very broad charitable purposes, giving trustees complete discretion to support any charitable cause according to the law of England and Wales, anywhere in the world. This is a private family charitable trust with a focused approach to grant-making.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The trust operates a single discretionary grant program with no specified grant size limits or application rounds. Grants are made at the discretion of trustees based on causes and organizations they identify or with which they have existing relationships.
Priority Areas
The trust has exceptionally broad charitable objects: “to further such objects or purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales in any part of the world.” This means the trustees have complete discretion to support:
- Any registered charitable organizations
- Charitable institutions, foundations, and trusts
- Charitable undertakings across all sectors
- Causes in the UK and internationally
The trust does not publish specific priority areas, allowing trustees maximum flexibility to respond to charitable needs as they identify them.
What They Don't Fund
Not publicly specified. As the trust operates on trustee discretion without accepting unsolicited applications, exclusions are not documented.

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Governance and Leadership
Trustees:
- Mr Lindsay Tomlinson (Settlor)
- Mrs Sarah Tomlinson (Settlor)
- Ludlow Trust Company Limited (Corporate Trustee)
Ludlow Trust Company Limited acts as the professional trustee and receives fees for trustee services as authorized under the trust deed. Ludlow Trust Company is a specialist trust services provider established in 2020, managing over 5,000 trusts including more than 275 charitable trusts across the UK.
The trustees meet to review the trust's activities and make decisions on grant awards. One or more trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity for providing services, which is standard practice when corporate trustees are involved.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process.
The Charity Commission register explicitly states: “Trustees Do Not accept any unsolicited applications.”
The trust operates entirely at the discretion of its trustees, who identify and select charitable beneficiaries without accepting applications from organizations seeking funding. Grants are made to institutions, foundations, trusts, individuals, and undertakings “at such time and in such manner as the trustees in their absolute discretion think fit.”
This approach is typical of private family charitable trusts where settlors maintain close control over grant-making decisions, often supporting causes and organizations with which they have personal connections or awareness.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - decisions are made by trustees at their discretion throughout the year rather than to application deadlines.
Success Rates
Not applicable - the trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - no public application process exists.
Application Success Factors
This section is not applicable as The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations cannot apply to this trust for funding.
The trust operates on a fully discretionary basis, with trustees identifying charitable causes and organizations to support based on their own knowledge, interests, and charitable priorities.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application route: This trust cannot be applied to - they identify beneficiaries themselves
- Discretionary grant-making: All grants are made at complete trustee discretion
- Broad charitable purposes: The trust can support any charitable cause, giving trustees maximum flexibility
- Significant resources: With annual grants of £475,000 and an endowment fund of £3.7 million, this is a substantial funder
- Managed by professionals: Ludlow Trust Company provides professional trustee services
- Private family trust: As a family trust, grant decisions likely reflect the personal charitable interests of the Tomlinson family
- Not accessible through Ludlow Gateway: Unlike some other Ludlow-managed trusts, the Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust does not participate in Ludlow's Funding Enquiry Gateway platform
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- The Marcia and Andrew Brown Charitable Trust
- Audrey Earle Charitable Trust
- The Dagny Raymond Charitable Trust
- Thorne Lodge Charitable Trust
- Smith Charitable Trust
- The Hugonin Family Trust
- Outhwaite Charitable Trust
- THE MATHER FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
- The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust
- The George Cadbury Trust (George Henry T and Laurence J Cadbury Sections)
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register: The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1124867).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=1124867
- UK Charity Commission: The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust - Trustees' Report and Financial Statements..
- Ludlow Trust Company Limited: Understanding Charitable Trusts.. https://www.ludlowtrust.com/services/charitable-trusts/
- Ludlow Trust Company Limited: The Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway.. https://www.ludlowtrust.com/insights/the-ludlow-funding-enquiry-gateway/
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust fund?
Grant Programs The trust operates a single discretionary grant program with no specified grant size limits or application rounds. Grants are made at the discretion of trustees based on causes and organizations they identify or with which they have existing relationships.
How much funding does The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust provide?
The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust provides grants ranging from Not publicly specified, with total annual giving of approximately £475,000 (most recent available data).
How do I contact The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust?
Address: c/o Ludlow Trust Company Limited, Tower Wharf, Cheese Lane, Bristol, BS2 0JJ Email: charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.
Is The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust a registered charity?
Yes, The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1124867). They primarily serve organisations in Throughout England And Wales.
How do I apply to The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust?
The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. They typically identify and approach charities they wish to support directly.
Where is The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust based?
The Tomlinson Family Charitable Trust is based in Bristol. They fund organisations in Throughout England And Wales.