The Tresanton Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £545,831 (FY 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Rolling basis - trustees meet regularly
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £100,000+
• Geographic Focus: National (UK) and International

Contact Details

Address: Birch Hall, Church Road, Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6BN

Email: info@tresantontrust.com

Phone: Not available

Website: The Trust does not maintain a website

Note: The Trust is registered with the UK Charity Commission (Charity Number: 1103150). Further information is available on the Charity Commission website.

Overview

THE TRESANTON TRUST was established by trust deed on 14 November 2003 and registered as a charity in April 2004. The Trust operates as a grant-making charity, providing support to UK registered charities working both domestically and internationally. The Trust's principal source of funding is investment income from the charity's interest in freehold property held by the Hatton Garden Trust. With annual expenditure of approximately £545,831 (FY 2023) and income of £426,576, the Trust adopts a strategic approach to grant-making, specifically providing multi-year funding to a limited number of selected beneficiaries rather than making numerous small one-off grants. Day-to-day management is carried out by two principal trustees who meet regularly to discuss and approve grant expenditure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust provides a limited number of small to medium-sized grants to UK registered charities:

• Grant Range: £10,000 - £100,000+ (some grants exceed £100,000)
• Multiple funding bands available within this range
• Multi-year funding strategy: The Trust specifically focuses on providing extended support to selected beneficiaries
• Application Method: Rolling basis - trustees review requests regularly and accept applications continuously with no closing dates

Priority Areas

The Tresanton Trust funds UK registered charities working in the following areas:

• Children's welfare
• Medical research
• Social justice
• Poverty relief
• Wildlife and environmental protection
• Environment/conservation/heritage
• People with disabilities
• Advancement of health or saving of lives
• Animal welfare
• Overseas aid/famine relief

The Trust supports work in the UK and/or overseas.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Contact the Trust directly for clarification on ineligible activities.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust has four trustees:

• Jerry Lawson (Principal Trustee)
• Shelley Lawson (Principal Trustee)
• Claire Orton
• Silke Meixner-Winkler

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The two principal trustees (Jerry Lawson and Shelley Lawson) manage day-to-day operations, meeting regularly to discuss and approve grant expenditure.

Charitable Purpose

According to the governing document, the Trust exists “for or towards such charitable purposes, and to make donations to such charitable institution or institutions at such time or times and in such manner as the founder may from time to time direct.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Eligibility: UK registered charities only
• Application Method: Rolling basis - no fixed deadlines
• Process: The Trust accepts applications continuously; trustees review requests regularly
• Contact: Applications and enquiries should be directed to info@tresantontrust.com

The Trust does not operate a website or online application portal. For application procedures and requirements, applicants should contact the Trust directly via email or consult the Charity Commission website where full details are registered.

Decision Timeline

• Review Process: Trustees meet regularly to review applications
• Typical Timeline: Not publicly specified; contact the Trust for indicative timescales
• Notification: Applicants should enquire directly about notification methods

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly available.

Financial Year 2023 (ending 30 November 2023):

• Total Income: £426,576
• Total Expenditure: £545,831 (spent on grants and operations)

Financial Year 2022 (ending 30 November 2022):

• Total Income: £430,443
• Total Expenditure: £303,660

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Given the Trust's strategy of providing multi-year funding to selected beneficiaries, successful applicants may receive extended support rather than needing to reapply annually.

Application Success Factors

Key Considerations

1. Multi-year Relationship: The Trust specifically seeks to provide multi-year funding rather than one-off grants, suggesting they value long-term relationships with beneficiaries

1. Limited Portfolio: The Trust provides grants to “a limited number of selected beneficiaries,” indicating a selective approach focused on sustained impact rather than broad distribution

1. Strategic Alignment: Applications should clearly align with one or more of the Trust's priority areas (children's welfare, medical research, social justice, poverty relief, wildlife/environment)

1. Registered Charities Only: Only UK registered charities are eligible; the Trust does not fund individuals or non-charitable organisations

1. UK and Overseas Work: The Trust funds both domestic UK charities and those working internationally, particularly in overseas aid and famine relief

1. Scale of Impact: With grants ranging from £10,000 to over £100,000, the Trust appears to support organisations that can demonstrate significant impact with substantial funding

Tips for Applicants

• Be patient: Without a website or formal application portal, the process may be less structured than larger trusts
• Direct communication: Contact trustees directly to discuss your project before submitting a formal application
• Long-term vision: Emphasize sustainability and long-term impact, given the Trust's preference for multi-year funding
• Clear charitable objectives: Demonstrate clear alignment with the Trust's broad charitable purposes
• Evidence of need: Show why multi-year funding would make a significant difference to your work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multi-year funding focus: The Trust explicitly prioritizes extended support over one-off grants, making it ideal for organisations seeking sustained funding relationships

• Selective grant-making: With a “limited number of selected beneficiaries,” competition is likely high; applications should demonstrate exceptional impact and alignment

• No online presence: The Trust operates without a website, suggesting a more personal, relationship-based approach to grant-making

• Substantial grant sizes: Grants of £10,000 to £100,000+ indicate the Trust targets medium to large-scale projects with significant impact potential

• Broad thematic scope: While focused on specific areas (children, health, environment, social justice), the Trust's wide remit offers flexibility for diverse charitable work

• Rolling applications: No deadlines means you can apply when your project is ready, but also means no predictable decision timetable

• Direct engagement recommended: With principal trustees managing day-to-day operations, building direct relationships may be advantageous

References

• Main register entry: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4006881
• Accessed: November 2025

• https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1103150&subid=0
• Accessed: November 2025

• https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88822
• Accessed: November 2025

• http://opencharities.org/charities/1103150
• Accessed: November 2025

• https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4006881/contact-information
• Accessed: November 2025

Note: Financial data is based on the most recent accounts filed with the UK Charity Commission for financial years ending 30 November 2022 and 30 November 2023. The Trust does not maintain its own website, so all information is derived from statutory filings and third-party charity directories.