Three Monkies Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £340,000 (approximate)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed twice yearly
• Grant Range: Small grants (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Grant Duration: Three years
• Geographic Focus: England (primarily), with affordable housing focus in London
• Target Charities: Annual income under £500,000

Contact Details

Website: www.threemonkiestrust.org

Email: info@threemonkiestrust.org

Phone: 020 7116 2285

Overview

Three Monkies Trust was founded in 2015 by Nigel Higgins, Chair of Barclays plc, and his wife, architect Sanya Polescuk. The trust is a family foundation that supports small to medium-sized charities across England through multi-year grants. With annual expenditure of approximately £340,000, the trust focuses on two distinct areas: promoting accessibility to music and the arts for disadvantaged young people, and supporting affordable housing for key workers in London. All grants are structured as three-year commitments, demonstrating the trust's preference for sustained, long-term partnerships rather than one-off funding. The trust operates biannual application rounds and welcomes applications from charities with annual income under £500,000, or for specific programmes of this size within larger organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Three-Year Small Grants Programme

• All grants are payable over three years
• Amount range not publicly disclosed (described as “small grants”)
• Application method: Email submission using provided application form
• Fixed deadlines: Twice yearly (typically May and November)
• Applications currently closed (check website for reopening)

Priority Areas

1. Music and Arts for Disadvantaged Young People

• Promoting advancement and accessibility of music and the arts
• Supporting young musicians, singers, and dancers from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Organisations helping children develop life skills through arts education
• Activities supporting education and building resilience and self-reliance

2. Children and Young People (Under 25)

• Enhancing life chances for those in greatest need
• Alleviating disadvantage for young people
• Practical support for education
• Access to opportunities that increase resilience

3. Affordable Housing for Key Workers (London-based)

• Campaigning for affordable accommodation
• Providing affordable housing for key workers in health, education, and social services
• Supporting the premise that affordable housing is “a pre-requisite to good physical and mental health and wellbeing”

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not detailed on the website. However, the trust's narrow focus suggests they do not fund:

• Organisations outside England (except potentially for housing programmes in London)
• Charities with annual income over £500,000 (unless for a specific programme under this threshold)
• Projects outside their three priority areas
• One-off or short-term projects (given their three-year commitment structure)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Nigel Higgins (Co-Founder) - Chair of Barclays plc
• Sanya Polescuk (Co-Founder) - Architect
• Anna Higgins
• Anton Higgins
• Maja Higgins

The trust is structured as a family foundation with the Higgins family serving as trustees. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Advisor:

• Sheryl Burton - Provides advisory support to the trustees. Burton has extensive experience in the voluntary and local government sectors, specializing in children's social care and health.

The trust operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and has no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted twice yearly with deadlines typically in May and November. The trust operates fixed application rounds and is not currently accepting new applications (as of recent website checks - verify current status before applying).

Application Method:

• Email submissions only to: info@threemonkiestrust.org
• Download and complete the official application form OR
• Submit a concise document of 2-5 pages

Application Requirements:

The application should cover:

1. Brief description of your organisation (current priorities and main activities)
2. Details of the specific project requiring funding
3. Purpose of funding requested
4. Rationale for the project
5. Description of target beneficiaries
6. Project plan and timeline
7. Expected outcomes and impact
8. Full budget breakdown
9. Details of any other funding secured or applied for
10. Plans for project sustainability beyond the grant period

Additional Requirements:

• For charities with annual income over £10,000: Confirmation that accounts have been submitted to the Charity Commission

Key Application Guidance from the Trust:

"Clearly demonstrate the link between your project and Three Monkies' key interest areas" - applications must show explicit alignment with music/arts education for disadvantaged youth, support for children and young people under 25, or affordable housing for key workers in London.

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed twice yearly (typically May and November rounds)
• Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed
• Applicants should expect several weeks minimum between submission deadline and decision notification

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. Historical financial data shows the trust committed approximately £341,250 in grants during 2019, £103,020 in 2018, and made a significant commitment of £295,000 to Sadler's Wells Trust.

Reapplication Policy

The trust's reapplication policy is not explicitly stated on their website. Given they operate biannual rounds, unsuccessful applicants may wish to contact the trust directly to discuss reapplication timelines and whether strengthened applications would be welcomed in future rounds.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Trust Values:

The trust was founded by a family committed to arts accessibility and supporting disadvantaged young people. Applications should demonstrate genuine alignment with these values and show understanding of the barriers facing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Three-Year Sustainability:

Since all grants are structured as three-year commitments, applications must demonstrate:

• Long-term project planning and sustainability
• How the project will develop and deliver impact over three years
• Plans for continuation or sustainability beyond the grant period

Appropriate Organisation Size:

The trust specifically targets small to medium-sized charities (under £500,000 annual income). Applications should explain:

• Why your organisation size makes you well-suited for this support
• How this funding will make a significant difference to your work
• For larger organisations: Why the specific programme qualifies (budget under £500,000)

Clear Project Focus:

Given the 2-5 page application limit, successful applications likely:

• Are concise and well-structured
• Clearly articulate the need and proposed solution
• Provide specific, measurable outcomes
• Include realistic budgets and timelines
• Demonstrate the link to the trust's priority areas explicitly

Focus on Disadvantaged Beneficiaries:

The trust emphasizes supporting those “in the greatest need” and young people from “disadvantaged backgrounds.” Applications should:

• Clearly define the disadvantaged group being served
• Explain barriers this group faces
• Demonstrate how the project addresses these specific barriers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Three-year commitment required: All grants span three years, so projects must be designed for sustained delivery and impact over this period
• Small charity focus: The trust specifically supports organisations with income under £500,000 - this is a key eligibility criterion
• Narrow focus areas: Proposals must clearly align with either music/arts for disadvantaged youth, support for young people under 25, or London-based affordable housing for key workers
• Family foundation: Understanding the trust's origins as a family foundation committed to arts accessibility and reducing disadvantage may help in crafting compelling narratives
• Biannual deadlines: Applications are only accepted twice yearly - plan ahead and ensure you don't miss the window
• Concise applications valued: The 2-5 page limit suggests the trustees value clarity and conciseness over lengthy proposals
• Currently closed: Check the website before preparing an application, as the trust periodically closes to new applications and may have limited capacity

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• MISSES BARRIE CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE CPF TRUST
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust
• THE ERNEST KLEINWORT CHARITABLE TRUST
• StreetSmart - Action for the Homeless
• The Westminster Foundation
• MONDAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation (Forte Charitable Foundation)
• THE LIVEWELL FOUNDATION

References

• Three Monkies Trust official website: www.threemonkiestrust.org
• Three Monkies Trust - How to Apply: https://www.threemonkiestrust.org/how-to-apply/
• Three Monkies Trust - What We Fund: https://www.threemonkiestrust.org/who-we-help/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Three Monkies Trust (Charity No. 1164342): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5066398
• Bath and North East Somerset Council - Three Monkies Trust profile: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/87912