The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £158,120 (year ending April 2025)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (meets regularly)
• Grant Range: Under £1,000 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Wiltshire (occasional overseas and non-Wiltshire projects)

Contact Details

• Address: Biddesden House, Biddesden, Andover SP11 9DN
• Email: jonathansutton@dixonwilson.co.uk
• Phone: 020 7680 8122
• Charity Number: 205375

Overview

The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust was founded in 1968 as a grant-making trust focused on supporting registered charities in Wiltshire. Named after Walter Guinness, 1st Baron Moyne (1880-1944), the trust operates from Biddesden House, an 18th-century country house in Wiltshire that was purchased by his son Bryan Guinness in 1931. With total income of £213,252 and expenditure of £158,120 in the year ending April 2025, the trust maintains a steady commitment to local charitable work. The trust is governed by three trustees who serve without remuneration and meets regularly to consider grant requests. While the trust concentrates primarily on Wiltshire-based charities, it occasionally supports overseas projects and charities outside the county.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grants: Under £1,000 - £5,000 (no matched funding requirement)
• Application Method: Rolling basis - applications accepted at any time in writing

Priority Areas

The trust regularly supports charities working in the following areas:

• Children and young people
• Families
• Health
• Older people
• People with a disability
• Prisoners
• Veterans of the Armed Forces

The trust actively seeks applications from charities working in Wiltshire and encourages these organizations to make contact.

What They Don't Fund

The trust does not publicly disclose specific exclusions, though the strong emphasis on Wiltshire-based work suggests applications from organizations without a Wiltshire connection are unlikely to succeed unless exceptional circumstances apply.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by three trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. One identified trustee is:

• Rosaleen Mulji - Appointed 1989 (also serves as trustee for Village Hall, Ludgershall Scouts Hall, and The Friends of Hope)

The trust operates without trading subsidiaries and has no employees earning benefits exceeding £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made at any time in writing to:

The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust

Biddesden House

Biddesden

Andover SP11 9DN

Alternatively, contact via:

• Email: jonathansutton@dixonwilson.co.uk
• Phone: 020 7680 8122

The trust does not appear to have an online application portal or downloadable application form. Written applications should clearly demonstrate:

• The applicant's charitable registration status
• How the organization serves Wiltshire communities
• Which priority beneficiary groups are served
• The specific purpose for which funding is requested
• The grant amount sought (within the £1,000-£5,000 range)

Decision Timeline

The trust meets regularly to consider requests for grant support. Specific meeting dates and decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The trust has not publicly disclosed any restrictions on reapplication following unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's clear geographic focus, applications that demonstrate the following are most likely to succeed:

Geographic Connection: The trust “continues to concentrate on supporting charities working in Wiltshire” and actively wants to hear from these organizations. Applicants should clearly demonstrate their Wiltshire presence and the local impact of their work.

Target Beneficiary Groups: Align your application with the trust's stated priority areas—children and young people, families, health, older people, people with disabilities, prisoners, and veterans of the Armed Forces. The trust has consistently supported these groups.

Appropriate Grant Size: Applications should request funding within the typical range of under £1,000 to £5,000. The trust does not require matched funding, which may make it accessible to smaller charities.

Written Application Quality: Since applications are made in writing without a formal application form, clarity and conciseness are essential. Provide sufficient detail about your organization and project while respecting the trustees' time.

Timing Flexibility: Applications can be made at any time throughout the year, allowing organizations to apply when funding needs arise rather than working to fixed deadlines.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is paramount: This trust prioritizes Wiltshire-based charities and actively seeks applications from them—make your Wiltshire connection clear from the outset
• Modest grant amounts: With a typical range of under £1,000 to £5,000, this is best suited for smaller projects or as part of a mixed funding strategy
• No matched funding requirement: The trust does not require applicants to match the grant, making it accessible for organizations with limited fundraising capacity
• Rolling applications accepted: Unlike many trusts, you can apply at any time rather than working to deadline cycles
• Limited public information: The trust maintains a low profile with minimal public guidance on application criteria—focus on clear alignment with stated priorities
• Established trust with stable giving: Founded in 1968 with consistent annual expenditure around £150,000-£200,000, this is a reliable long-term funding source
• Target beneficiary alignment matters: Ensure your work clearly benefits one or more of their priority groups (children/young people, families, health, older people, people with disabilities, prisoners, veterans)

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Rothley Trust
• The Thomas Sivewright Catto Charitable Settlement
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• John James Bristol Foundation
• P F Charitable Trust
• THE SCREWFIX FOUNDATION
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• Broome Family Charitable Trust
• THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE IAN ASKEW CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Oakdale Trust
• Scouloudi Foundation
• HOMELANDS CHARITABLE TRUST
• Anson Charitable Trust
• The Adint Charitable Trust
• The Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust
• C A Redfern Charitable Foundation
• THE FLORENCE TURNER TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES ROLL CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Charity Commission Register: The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust - 205375
• Bath and North East Somerset Council: The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust Grants
• Find that Charity: GB-CHC-205375
• Charity Choice Directory: The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust
• Accessed: December 2025