The William Brake Foundation

Charity Number: 1023244

Annual Expenditure: £0.7M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £674,759 (2024)
  • Grant Range: £15,000 - £40,000 (based on documented awards)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with international conservation grants
  • Application Process: Family-mediated (no public application process)
  • Established: 1993

Contact Details

Registered Address: Gill Turner Tucker, 2 County Gate, Staceys Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1ST

Email: MICHAEL.TRIGG@ICLOUD.COM

Phone: 01622 759051

Charity Number: 1023244

Overview

The William Brake Foundation was registered as a charity on 28 June 1993 as a family grant-making foundation. Part of the Brake family's philanthropic legacy (alongside the Frank Brake Charitable Trust), the foundation operates as a vehicle for the William Brake Family to channel charitable giving to worthy registered charities. With annual expenditure of £674,759 in the 2024 financial year and income of £254,895, the foundation makes substantial grants across England and Wales, with a particular emphasis on local charities and causes known personally to the family. The foundation has supported high-profile causes including wildlife conservation through the Whitley Fund for Nature, health services such as the Kent MS Therapy Centre, and education through scholarships at the University of West London.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a family-mediated grant-making process rather than formal grant programs. Known funding includes:

  • Conservation Awards: Individual Whitley Awards of £35,000-£40,000 for international wildlife conservation projects
  • Local Health & Social Care: Grants such as £15,000 to Kent MS Therapy Centre for hydrotherapy services
  • Education: William Brake Scholarships at University of West London

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation supports:

  • Wildlife Conservation: International conservation projects, particularly through the Whitley Fund for Nature
  • Local Health Services: Kent-based health and therapy services
  • Education: Scholarships and educational opportunities
  • Local Charities: Emphasis on Kent and South East England organizations
  • Causes with Personal Connection: Charities where family members know the representative

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly documented, though the family-mediated process inherently limits applications to causes championed by William Brake Family members.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Michael John Trigg (Chair) - Also serves as trustee for Frank Brake Charitable Trust and Brogdale Collections
  • Penelope Ann Lang (Trustee)
  • Deborah Jane Isaac (Trustee)
  • Philip Riches Wilson (Trustee) - Also serves as trustee for Frank Brake Charitable Trust

The foundation is governed by 4 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration. The charity maintains up-to-date reporting with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The William Brake Foundation explicitly states that it "invites applications from the William Brake Family for funding of worthy registered charities each year with a particular emphasis on local and other charities where the family knows the charity's representative."

This means that:

  • Only members of the William Brake Family can submit applications on behalf of registered charities
  • The foundation prioritizes charities where family members have personal connections with representatives
  • Applications are reviewed against the family's criteria and funds are released if approved

Charities cannot apply directly to the foundation - instead, funding opportunities arise when a William Brake Family member chooses to champion a particular cause or organization.

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no public application process, the foundation's stated preference is for "local and other charities where the family knows the charity's representative." This suggests that:

  • Local presence in Kent/Maidstone area: The foundation is based in Maidstone, and documented grants include Kent MS Therapy Centre
  • Personal connections matter: Building relationships with individuals who may be connected to the Brake family could be relevant, though this is speculative
  • Trustee connections: Chair Michael John Trigg also serves as trustee for Frank Brake Charitable Trust and Brogdale Collections, suggesting potential interest in heritage/conservation causes

The foundation's support for the Whitley Fund for Nature suggests they may be receptive to conservation causes presented through appropriate family channels.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented. The foundation reviews applications from family members against their criteria on an ongoing basis.

Application Success Factors

Given the family-mediated nature of this foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their documented grants reveals:

  1. Personal Connection is Essential: The foundation explicitly prioritizes "charities where the family knows the charity's representative"
  1. Quality and Impact Over Scale: Grants range from local health services (£15,000 to Kent MS Therapy Centre) to prestigious international conservation awards (£40,000 Whitley Awards), suggesting the family supports causes they believe in regardless of geographic scope
  1. Long-term Partnerships: The foundation has made multiple Whitley Award donations over several years (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021), indicating they value ongoing relationships with causes that align with family values
  1. Local Kent Focus Combined with International Conservation: The documented grants show a dual interest in supporting local Kent services and international wildlife conservation
  1. High-Impact Projects: The Whitley Awards are described as prestigious “Green Oscars” recognizing outstanding grassroots conservation leaders, suggesting the family values demonstrable impact and leadership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Publicly Accessible: This foundation cannot be approached directly by charities - funding flows through William Brake Family members championing specific causes
  • Local and Personal Connections Matter: The foundation explicitly favors local charities and those where family members have personal relationships with representatives
  • Substantial Grant Capacity: With £674,759 in annual expenditure, this is a significant family foundation capable of grants in the £15,000-£40,000 range
  • Conservation and Local Health: Documented grants show particular support for wildlife conservation (Whitley Awards) and local Kent health services
  • Quality Partnerships: Multi-year support for Whitley Fund for Nature indicates the family values ongoing relationships with well-regarded causes
  • Consider Related Trusts: The Frank Brake Charitable Trust (charity number 1023245) operates similarly and shares some trustees, suggesting aligned family philanthropic interests
  • Maidstone/Kent Geography: Based in Maidstone with documented grants to Kent organizations, suggesting regional affinity for South East England causes

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