The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £369,202 (2024)
• Income: £30,960 (2024)
• Decision Time: No published timeline - decisions at trustee discretion
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: London Borough of Merton

Contact Details

Email: derek.howorth@lta.org.uk

Phone: 07971141316

Address: Copseham Rise, Lynx Hill, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 5AX

Overview

The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust is a long-established grant-making trust founded in 1962 and registered as a charity in 1964. The trust operates as a grant-making charity concentrated on the London Borough of Merton and tennis-related charities. With annual expenditure of approximately £369,202 (2024), the trust significantly exceeds its income of £30,960, drawing on established capital to support its charitable activities. The trust's governing document gives trustees broad discretion to select beneficiaries “for such charity or charities as the trustees shall in their discretion select.” The trust has supported organisations including Polka Theatre in Merton.

It is important to note that whilst The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust (charity number 230033) was established through Vernon Ely's settlement, a separate related charity called The Surrey Lawn Tennis Association Junior Trust (charity number 286344) administers junior tennis grants. That separate trust was established in 1983 with funds from Vernon Ely's charitable settlement and operates its own grant programme for junior tennis players in Surrey.

Funding Priorities

Grant Focus

The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust (230033) focuses on:

• Charitable organisations serving the London Borough of Merton
• Tennis-related charities

Grants to Merton charitable organisations do not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded at the trustees' discretion, likely based on their knowledge of local organisations and needs.

Known Beneficiaries: Polka Theatre (children's theatre in Merton)

Priority Areas

• Cultural and community organisations in the London Borough of Merton
• Tennis-related charitable causes
• Supporting young people and community development

What They Don't Fund

The trust's exclusions are not explicitly documented, but given its focused mandate:

• Organisations outside the London Borough of Merton (except tennis-related charities)
• Individual grant applications (the trust funds charitable organisations, not individuals directly)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Derek Paul Howorth FCA (appointed 2000)
• John Sidney Moyle
• Richard Seymour Main

The trust has three trustees. Derek Howorth's connection to the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) reflects the trust's tennis focus, stemming from the original settlor Vernon Ely's interest in the sport. Howorth also serves as a trustee of The Surrey Lawn Tennis Association Junior Trust (the separate charity that administers junior tennis grants).

The trust was established through a settlement dated 30 October 1962 by the late Vernon Ely, specifically to support charitable causes in Merton and tennis-related activities.

How to Apply to The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust

This charity does not have a public application process. Grants to Merton-based charitable organisations appear to be awarded at the trustees' discretion, likely based on their knowledge of local organisations and needs.

Note on tennis grants for individuals: If you are looking for information about junior tennis player grants in Surrey, these are administered by a separate charity - The Surrey Lawn Tennis Association Junior Trust (charity number 286344). Information about those grants can be found at surrey.tennis/junior-support-grant.

Decision Timeline

No published timeline - decisions made at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The trust does not operate an open application process.

Application Success Factors

For Merton Organisations:

Since there is no public application process, building relationships with the trustees or being active and visible in the Merton charitable sector appears to be the pathway to potential funding. The trust's focus on cultural organisations (as evidenced by support for Polka Theatre) and community development in Merton may be indicative of funding priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made at trustee discretion.

• Merton focus: The trust concentrates on charitable organisations in the London Borough of Merton, particularly cultural and community organisations.

• Relationship-based: Without an application process, funding appears to flow through trustees' knowledge of and connections to the Merton charitable sector.

• Distinct from tennis grants: The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust (230033) is separate from The Surrey Lawn Tennis Association Junior Trust (286344), which administers individual grants to junior tennis players.

• Cultural sector precedent: Support for Polka Theatre indicates interest in cultural organisations serving young people and families in Merton.

• Substantial grant-maker: With annual expenditure of approximately £369,000, this is a significant funder, though grants are not publicly documented.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Rc Sherriff Rosebriars Trust
• Cecil And Hilda Lewis Charitable Trust
• E F And M G Hall Charitable Trust
• The Elaine And Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust
• The Bassil Shippam And Alsford Trust
• The Betty Riseley Trust For Children
• Farnham Round Table Charitable Trust Fund
• Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust
• The Hussey Trust
• Walsingham Care

References

• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 230033: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/230033
• Surrey Tennis - Junior Support Grant: https://www.surrey.tennis/junior-support-grant
• Polka Theatre - Our Supporters: https://polkatheatre.com/join-and-support/our-supporters/
• OpenCharities - The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust: http://opencharities.org/charities/230033
• Charity Commission financial data for year ending April 2024