The Trevor Chinn Charitable Trust No 2

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 264614
• Annual Giving: £187,825 (year ending April 2024)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (discretionary)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide, with particular focus on London and Jewish community causes
• Application Method: No public application process - invitation only/trustee discretion
• Founded: October 6, 1972

Contact Details

Registered Address: 45 Pont Street, London, SW1X 0BD

Administrative Contact:

• Email: charity.correspondence@bdo.co.uk
• Phone: 0207096540

Note: Correspondence is handled through BDO accountants. This trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Trevor Chinn Charitable Trust No 2 is a private discretionary charitable trust established in 1972 by Sir Trevor Edwin Chinn CVO, one of Britain's most prominent philanthropists. The trust operates with complete discretion to select charitable beneficiaries, making grants totaling approximately £188,000 annually despite having a significantly lower income (£47,000), drawing on existing capital reserves. Sir Trevor Chinn, now 90, has devoted seven decades to charitable work spanning Jewish causes, children's healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, and the arts. In November 2024, he received the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour for his service to Israel. The trust reflects his personal philanthropic philosophy rooted in the Jewish concept of “Tzedakah” - charity as a duty and act of righteousness. With just two trustees - Sir Trevor and Maria Wright (appointed 2013) - the trust operates as a vehicle for personal strategic philanthropy rather than an open grant-making foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs. Instead, trustees exercise complete discretion in selecting charitable beneficiaries. The trust's objects state it exists “to apply or allocate the capital and income of the trust for the benefit of such charity or charities as the Trustees may from time to time in their absolute discretion select.”

Known Grant Recipients:

• Marie Curie Cancer Care
• London's Air Ambulance Charity
• Organizations connected to Sir Trevor Chinn's leadership roles

Priority Areas

Based on Sir Trevor Chinn's documented charitable involvement and leadership positions, the trust likely prioritizes:

Healthcare and Medical Causes:

• Children's hospitals and pediatric care (particularly Great Ormond Street Hospital)
• Cancer care and palliative services
• Emergency medical services
• Medical research and healthcare infrastructure

Jewish Causes and Israel:

• United Jewish Israel Appeal (Sir Trevor has been President since 1993)
• Jewish community organizations in the UK
• Social development and poverty alleviation in Israel
• Jewish education and cultural initiatives

Children and Vulnerable People:

• Support for people with learning disabilities and autism (through Norwood)
• Children's welfare and family support services
• Services for vulnerable families experiencing crisis

Education and Youth Development:

• Youth leadership and personal development programs
• Educational access and opportunity
• Skills development for young people

Poverty Alleviation:

• Child poverty initiatives, particularly in London
• Community development in deprived areas
• Economic opportunity programs

Arts and Culture:

• Theater and performing arts
• Visual arts institutions
• Cultural heritage preservation

What They Don't Fund

The trust has not published explicit exclusions, but based on its focused mission and small scale, it is unlikely to fund:

• General operating costs for large established organizations (unless connected to trustee interests)
• Organizations without connection to the trustees' areas of interest
• International work outside Israel
• Non-charitable activities
• Political campaigns (though Sir Trevor personally supports Labour Party causes)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Sir Trevor Edwin Chinn CVO

• Born: July 24, 1935
• British businessman and philanthropist with seven decades of charitable work
• Knighted in 1990 for charitable activities; awarded CVO in 1989
• Received Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour, November 2024

Key Leadership Roles:

• President, United Jewish Israel Appeal (since 1993; Chairman 1973-1993)
• Former President, Norwood (1996-2006)
• Former Chairman, Mayor's Fund for London (2009-2011)
• Former Deputy Chairman, Royal Academy Trust (1995-2004)
• Former Chairman, Friends of Duke of Edinburgh's Award (1979-1988)
• Former Vice-chairman, Wishing Well Appeal for Great Ormond Street Hospital
• Former Chief Barker, Variety Club of Great Britain (1977-1978)
• Co-founder and Vice-president, Jewish Association for Business Ethics

Maria Wright

• Co-trustee since 2013
• Limited public information available

Governance Philosophy

Sir Trevor Chinn has stated: “Charity does not only depend on givers, it also depends on askers.” This reflects his view that effective philanthropy requires both generous donors and well-prepared organizations making compelling cases.

On his approach to giving, Chinn has emphasized the Jewish principle of Tzedakah: “Giving to charity is deeply embedded in Jewish life and teaching. The Hebrew word for charity, Tzedakah, means righteousness, for charity is a duty.”

Governance Structure

• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• No trading subsidiaries
• No employees
• Investment policy: "It is the Trustees' policy to invest surplus funds to protect their capital value whilst producing a reasonable rate of return"
• Administrative support provided through BDO accountants

Governance Concerns:

• Charity reporting has been late on multiple occasions (most recently 132 days overdue)
• No documented conflict of interest policy
• Very static board composition (only two trustees over many years)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Trevor Chinn Charitable Trust No 2 operates as a private discretionary trust where trustees proactively identify and select charitable beneficiaries. The trust's constitutional documents specify that trustees have “absolute discretion” in selecting which charities to support.

Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications. Grants appear to be made to:

1. Organizations where Sir Trevor Chinn holds or has held leadership positions
2. Charities within the trustees' personal networks and areas of interest
3. Causes aligned with the trustees' philanthropic priorities, particularly Jewish community support, healthcare, and children's welfare

Getting on Their Radar

The Trevor Chinn Charitable Trust No 2 makes grants through trustee discretion based on personal knowledge and relationships. Organizations that have received support tend to be those where Sir Trevor Chinn has direct involvement, such as:

Organizations with Direct Chinn Leadership:

• United Jewish Israel Appeal (Chinn is President)
• Organizations where Chinn previously served in leadership roles (Norwood, Royal Academy Trust, Mayor's Fund for London)

Documented Recipients:

• Marie Curie Cancer Care
• London's Air Ambulance Charity
• Great Ormond Street Hospital (through Wishing Well Appeal)

Networking Contexts:

Sir Trevor Chinn is active in:

• Jewish Leadership Council (executive committee member)
• Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM)
• Jewish philanthropic circles in London
• Cultural institutions in London (Royal Academy, theater community)

Organizations seeking to build awareness might consider engaging with causes and networks where Sir Trevor Chinn is known to be active, though there is no guarantee of funding and the trust scale is relatively modest (approximately £188,000 annually).

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the trust does not operate on an application cycle. Grants are made at the trustees' discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - there is no application process, so success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

While this trust does not accept applications, understanding what drives the trustees' giving decisions may be valuable:

Connection to Trustee Priorities:

Organizations that align with Sir Trevor Chinn's documented areas of focus are more likely to receive support:

• Jewish community causes and Israel-related work
• Children's healthcare and welfare
• Support for people with learning disabilities
• Poverty alleviation in London
• Youth development and education
• Arts and cultural institutions

Relationship-Driven Giving:

Grants appear to flow primarily to organizations where trustees have:

• Direct leadership involvement or board positions
• Long-standing personal connections
• Deep knowledge of the organization's work and impact

Chinn's Philanthropic Philosophy:

Sir Trevor has emphasized several principles that guide his giving:

• Tzedakah as duty: Charity is a religious and moral obligation, not optional
• Active engagement: Chinn doesn't just donate money; he involves himself actively in organizations
• Leadership by example: He believes wealthy individuals should give a percentage of income/wealth
• High governance standards: Focus on well-governed organizations with clear impact
• Collaborative approach: Addressing societal challenges requires collective action

Impact Focus:

Based on his documented work:

• Child poverty: “Four of the six most deprived boroughs in Britain are in London” - organizations addressing this may align
• Measurable outcomes: Major campaigns (like raising £5 million for Mayor's Fund) suggest appreciation for tangible results
• Long-term commitment: Many of his involvements span decades, suggesting value for sustainable organizations

Scale and Type:

• The trust has supported both large institutions (Great Ormond Street Hospital) and smaller specialized charities
• Organizations working in the UK Jewish community
• Health charities providing direct services
• Organizations with strong governance and established track records

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. No Public Application Process: This is a private discretionary trust. Organizations cannot submit applications. Funding flows through personal relationships and trustee-identified priorities.

1. Relationship-Driven: Virtually all support appears to go to organizations where Sir Trevor Chinn has direct leadership involvement or strong personal connections. Cold approaches are unlikely to succeed.

1. Jewish Community Focus: As President of United Jewish Israel Appeal and active in numerous Jewish organizations, causes supporting the Jewish community in the UK and Israel are central priorities.

1. Healthcare and Children: Documented grants include Marie Curie Cancer Care and London's Air Ambulance. Chinn's leadership of the Great Ormond Street campaign demonstrates strong commitment to children's health.

1. Modest Scale: With annual grants around £188,000, this is not a major institutional funder. Organizations should view this as a supplementary source if they have genuine trustee connections, not a primary target for fundraising.

1. London Focus: While grants can go UK-wide, there's a particular emphasis on London causes, including poverty alleviation and cultural institutions.

1. Values-Driven: Sir Trevor's philosophy emphasizes Tzedakah (righteous giving), active engagement, high governance standards, and collaborative approaches. Organizations demonstrating these values and allowing donor involvement may be more attractive.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE STELLA AND ALEXANDER MARGULIES CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Jeremy and John Sacher Charitable Trust
• Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust
• The Jacqueline and Michael Gee Charitable Trust
• Sydney and Phyllis Goldberg Memorial Charitable Trust
• THE M D AND S CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Lynne and Nigel Ross Charitable Trust
• THE A M CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Dorfman Foundation
• THE SYBIL SHINE MEMORIAL TRUST

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Trevor Chinn Charitable Trust No 2 (Charity Number 264614)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/264614

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet for 264614

https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=264614

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. Philanthropy Impact - “Sir Trevor Chinn” Profile

https://www.philanthropy-impact.org/why-philanthropy-and-impact-investment/inspiring-stories/sir-trevor-chinn/

Accessed: February 3, 2026

Quote: “Charity does not only depend on givers, it also depends on askers”

Quote: “Giving to charity is deeply embedded in Jewish life and teaching. The Hebrew word for charity, Tzedakah, means righteousness, for charity is a duty”

1. Web search results on Trevor Chinn's charitable leadership roles and organizations supported

Including information about United Jewish Israel Appeal, Norwood, Mayor's Fund for London, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Royal Academy Trust, Duke of Edinburgh Award

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. Information about known grant recipients: Marie Curie Cancer Care and London's Air Ambulance Charity specifically mentioned in connection with The Trevor Chinn Charitable Trust No 2

Accessed: February 3, 2026

• Year ending April 5, 2024: Income £47,432, Expenditure £187,825
• Year ending April 5, 2023: Income £62,000, Expenditure £90,000
• Year ending April 5, 2022: Income £93,000, Expenditure £88,000

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. Trustee information: Sir Trevor Chinn CVO (appointed 1972) and Maria Wright (appointed 2013)

Source: UK Charity Commission Register

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. News of Trevor Chinn receiving Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour in November 2024

Accessed: February 3, 2026